What E03 actually means
The machine thinks the condensed water tank is full, so it has stopped drying until the tank is emptied.
On the condenser drying side, water pulled out of your laundry is collected in a tank rather than always going straight down the drain. When the level sensor says that tank is full, the control board halts the cycle and shows E03 so the water has somewhere to go before drying carries on. Altimo's own instruction is to empty the tank first, and on both models this code appears on that is the fix in the large majority of cases.
What E03 looks like on a Altimo washer dryer
Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Altimo washer dryer, E03 usually shows up as one or more of these:
- Machine door won't open
- Door won't lock or click shut
- Door lock light flashing
- Door stuck shut with the load inside
- Won't start even with the door closed
- Machine not draining
- Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
- Stops mid-cycle full of water
Recognise any of those? That is this fault, and the rest of this page explains what causes it and what you can check yourself.
What usually causes it
- Water collection tank genuinely full after a long drying cycle
- Tank emptied but not pushed fully back into place, so the machine still reads it as full
- Tank left in place for several cycles and overflowing or partly blocked with fluff
- Level sensor or float in the tank sticking or reading incorrectly
- Drain hose kinked or badly routed if the machine has been plumbed to drain directly
What you can safely check yourself
Work through these in order. Anything beyond this — panels off, testing parts, anything to do with the wiring — is an engineer's job, and not one to attempt with the machine plugged in.
- Pull out the water tank, empty it down the sink, and slide it back until it seats properly
- Rinse any fluff or sludge out of the tank while it is out
- Clean the door filter and, where fitted, the heat exchanger / condenser filter \u2014 a clogged one makes the dryer work harder and fill the tank faster
- If the machine drains away to a waste pipe instead, check that hose is not kinked, trapped behind the machine or pushed too far down the standpipe
- Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then switch back on and restart the cycle
Which Altimo models show E03
E03 means the same thing on all 2 of these models. If yours is not listed, the explanation above still applies — the code is set by the control board, not the model number.
ACD812W · AHPD912W
Common questions about Altimo E03
What does E03 mean on a Altimo washer dryer?
The machine thinks the condensed water tank is full, so it has stopped drying until the tank is emptied. On the condenser drying side, water pulled out of your laundry is collected in a tank rather than always going straight down the drain. When the level sensor says that tank is full, the control board halts the cycle and shows E03 so the water has somewhere to go before drying carries on. Altimo's own instruction is to empty the tank first, and on both models this code appears on that is the fix in the large majority of cases.
Can I fix Altimo E03 myself?
There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.
- Pull out the water tank, empty it down the sink, and slide it back until it seats properly.
- Rinse any fluff or sludge out of the tank while it is out.
- Clean the door filter and, where fitted, the heat exchanger / condenser filter \u2014 a clogged one makes the dryer work harder and fill the tank faster.
- If the machine drains away to a waste pipe instead, check that hose is not kinked, trapped behind the machine or pushed too far down the standpipe.
- Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then switch back on and restart the cycle.
This sometimes clears with those checks. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly.
How much does it cost to repair Altimo E03?
£66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
Tried the checks and it's still showing E03?
This sometimes clears with the checks above. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly. Then it wants someone who can open it up.
What it costs, before you call: the price is the same whatever the fault turns out to be — £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
Our own engineers, not a call centre. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire — most washer dryer faults are seen same day or next day.
Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need
Outside our area? The explanation above still stands — take it to a local engineer and tell them the code. Knowing it saves them time and you money.
All Altimo fault codes and repairs →