Blomberg E03 washing machine: what it means & what to check

Stop using it for now. Carrying on with this fault risks further damage or a leak. Switch it off at the wall until it has been looked at.

What E03 actually means

The control board has spotted that the heating element is staying switched on when it shouldn't be, so the machine stops heating altogether to protect you and the load.

On these Blomberg models the board watches the heater circuit and expects to be able to switch it off between temperature steps. E03 is logged when the heater appears to be permanently live — the classic warning sign owners describe is water that seems to be boiling and laundry coming out very hot and looking worn. Once the fault is stored, the machine drops to a cold wash and finishes the programme without bringing the heater in at all, so you may notice washing coming out cold rather than hot.

What E03 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, E03 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Not heating the water
Washing coming out cold
Cycle takes far longer than it should
No function at all
Dead — nothing lights up
Lights flashing and nothing happening
Programme won't start
Machine tripping the electrics

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

The heater switching circuit on the main control board stuck in the 'on' state
Damage or scorching on the board around the heater connector
A short in the heater wiring or its connector at the board
A failed heating element that is drawing current permanently

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.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then switch back on and start a short cycle to see whether the code returns
Note whether the wash is running cold and whether the drum ever gets warm — that information helps the engineer confirm the fault

Which Blomberg models show E03

E03 means the same thing on all 9 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 · 7153341200 · 7166382200 · 7170881500 · 7171884000 · 7173581400 · 7174182800 · 7174184000 · 7178381300

Common questions about Blomberg E03

What does E03 mean on a Blomberg washing machine?

The control board has spotted that the heating element is staying switched on when it shouldn't be, so the machine stops heating altogether to protect you and the load. On these Blomberg models the board watches the heater circuit and expects to be able to switch it off between temperature steps. E03 is logged when the heater appears to be permanently live — the classic warning sign owners describe is water that seems to be boiling and laundry coming out very hot and looking worn. Once the fault is stored, the machine drops to a cold wash and finishes the programme without bringing the heater in at all, so you may notice washing coming out cold rather than hot.

Can I fix Blomberg E03 myself?

There are 2 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then switch back on and start a short cycle to see whether the code returns.
Note whether the wash is running cold and whether the drum ever gets warm — that information helps the engineer confirm the fault.

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.

How much does it cost to repair Blomberg 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 one usually needs an engineer once you have tried the checks above. 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 E03 error — washing machine