Hoover 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 hasn't managed to empty the water out within the time it allows, so it has stopped with the drum still full.

On Hoover (and Candy) washers the control board gives the drain phase a set window to clear the water. If the pressure system still reports water in the drum when that time runs out, the cycle halts and E03 appears that won't unlock and clothes sitting in dirty water. Nine times out of ten the water is blocked on its way out rather than the pump being dead.

What E03 looks like on a Hoover washing machine

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

Machine not draining
Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
Stops mid-cycle full of water
Standing water in the bottom
Overfilling, or won't stop filling
Stops with water still inside
Fills and drains over and over
No function at all

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, buttons, hair and fluff trapped at the front
Drain hose kinked, crushed behind the machine or pushed too far down the standpipe
Blockage in the sink trap or standpipe the hose empties into (the 'wall discharge')
Drain pump worn out, jammed or noisy but not shifting water
Faulty pressure switch or wiring, so the board never sees the drum empty

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 try a spin or drain programme on its own.
Bail out or drain the water using the filter access at the bottom front (have towels and a shallow tray ready), then clean the filter and its housing thoroughly.
Pull the machine forward and check the drain hose isn't kinked, trapped or squashed against the wall.
If the hose goes into a sink waste or standpipe, check that isn't blocked a slow-draining sink is a strong clue.
Make sure the hose end isn't pushed too far down the standpipe, which can siphon and confuse the drain phase.

Common questions about Hoover E03

What does E03 mean on a Hoover washing machine?

The machine hasn't managed to empty the water out within the time it allows, so it has stopped with the drum still full. On Hoover (and Candy) washers the control board gives the drain phase a set window to clear the water. If the pressure system still reports water in the drum when that time runs out, the cycle halts and E03 appears that won't unlock and clothes sitting in dirty water. Nine times out of ten the water is blocked on its way out rather than the pump being dead.

Can I fix Hoover E03 myself?

There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then try a spin or drain programme on its own.
Bail out or drain the water using the filter access at the bottom front (have towels and a shallow tray ready), then clean the filter and its housing thoroughly.
Pull the machine forward and check the drain hose isn't kinked, trapped or squashed against the wall.
If the hose goes into a sink waste or standpipe, check that isn't blocked a slow-draining sink is a strong clue.
Make sure the hose end isn't pushed too far down the standpipe, which can siphon and confuse the drain phase.

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

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

All Hoover 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.

Hoover E03 error — washing machine