Electrolux E03 dishwasher: what it means & what to check

What E03 actually means

The water in the machine isn't reaching the temperature the programme asked for, so the dishwasher halts and flags a heating fault.

During the wash the control board watches the water temperature climb as the heater works. If it doesn't reach the target within the expected part of the cycle, the machine reports E03 rather than carry on indefinitely. In practice you'll often see a cycle that finishes but leaves cool, greasy dishes and a lot of moisture still in the tub, because without hot water the detergent never works properly and there's no residual heat to help drying.

What E03 looks like on a Electrolux dishwasher

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Electrolux dishwasher, E03 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Dishwasher not draining
Water left in the tub at the end of the cycle
Stops mid-cycle full of water
Standing water in the bottom
Not filling with water
No water going in
Takes for ever to fill
Stops right at the start of the cycle

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

A failed heating element, which is what it usually turns out to be
The temperature sensor (NTC) reading wrongly, so the board never sees the heat
A faulty heating relay on the main control board
Damaged wiring or a poor connection to the heater circuit
Very heavy limescale or debris around the heating area restricting water flow

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 dishwasher off at the wall for a minute, then switch back on and run a short programme — occasionally the code is a one-off reading
Clean the filters in the base of the tub and clear the spray arm holes, so water is circulating freely past the heater
Check the programme you selected actually has a heated wash and drying phase — an eco or cold rinse cycle will always leave dishes cool
Make sure the drain hose isn't kinked and the machine is filling and emptying normally

Which Electrolux models show E03

E03 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.

CSA47230UW · EAI6HD57U0 · ESL2500RO · KL52C200S

Common questions about Electrolux E03

What does E03 mean on a Electrolux dishwasher?

The water in the machine isn't reaching the temperature the programme asked for, so the dishwasher halts and flags a heating fault. During the wash the control board watches the water temperature climb as the heater works. If it doesn't reach the target within the expected part of the cycle, the machine reports E03 rather than carry on indefinitely. In practice you'll often see a cycle that finishes but leaves cool, greasy dishes and a lot of moisture still in the tub, because without hot water the detergent never works properly and there's no residual heat to help drying.

Can I fix Electrolux E03 myself?

There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the dishwasher off at the wall for a minute, then switch back on and run a short programme — occasionally the code is a one-off reading.
Clean the filters in the base of the tub and clear the spray arm holes, so water is circulating freely past the heater.
Check the programme you selected actually has a heated wash and drying phase — an eco or cold rinse cycle will always leave dishes cool.
Make sure the drain hose isn't kinked and the machine is filling and emptying normally.

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

How much does it cost to repair Electrolux 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 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 Electrolux dishwasher codes

All Electrolux 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.

Electrolux E03 error — dishwasher