New World 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 can't pump the water out, so it has stopped rather than carry on with a drum full of water.

On a New World washing machine, E03 is a drain pump fault. The control board expects the water level to drop once the pump runs, and when it doesn't within the expected time it stops the cycle and shows the code. Most of the time it's a blockage rather than a dead pump.

What E03 looks like on a New World washing machine

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

Blocked pump filter — coins, buttons, hair, fluff
Drain hose kinked, squashed behind the machine or blocked
Drain hose pushed too far into the standpipe, or the sink trap/standpipe blocked
Something jammed in the pump itself, like a bra wire or coin
Failed drain pump or pump wiring fault

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 back on and try a drain or spin programme.
Pull out the filter behind the flap at the bottom front (put towels and a shallow tray down first — expect water) and clear any debris, then refit it hand-tight.
Check the drain hose at the back isn't kinked, trapped or crushed against the wall.
If the hose goes into a sink waste or standpipe, check that outlet isn't blocked — run the tap and see if it drains freely.
Don't overload the drum on the next wash; a very tight load can hold water back.

Which New World models show E03

E03 means the same thing on this model. If yours is not listed, the explanation above still applies — the code is set by the control board, not the model number.

NWWM81400W

Common questions about New World E03

What does E03 mean on a New World washing machine?

The machine can't pump the water out, so it has stopped rather than carry on with a drum full of water. On a New World washing machine, E03 is a drain pump fault. The control board expects the water level to drop once the pump runs, and when it doesn't within the expected time it stops the cycle and shows the code. Most of the time it's a blockage rather than a dead pump.

Can I fix New World E03 myself?

There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then back on and try a drain or spin programme.
Pull out the filter behind the flap at the bottom front (put towels and a shallow tray down first — expect water) and clear any debris, then refit it hand-tight.
Check the drain hose at the back isn't kinked, trapped or crushed against the wall.
If the hose goes into a sink waste or standpipe, check that outlet isn't blocked — run the tap and see if it drains freely.
Don't overload the drum on the next wash; a very tight load can hold water back.

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

How much does it cost to repair New World 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 New World washing machine codes

All New World 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.

New World E03 error — washing machine