What SE actually means
The dishwasher's control board has found that its own stored settings no longer add up, so it has stopped rather than run a cycle it can't trust.
Every time it powers up, the control board runs a checksum on the programme parameters held in its memory. If that check fails, the board flags SE, blinks the lights on the panel and refuses to continue — on display models you see the letters, on models without a display all the indicator lights flash together. This isn't a water, drainage or heating problem; it's the board's own configuration data that's at fault, so no amount of reloading the machine will clear it.
What SE looks like on a Montpellier dishwasher
Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Montpellier dishwasher, SE 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
- Dishes coming out cold and wet
- Not drying the load
- Water not heating up
- 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
- Corrupted programme data in the control board's memory
- A power surge, brownout or sudden loss of supply mid-cycle
- A board that has been replaced or reprogrammed and not correctly configured for the model
- A failing control board that can no longer hold its settings reliably
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 socket or isolating switch, leave it for a minute, then switch back on — a clean restart occasionally clears a one-off corruption
- Make sure it isn't running through an extension lead or a shared socket that could be causing dips in supply
Which Montpellier models show SE
SE means the same thing on all 18 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.
MAB1353C · MAB1353DC · MAB1353K · MAB1353R · MAB6015C · MAB6015K · MAB6015R · MDI600 · MDI605 · MDI655K · MDI655W · MDI655X · MDI705 · MDWBI4553 · MDWBI6095 · MDWBID4553 · MDWBID6053 · MDWBID6064
Common questions about Montpellier SE
What does SE mean on a Montpellier dishwasher?
The dishwasher's control board has found that its own stored settings no longer add up, so it has stopped rather than run a cycle it can't trust. Every time it powers up, the control board runs a checksum on the programme parameters held in its memory. If that check fails, the board flags SE, blinks the lights on the panel and refuses to continue — on display models you see the letters, on models without a display all the indicator lights flash together. This isn't a water, drainage or heating problem; it's the board's own configuration data that's at fault, so no amount of reloading the machine will clear it.
Can I fix Montpellier SE myself?
There are 2 checks you can safely do yourself first.
- Turn the dishwasher off at the wall socket or isolating switch, leave it for a minute, then switch back on — a clean restart occasionally clears a one-off corruption.
- Make sure it isn't running through an extension lead or a shared socket that could be causing dips in supply.
This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.
How much does it cost to repair Montpellier SE?
£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 SE?
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 Montpellier dishwasher codes
- Montpellier F00 — The dishwasher has decided there is too much water inside it…
- Montpellier F01 — The dishwasher thinks water is escaping where it shouldn't, …
- Montpellier F02 — The dishwasher can see water still flowing into it at a mome…
- Montpellier F03 — The dishwasher has started to fill but isn't seeing water ac…
- Montpellier F04 — The dishwasher tried to fill but the flow meter — the little…
- Montpellier F05 — The dishwasher isn't getting the water it expects, or the wa…
- Montpellier F06 — The dishwasher has decided the water in the tub has got too …
- Montpellier F07 — The dishwasher has detected that the water inside has got ho…
All Montpellier fault codes and repairs →