Washing Machine
E71
The E71 error code on an AEG washing machine indicates a fault with the NTC temperature sensor, which monitors the water temperature inside the drum. It’s a moderately serious fault — the machine will stop mid-cycle to prevent overheating or cold washing, but it’s often fixable without a costly callout.
What does this error mean?
The E71 code means your AEG washing machine’s control board is receiving an abnormal signal from the NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) sensor — the small probe that measures water temperature throughout the wash cycle. If the sensor reads a temperature that’s outside the expected range, or sends no signal at all, the machine throws E71 and halts. This is a safety measure to prevent the machine from boiling your laundry or running a cold wash without alerting you.
Est. repair cost
£10–£25 DIY (NTC sensor part only); £80–£150 professional repair (sensor or wiring); £150–£250+ if PCB replacement is needed
🔍 Likely causes
🛠️ Step-by-step fix
Reset the machine: Switch it off at the mains, leave it unplugged for 5 minutes, then power it back on and try a new cycle. A power surge or temporary glitch can trigger E71 and a hard reset often clears it.
Check for an overloaded drum: Remove some laundry, redistribute the load evenly, and restart. An unbalanced load rarely causes E71 directly, but confirming it rules out coincidental faults.
Inspect the filter and pump area: A blocked pump filter can sometimes cause incorrect cycle behaviour. Unscrew the filter (bottom-right panel on most AEG models), clear any debris, and retest.
Locate and inspect the NTC sensor wiring: The NTC sensor sits on the heating element assembly at the bottom-rear of the drum. With the machine unplugged, remove the back panel and check the two-wire connector on the sensor for corrosion, looseness, or visible damage. Reseat the connector firmly.
Test or replace the NTC sensor: NTC sensors are inexpensive (£10–£25 for an AEG-compatible part from UK suppliers such as eSpares or 4ourhouse). Use a multimeter set to resistance (Ω) — at room temperature a healthy AEG NTC sensor typically reads around 10–20 kΩ. A reading of zero or infinity confirms a failed sensor. Replacing it involves two screws and a single connector — a manageable DIY task.
If the sensor tests fine but E71 persists, the fault likely lies with the wiring harness or PCB — stop DIY here and call an engineer, as PCB diagnosis requires specialist equipment.
📞 When to call a professional
Call a qualified appliance engineer if the NTC sensor tests healthy on a multimeter but the E71 error still appears — this points to a wiring harness break or a faulty control board (PCB), neither of which is safe or practical to diagnose without specialist tools. When you call, tell the engineer: ‘My AEG washing machine is showing error code E71, the NTC sensor has been checked and appears functional.’ This will save time and potentially reduce the callout diagnosis fee.
⚖️ Repair or replace?
If it’s just the NTC sensor, a DIY fix costs £10–£25 in parts and under an hour of your time — well worth doing. A professional repair including labour typically runs £80–£150 depending on your region. If your machine is over 8–10 years old and the PCB is at fault (£150–£250+ to replace professionally), weigh that against a new mid-range AEG or equivalent washing machine at £400–£600 — replacement often makes more financial sense at that point.