Candy 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 machine tried to pump the water out, didn't manage it in the time allowed, and has stopped with a drum still holding water.

On Candy washers the control board gives the drain pump a set window to empty the tub and clear the pressure switch. If the water level hasn't dropped in that time, it abandons the cycle and shows E03 — usually part way through, at the end of a wash or before the spin, so you're left with standing water and sopping laundry. It is a flow problem, not a wash problem: the machine has no way of knowing whether the pump has failed or the water simply can't get away.

What E03 looks like on a Candy washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Candy washing machine, 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

Blocked pump filter — coins, hair grips, buttons or fluff
Kinked, trapped or badly routed drain hose
Blockage in the sink trap or standpipe the hose empties into
Worn or jammed drain pump, often with something wound round the impeller
Faulty pressure switch or its air trap, so the board never sees the level fall
Wiring fault between the pump and the control board

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 and put a towel and a shallow tray down before doing anything — there is water sitting in the drum.
Open the small hatch at the bottom front, drain off through the emergency hose if there is one, then unscrew and clean the pump filter. Check the empty housing for coins or debris and that the impeller you can see turns freely by hand.
Follow the drain hose from the back of the machine and straighten out any kinks or crushed sections. Make sure it isn't pushed too far down the standpipe.
If the hose empties into a sink trap or spigot, check that outlet isn't blocked with grease — run the tap and see if the sink drains freely.
Leave it off at the wall for a minute, then power up and select a drain or spin programme to see if it clears.

Common questions about Candy E03

What does E03 mean on a Candy washing machine?

The machine tried to pump the water out, didn't manage it in the time allowed, and has stopped with a drum still holding water. On Candy washers the control board gives the drain pump a set window to empty the tub and clear the pressure switch. If the water level hasn't dropped in that time, it abandons the cycle and shows E03 — usually part way through, at the end of a wash or before the spin, so you're left with standing water and sopping laundry. It is a flow problem, not a wash problem: the machine has no way of knowing whether the pump has failed or the water simply can't get away.

Can I fix Candy E03 myself?

There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall and put a towel and a shallow tray down before doing anything — there is water sitting in the drum.
Open the small hatch at the bottom front, drain off through the emergency hose if there is one, then unscrew and clean the pump filter. Check the empty housing for coins or debris and that the impeller you can see turns freely by hand.
Follow the drain hose from the back of the machine and straighten out any kinks or crushed sections. Make sure it isn't pushed too far down the standpipe.
If the hose empties into a sink trap or spigot, check that outlet isn't blocked with grease — run the tap and see if the sink drains freely.
Leave it off at the wall for a minute, then power up and select a drain or spin programme to see if it clears.

This sometimes clears with those checks. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly.

How much does it cost to repair Candy 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 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 Candy washing machine codes

All Candy 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.

Candy E03 error — washing machine