E18 Arçelik washing machine E18 error: unbalanced load

What it means

According to Arçelik, error E18 means the programme ended without spinning because of an unbalanced load: the laundry was spread unevenly around the drum, so the machine did not spin to avoid damage from vibration.

The usual cause is a very small load or items that have bunched up. You can usually fix it yourself.

Likely causes

Possible causes:

• too little laundry — one or two items cannot spread evenly around the drum;
• the laundry has bunched up, for example small items inside a duvet cover;
• a single heavy item — a duvet, a jacket, a rug;
• the machine is not level;
• less often, worn shock absorbers, springs or bearings.

Safe steps you can try

1. Check the amount of laundry. If the load is small, Arçelik advises adding more items.
2. If the load is normal, take the laundry out and spread it evenly around the drum; untangle bunched items and anything caught inside a duvet cover.
3. Add a few towels to a single heavy item.
4. Make sure the machine is level and does not rock; adjust the feet if needed.
5. Start the spin again.

When to call a technician

If E18 appears with a normal, evenly spread load, the machine bangs during the spin or the drum is loose, the laundry is not the cause.

The technician will check the shock absorbers, springs, bearings and the motor speed sensor and fix the fault.