What E03 actually means
The machine has tried to pump the water out and hasn't managed it, so it has stopped with a drain pump fault.
Servis lists E03 as a pump error, and it's one of the handful of codes the machine is allowed to show the user rather than keeping to itself. The control board switches the drain pump on and expects the water level to fall; if it doesn't drop as expected, or the pump isn't drawing as it should, the cycle halts with E03. You'll usually find it at the end of a wash or before the spin, with water still sitting in the drum and the clothes soaked.
What E03 looks like on a Servis washer dryer
Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Servis washer dryer, 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
- A blocked pump filter — coins, buttons, hair grips and fluff are the usual culprits
- The drain hose kinked, crushed behind the machine or pushed too far down the standpipe
- A blockage in the standpipe or under the sink trap where the hose connects
- Worn or seized drain pump that no longer shifts water
- Wiring or control board fault affecting the pump circuit
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 select a drain or spin programme to see whether the code returns.
- Clean the pump filter at the bottom front of the machine — have a shallow tray and towels ready, as there will be water behind it. Rinse any fluff off the filter and check nothing is caught in the housing.
- Pull the machine out gently and check the drain hose isn't kinked, trapped or squashed against the wall.
- Check the end of the drain hose isn't pushed too far into the standpipe, which can siphon or block.
- If the hose runs into a sink trap, check the trap isn't blocked with grease — a slow-draining sink is a giveaway.
Which Servis models show E03
E03 means the same thing on all 5 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.
LD752W · WD1496FGB · WD1496FGR · WD1496FGS · WD1496FGW
Common questions about Servis E03
What does E03 mean on a Servis washer dryer?
The machine has tried to pump the water out and hasn't managed it, so it has stopped with a drain pump fault. Servis lists E03 as a pump error, and it's one of the handful of codes the machine is allowed to show the user rather than keeping to itself. The control board switches the drain pump on and expects the water level to fall; if it doesn't drop as expected, or the pump isn't drawing as it should, the cycle halts with E03. You'll usually find it at the end of a wash or before the spin, with water still sitting in the drum and the clothes soaked.
Can I fix Servis 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 select a drain or spin programme to see whether the code returns.
- Clean the pump filter at the bottom front of the machine — have a shallow tray and towels ready, as there will be water behind it. Rinse any fluff off the filter and check nothing is caught in the housing.
- Pull the machine out gently and check the drain hose isn't kinked, trapped or squashed against the wall.
- Check the end of the drain hose isn't pushed too far into the standpipe, which can siphon or block.
- If the hose runs into a sink trap, check the trap isn't blocked with grease — a slow-draining sink is a giveaway.
This sometimes clears with those checks. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly.
How much does it cost to repair Servis 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 washer dryer 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 Servis washer dryer codes
- Servis E04 — The machine has found more water in the drum than the progra…
- Servis E05 — The machine can't get a sensible reading from the temperatur…
- Servis E06 — The control board has lost confidence in the drum motor ing …
- Servis E07 — The control board has lost — or never received — the setting…
- Servis E08 — The control board can't drive the drum motor properly — the …
- Servis E09 — The machine has measured the mains voltage reaching it as to…
- Servis E10 — The machine can't get a reliable reading from the sensor tha…
- Servis E11 — The main control board has lost communication with the separ…