The E16 error code on a Hoover washing machine indicates that the heating element has failed to heat the water up during a wash cycle.
This can mean that the heating element is faulty and needs to be replaced with a new one or the wires/control board are failing to provide power to the heater.
Just before we go into what could be causing this problem, it’s important that you unplug your washing machine and isolate it from the power before inspecting or replacing any faulty parts.
So, let’s take a look at what causes the E16 fault code on a Hoover washer.
Check the wiring going to the heating element
The heating element on your washing machine is powered by two cables that have spade connectors that attach to the heater prongs.
If the wires have become damaged or have burned away, then the heater won’t receive any power from the control board.
Most of the time it’s pretty obvious if the wires have burned out when you take a look at the heater.
Make sure that the cables haven’t gotten trapped or kinked from a previous repair or from when the machine has been shaking around during a spin cycle.
If you find that the wiring is faulty then you have two options:
- Repair the wiring – This is much easier to do if the end of the wire has broken as you can just crimp a new spade connector to the end of the wire
- Replace the entire or part of the wiring loom with a new one – This is usually much more expensive than repairing the existing wiring
Try replacing the heating element
A common problem with Hoover washing machines is the heating element failing.
This can cause all kinds of different faults with your washer including error codes, poor wash cycles and electrical problems.
If your washer has been tripping the electrics recently, there’s a good chance that it was caused by a heating element with low electrical insulation. This is when the electricity is escaping from the heating element.
If you have access to an electrical multimeter you can test for low insulation and an open circuit on a heating element. This is the easiest way to diagnose the E16 error code.
Luckily, Hoover washing machine heating elements are fairly cheap to replace and they are a straightforward repair.
You can often replace the heating element on a washing machine for less than £20 depending on the make and model.
You can use the model number of your machine to match up the correct spare part on online appliance spare part retail stores.
Take a look at the printed circuit board
The final thing that you should do to fix the E16 fault code is to inspect the main printed circuit board.
The control board is responsible for directing and proving power to the different parts of a washing machine and they can often fail.
Because circuit boards don’t have an operating life span like other parts of a machine such as the drum bearings or the drain pump, they can fail at any time during their life.
When you’re inspecting a control board for failure, you should be looking for a few things:
- Look for any loose cables or plugs that might have shaken off during a spin cycle
- Make sure that there aren’t any burn or blow marks on the control board – These look like small black scorch marks and indicate that the board has had an electrical short
- Look for any water damage – If your washer is under your worktop or near a water supply then it might have gotten wet
If you do find that the circuit board needs replacing, it might be better to replace the machine depending on the model.
Hoover washing machine control boards need to be programmed for the specific model of machine and this can only be done by Hoover themselves.
If you are lucky you might find an online retailer that offers preprogrammed control modules or a second hand one from a machine with another fault.
Summary
Just to conclude everything that we have discussed, this is what you should be looking out for when your Hoover washing machine has an E16 error code:
- Make sure that the wires that go from the control board to the heating element are in good condition – faulty wires will stop power from reaching the heating element
- If the wiring looks good, you should be looking into replacing the heating element – Hoover washing machine heaters fail regularly but luckily, they are economical to replace
- If the control board has failed, then it will cause all kinds of faults including the E16 fault code – The control board might not be sending power down to the heater during a wash cycle
Hoover washing machine control modules are typically expensive in comparison to the value of the machine. This means it can sometimes be better to replace the machine with a new one.
If you need any more information about Hoover washing machine error codes, then you can go and check out our handy list which includes what the codes mean and a brief checklist of things to check.
