- Electric mobility
- Electric bicycle
W011
Shimano STEPS W011 on e-bike: speed signal not detected
Risk level
Medium
Proceed carefully and stop if the check is unclear.
Urgency
Medium
Quick answer
On Shimano STEPS e-bikes, warning W011 means the traveling speed cannot be detected and the maximum speed up to which pedal assistance is provided may be lower than usual; visually check the rear wheel magnet and speed sensor. If the warning stays on, contact your bicycle dealer.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Never tamper with the speed sensor or magnet to bypass the assist speed limit or modify the system: Shimano warns never to modify the system and notes that detected tampering puts the drive unit into Safe Mode (E299).
- Always check that the wheels are securely installed before riding, and remove the battery before wiring or attaching any parts to the bicycle.
Safe checks you can perform
- Inspect the rear wheel magnet and speed sensor visually
- Check the triangle alignment mark and 3 to 17 mm sensor clearance
- Turn on the system and check whether W011 clears while rolling
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Reattach or adjust the magnet and speed sensor to Shimano torque specs
- Do not attempt this professional task: Check the drive unit speed sensor port and test with E-TUBE PROJECT
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
Reattach or adjust the magnet and speed sensor to Shimano torque specs
What they doThe mechanic reattaches the special disc brake rotor magnet for SM-DUE11 (sensor bolts tightened to 0.6 N·m) or adjusts SM-DUE10 with its toothed washer or spacer so the clearance is 3 to 17 mm and the magnet center aligns with the triangle symbol (1.5 to 2 N·m).
They must show youthe aligned magnet over the sensor mark and the verified 3 to 17 mm clearance.
In writingthe sensor or magnet adjustment performed and the tightening torque applied.
Check the drive unit speed sensor port and test with E-TUBE PROJECT
What they doIf external alignment does not clear W011 (or W10100), the dealer removes the battery, inspects the speed sensor port connection on the drive unit, runs E-TUBE PROJECT diagnostics, and replaces the speed sensor with a genuine Shimano part if faulty.
They must show youthe E-TUBE PROJECT check result and, if replaced, the genuine Shimano speed sensor installed.
In writingthe fault found in the sensor or wiring, the replacement part reference, and the warranty coverage.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Inspect the rear wheel magnet and speed sensor visually
- Who:
- you, with the bicycle switched off and stationary.
- How:
- look at the left rear chain stay and rear wheel: depending on whether your bike uses the spoke-magnet sensor (SM-DUE10) or the disc-brake-rotor magnet sensor (SM-DUE11), check that the magnet has not come off or rotated out of place.
- Result that matters:
- verifying whether the magnet is still attached and facing the sensor.
- If the magnet is missing or loose:
- take the bicycle to your place of purchase or dealer to have it properly reattached.
- If the magnet is present and tight:
- check its alignment and clearance against the sensor body.
- Evidence to keep:
- photo of the rear wheel magnet and chain stay speed sensor.
Evidence: SHIMANO Total Electric Power System E8000 Series User's Manual (UM-72F0B-001) · SHIMANO STEPS E8000 Series Dealer's Manual (DM-E8000-10) · SHIMANO Total Electric Power System E7000 Series User's Manual (UM-79E0B-000)
Check the triangle alignment mark and 3 to 17 mm sensor clearance
- Who:
- you, by visual inspection without disassembling the brake rotor or drive unit.
- How:
- on the SM-DUE10 speed sensor, Dealer's Manual DM-E8000-10 specifies that the center of the magnet must align over the apex of the triangle symbol on the sensor with a clearance of 3 to 17 mm; wipe away mud with a damp cloth.
- Result that matters:
- confirming whether the magnet passes within the sensor's detection zone.
- If the sensor is knocked out of position or the gap exceeds 17 mm:
- have a dealer adjust it with the proper spacer and torque.
- If alignment and clearance look correct:
- test whether the speed reading returns.
- Evidence to keep:
- photo showing the magnet alignment with the triangle mark and the gap.
Evidence: SHIMANO Total Electric Power System E8000 Series User's Manual (UM-72F0B-001) · SHIMANO STEPS E8000 Series Dealer's Manual (DM-E8000-10)
Turn on the system and check whether W011 clears while rolling
- Who:
- you, on a flat, traffic-free area.
- How:
- switch the power on and roll or pedal gently for a short distance while watching the cycle computer; Shimano's manuals state that if the situation is resolved, the W011 warning indication will disappear.
- Result that matters:
- confirming that the cycle computer detects traveling speed again.
- If the speed display works and W011 disappears:
- normal assist speed is restored.
- If W011 stays on the screen:
- contact your place of purchase or a local bicycle dealer as the user manual instructs.
- Evidence to keep:
- photo of the cycle computer display after the short test roll.
Evidence: SHIMANO Total Electric Power System E8000 Series User's Manual (UM-72F0B-001) · SHIMANO STEPS E8000 Series Dealer's Manual (DM-E8000-10) · SHIMANO Total Electric Power System E7000 Series User's Manual (UM-79E0B-000)
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- Electric mobility
- Brand
- Shimano
- Product type
- Electric bicycle
Known code variants
- advertencia W011 sensor velocidad Shimano
- Shimano E8000 W011
- Shimano EP8 W011
- Shimano speed sensor warning W011
- Shimano STEPS W011
- Shimano W011
- W011
- W101
- W10100
- Warning W011
What it means
Shimano's official error and warning page (si.shimano.com) defines W011 (and its five-digit counterpart W10100) as no bicycle speed signal detected from the speed sensor. In the E8000 Series (UM-72F0B-001, DM-E8000-10) and E7000 Series (UM-79E0B-000) manuals, W011 appears when the traveling speed cannot be detected and lowers the maximum speed at which power assistance is provided. The warning disappears automatically once the issue is resolved. Other drive unit generations may display codes such as W10100 or W292, and seeing W011 alone does not prove the speed sensor is broken: a shifted or missing magnet is the most common cause.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Higheditorial warning
Never tamper with the speed sensor or magnet to bypass the assist speed limit or modify the system: Shimano warns never to modify the system and notes that detected tampering puts the drive unit into Safe Mode (E299).
Evidence: Error & Warning | Manuals & Technical Documents · SHIMANO Total Electric Power System E8000 Series User's Manual (UM-72F0B-001)
- Mediumeditorial warning
Always check that the wheels are securely installed before riding, and remove the battery before wiring or attaching any parts to the bicycle.
Evidence: SHIMANO Total Electric Power System E8000 Series User's Manual (UM-72F0B-001) · SHIMANO STEPS E8000 Series Dealer's Manual (DM-E8000-10)
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Disc brake rotor magnet or spoke magnet has come off or shiftedCommon
Both the E8000 and E7000 manuals explicitly note under W011 that the magnet included with the disc brake rotor may have come off or moved out of alignment.
Evidence: SHIMANO Total Electric Power System E8000 Series User's Manual (UM-72F0B-001) · SHIMANO STEPS E8000 Series Dealer's Manual (DM-E8000-10) · SHIMANO Total Electric Power System E7000 Series User's Manual (UM-79E0B-000)
- Speed sensor installed in the wrong position or with excessive clearancePossible
Shimano's user and dealer manuals list an incorrectly positioned speed sensor (such as SM-DUE10 or SM-DUE11) as a primary reason the traveling speed cannot be detected.
Evidence: SHIMANO Total Electric Power System E8000 Series User's Manual (UM-72F0B-001) · SHIMANO STEPS E8000 Series Dealer's Manual (DM-E8000-10) · SHIMANO Total Electric Power System E7000 Series User's Manual (UM-79E0B-000)
- Loose or damaged speed sensor wire at the drive unit portLess common
If the magnet and sensor alignment are correct but W011 or W10100 remains active, the speed sensor plug at the drive unit's speed sensor port or the sensor cable itself may be disconnected or faulty.
Evidence: Error & Warning | Manuals & Technical Documents · SHIMANO STEPS E8000 Series Dealer's Manual (DM-E8000-10)
Virtual technician
Does W011 still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 1
Error & Warning | Manuals & Technical Documents
Shimano · 2026 · official_doc
- 2
Error y advertencia | Manuales y documentos técnicos
Shimano · 2026 · official_doc
- 3
SHIMANO Total Electric Power System E8000 Series User's Manual (UM-72F0B-001)
Shimano · 2026 · manual
- 4
- 5
SHIMANO STEPS E8000 Series Dealer's Manual (DM-E8000-10)
Shimano · 2026 · manual
- 6
SHIMANO STEPS Serie E8000 Manual del distribuidor (DM-E8000-10)
Shimano · 2026 · manual
- 7
SHIMANO Total Electric Power System E7000 Series User's Manual (UM-79E0B-000)
Shimano · 2026 · manual
- 8
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