What E03 actually means
The dishwasher has tried to pump the water out and hasn't managed it in the time allowed, so it has stopped with the water still in the tub.
On Ariston/Hotpoint-Ariston machines this is a drain failure or drain timeout — the control board expects the sump to be empty within a set period and the water level sensor is still telling it there is water present. It halts the cycle rather than carrying on, which is why you usually open the door to standing water and wet dishes. Either something is obstructing the flow out of the machine, or the drain pump isn't shifting water properly.
What E03 looks like on a Ariston dishwasher
Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Ariston dishwasher, E03 usually shows up as one or more of these:
- Dishwasher 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
- Dishwasher not draining
- Water left in the tub 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
- Blocked or clogged filter and sump area at the bottom of the tub
- Kinked, trapped or blocked drain hose behind the machine
- Debris — glass, fruit stones, labels — jamming the drain pump impeller
- Blocked sink waste or a spigot on the waste pipe that was never knocked through after installation
- Failed drain pump
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.
- Scoop or sponge the standing water out of the tub so you can see what you're dealing with.
- Take out the filter assembly at the bottom, rinse it under the tap and clear any food, glass or grit from the recess underneath it.
- Look behind the machine and make sure the drain hose isn't kinked, squashed against the wall or pushed too far down into the waste pipe.
- If the dishwasher drains into the same waste as the sink, check the sink itself is draining freely — a blocked trap will stop the dishwasher too.
- Turn it off at the wall for a minute, switch back on and run a rinse or short cycle to see if the code returns.
Common questions about Ariston E03
What does E03 mean on a Ariston dishwasher?
The dishwasher has tried to pump the water out and hasn't managed it in the time allowed, so it has stopped with the water still in the tub. On Ariston/Hotpoint-Ariston machines this is a drain failure or drain timeout — the control board expects the sump to be empty within a set period and the water level sensor is still telling it there is water present. It halts the cycle rather than carrying on, which is why you usually open the door to standing water and wet dishes. Either something is obstructing the flow out of the machine, or the drain pump isn't shifting water properly.
Can I fix Ariston E03 myself?
There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.
- Scoop or sponge the standing water out of the tub so you can see what you're dealing with.
- Take out the filter assembly at the bottom, rinse it under the tap and clear any food, glass or grit from the recess underneath it.
- Look behind the machine and make sure the drain hose isn't kinked, squashed against the wall or pushed too far down into the waste pipe.
- If the dishwasher drains into the same waste as the sink, check the sink itself is draining freely — a blocked trap will stop the dishwasher too.
- Turn it off at the wall for a minute, switch back on and run a rinse or short cycle to see if the code returns.
This sometimes clears with those checks. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly.
How much does it cost to repair Ariston 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 dishwasher 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.
Other Ariston dishwasher codes
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