What E03 actually means
The dryer thinks the condensed water has nowhere to go — either the water tank is full or the switch that senses it isn't reporting back.
These are heat pump machines, so the water pulled out of your laundry is collected rather than vented. A float switch (the aquaswitch) tells the control board whether that water can still be pumped away. When the board gets no 'clear' signal from it, drying stops and E03 appears — most often because the tank genuinely is full, but the same code shows if the switch or its wiring connection has come adrift.
What E03 looks like on a White Knight washer dryer
Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a White Knight 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
- Not drying
- Blowing cold air
- Clothes still damp at the end
- Takes hours to dry
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
- Water collection tank full and needing emptying
- Tank not pushed fully back into place, so the float switch isn't reading correctly
- Drain hose kinked or blocked if the machine has been plumbed to drain directly
- Aquaswitch connector unplugged or the wiring to it damaged
- Faulty float switch or pump feeding it
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.
- Empty the water tank and slide it firmly back home until it seats
- Restart the cycle and see whether the code clears
- If the machine drains via a hose to a waste pipe, check the hose isn't kinked, trapped behind the machine or sitting too high
- Switch off at the wall for a minute and back on to reset the control
Which White Knight models show E03
E03 means the same thing on all 2 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.
WK-AT8HPW · WK-AT9CW
Common questions about White Knight E03
What does E03 mean on a White Knight washer dryer?
The dryer thinks the condensed water has nowhere to go — either the water tank is full or the switch that senses it isn't reporting back. These are heat pump machines, so the water pulled out of your laundry is collected rather than vented. A float switch (the aquaswitch) tells the control board whether that water can still be pumped away. When the board gets no 'clear' signal from it, drying stops and E03 appears — most often because the tank genuinely is full, but the same code shows if the switch or its wiring connection has come adrift.
Can I fix White Knight E03 myself?
There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.
- Empty the water tank and slide it firmly back home until it seats.
- Restart the cycle and see whether the code clears.
- If the machine drains via a hose to a waste pipe, check the hose isn't kinked, trapped behind the machine or sitting too high.
- Switch off at the wall for a minute and back on to reset the control.
This sometimes clears with those checks. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly.
How much does it cost to repair White Knight 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.
All White Knight fault codes and repairs →