Shimano STEPS error E050: Abnormal speed signal from wheel sensor
The drive unit has lost a reliable speed reading from the rear-wheel speed sensor, which is why some older displays show the same fault as E014. With no valid speed input the system cuts motor assist and disables walk-assist, even though the bike still powers on. The screen typically shows 0 km/h or freezes the speed value while the error is active.
| Drive system | Shimano STEPS (E5000, E6100, E7000, E8000, EP6, EP801) |
| Severity | Fix at home |
| Keep riding? | Ride with caution |
| Typical cost | A replacement Shimano speed sensor typically costs €20–€45 as a part, with dealer inspection and refit bringing a typical job to roughly €60–€150 including labour. |
Likely causes
- Spoke magnet missing, slipped out of position or fitted on a non-magnetic spoke nut.
- Magnet-to-sensor air gap too wide (usually needs to sit within a few millimetres of the sensor face).
- Speed sensor cable chafed against the chainstay or pinched at the dropout.
- Sensor connector loose, contaminated with mud, or showing green corrosion from water ingress.
- Sensor housing cracked after a wheel removal or a side impact.
- Drive unit firmware unable to recognise the sensor signal after a battery or firmware event.
How to fix Shimano STEPS error E050
- Switch the system off and remove the battery before any inspection.
- Locate the speed sensor on the left chainstay near the rear dropout and the matching spoke magnet on the rear disc side of the wheel.
- Confirm the magnet is in place, the correct way round, and the gap to the sensor face is roughly 3–5 mm; adjust by sliding the magnet on its spoke mount or loosening the sensor bolt.
- Unplug the sensor connector, clean any dirt or moisture, dry the pins, and refit it firmly; inspect the cable along the chainstay for cuts or pinch marks.
- Refit the battery, power on and spin the wheel by hand to check the speed reading updates before a short test ride.
- If E050 returns, the sensor itself or the harness is likely faulty and a Shimano dealer should run a diagnostic with the E-Tube Project software.
Warranty: A genuine speed sensor or harness failure inside the two-year Shimano warranty is normally covered as a manufacturing fault, while crash damage, water ingress and magnet loss caused by the rider are treated as wear and not covered.
Typical cost: A replacement Shimano speed sensor typically costs €20–€45 as a part, with dealer inspection and refit bringing a typical job to roughly €60–€150 including labour.
Frequently asked
Can I reset Shimano error E050?
A standard power cycle (system off, battery out for 30 seconds, then back on) often clears E050 if the cause was a momentary signal loss. If the code returns straight away, the magnet, gap, cable or sensor still need physical inspection before any reset will hold.
Is it safe to keep riding with E050?
The bike is safe to pedal unassisted because the motor is simply switched off and the brakes remain normal. Riding under power is not advisable, since the system cannot read speed and walk-assist is disabled, so any restart of assist may behave unpredictably.
How much will E050 cost to fix and is it warranty?
If it turns out to be a magnet adjustment done at home, the cost is effectively zero beyond a few minutes of work. A dealer-fit sensor usually lands at €60–€150, and on a bike under two years old with a genuine component failure Shimano will normally cover the part under warranty.
Related Shimano STEPS codes
Manuals and video
Official source: si.shimano.com
Not an official Shimano STEPS document. Compiled from workshop experience and public service information; details can differ per system version and bike brand.