Blomberg C03 washing machine: what it means & what to check

What C03 actually means

This isn't a fault at all — it's the three-second countdown the display shows while you're holding the button to switch the child lock on or off.

Hold the auxiliary function button(s) down and the display counts C03, C02, C01 as the three seconds pass. At the end it shows that the child lock is now active, or "COF" if you have turned it off. If you only see C03 flash up and nothing changes, you let go of the button too early.

What C03 looks like on a Blomberg washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Blomberg washing machine, C03 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
C03 flashing on the display
Beeping and showing C03

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

Someone holding the auxiliary function button and setting the child lock on purpose
Buttons pressed accidentally, or by a child, long enough to start the countdown
The button released before the full three seconds, so the lock never engaged or never cleared
Confusion with a real fault code, because C03 looks like one

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.

Hold the 1st and 2nd auxiliary function buttons together for a full three seconds to cancel the child lock — you should see the countdown, then "COF"
If no programme is running, use the same press-and-hold; the machine will confirm on the display when the lock clears
If the lock is on, expect the machine to ignore button presses and the programme dial, and to flash the first two auxiliary function button lights — that's normal, not a breakdown
If you're unsure whether the lock is on, turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then check the display again

Which Blomberg models show C03

C03 means the same thing on all 4 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.

7100541100 · 7166382200 · 7170881500 · 7173581400

Common questions about Blomberg C03

What does C03 mean on a Blomberg washing machine?

This isn't a fault at all — it's the three-second countdown the display shows while you're holding the button to switch the child lock on or off. Hold the auxiliary function button(s) down and the display counts C03, C02, C01 as the three seconds pass. At the end it shows that the child lock is now active, or "COF" if you have turned it off. If you only see C03 flash up and nothing changes, you let go of the button too early.

Can I fix Blomberg C03 myself?

There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Hold the 1st and 2nd auxiliary function buttons together for a full three seconds to cancel the child lock — you should see the countdown, then "COF".
If no programme is running, use the same press-and-hold; the machine will confirm on the display when the lock clears.
If the lock is on, expect the machine to ignore button presses and the programme dial, and to flash the first two auxiliary function button lights — that's normal, not a breakdown.
If you're unsure whether the lock is on, turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then check the display again.

This often clears with those checks, and rarely needs an engineer.

How much does it cost to repair Blomberg C03?

£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 C03?

This often clears with the checks above, and rarely needs an engineer. 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 washing machine 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 Blomberg washing machine codes

All Blomberg fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

Repairs we cover near you

Written by the engineers at ASAP Repairs, 0115 648 0929. We repair these machines for a living in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

Blomberg C03 error — washing machine