What E03 actually means
The machine has tried to pump water out and the control board hasn't seen it happen, so it has halted with a pump fault.
E03 on these Willow machines is logged as a pump failure. During the part of the cycle where the drain pump should clear water — the wash water on the washing side, or the condensate collected while drying — the board expects the level to drop and it doesn't, so it stops rather than carry on with water still in the machine. It's one of the few codes on this range that the manufacturer intends the end user to see, alongside the door, water-fill and overflow errors, which tells you it's expected to be something the owner may be able to influence.
What E03 looks like on a Willow tumble dryer
Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Willow tumble dryer, E03 usually shows up as one or more of these:
- Machine door won't open
- Door won't lock or click shut
- Door lock light flashing
- Door stuck shut with the load inside
- Won't start even with the door closed
- Machine not draining
- Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
- Stops mid-cycle full of water
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 — fluff, coins, hair grips or a stray sock
- Drain hose kinked, crushed behind the machine, or pushed too far into the standpipe
- Blockage in the standpipe or sink trap the machine drains into
- Drain pump impeller jammed or the pump has failed
- Wiring or control board fault on 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, leave it a minute and switch back on — if the code was a one-off it may clear
- Empty and clean the pump filter at the bottom front of the machine (have a towel and shallow tray ready, water will come out)
- Rinse the filter under the tap and check the housing behind it is clear before refitting it hand-tight
- Pull the machine out gently and check the drain hose isn't kinked, trapped or squashed against the wall
- Check the sink or standpipe the hose drains into isn't slow or blocked
Which Willow models show E03
E03 means the same thing on all 4 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.
W6120W · W7120W · WWM712BI · WWM814BI
Common questions about Willow E03
What does E03 mean on a Willow tumble dryer?
The machine has tried to pump water out and the control board hasn't seen it happen, so it has halted with a pump fault. E03 on these Willow machines is logged as a pump failure. During the part of the cycle where the drain pump should clear water — the wash water on the washing side, or the condensate collected while drying — the board expects the level to drop and it doesn't, so it stops rather than carry on with water still in the machine. It's one of the few codes on this range that the manufacturer intends the end user to see, alongside the door, water-fill and overflow errors, which tells you it's expected to be something the owner may be able to influence.
Can I fix Willow E03 myself?
There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.
- Turn the machine off at the wall, leave it a minute and switch back on — if the code was a one-off it may clear.
- Empty and clean the pump filter at the bottom front of the machine (have a towel and shallow tray ready, water will come out).
- Rinse the filter under the tap and check the housing behind it is clear before refitting it hand-tight.
- Pull the machine out gently and check the drain hose isn't kinked, trapped or squashed against the wall.
- Check the sink or standpipe the hose drains into isn't slow or blocked.
This sometimes clears with those checks. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly.
How much does it cost to repair Willow 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 tumble 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 Willow tumble dryer codes
- Willow E04 — The dryer has flagged a problem with its heating circuit — t…
- Willow E05 — The dryer has lost a sensible reading from the temperature s…
- Willow E06 — The control board has lost the speed signal from the motor, …
- Willow E07 — The control board has lost or does not recognise the setting…
- Willow E08 — The dryer has stopped because the electricity reaching its c…
- Willow E09 — The machine has decided the electricity reaching it is outsi…
- Willow E10 — The machine can no longer trust the sensor that tells it how…
- Willow E11 — The main control board has lost communication with the separ…
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