Washer will not fill with water, E1 displayed shortly after start

Safety first: Unplug the washer and close the water taps before working on hoses or valves.

• Check water supply: Ensure both hot and cold taps feeding the Defy washer are fully open and that household water pressure is normal. Try another tap in the house to confirm pressure.
• Inspect inlet hoses: Pull the washer forward, close taps, then disconnect the inlet hoses from the rear of the machine. Check for kinks, internal collapse, or freezing. Straighten or replace if damaged.
• Clean inlet filters: At the connection points on the Defy water inlet valve, remove the small mesh filters using needle-nose pliers. Rinse under running water and scrub gently with a soft brush to remove grit or limescale. Refit filters and reconnect hoses firmly.
• Test fill: Open taps, plug the washer back in, and run a quick wash or rinse cycle. If E1 persists, the inlet valve coil or pressure sensor may be faulty.
• Advanced check (for skilled users): With power disconnected, remove the top cover, locate the water inlet valve assembly, and test coil resistance with a multimeter. If open-circuit or very high resistance, replace the valve assembly. If the tub never registers water level despite filling, the pressure sensor and its small air hose may need inspection or replacement.

If you are not comfortable testing live circuits or removing panels, contact a qualified Defy service technician.