What E03 actually means
The machine can't get rid of the water it's holding — it either can't pump it out or, on the drying side, thinks the condensed water tank is full.
On these Willow washer dryers E03 comes up when the control board doesn't see the water level drop as expected during the drain stage, so it halts the cycle rather than carry on filling and washing. The usual symptom is water sitting in the drum, no spin, and the programme stuck part-way. Willow also use E03 on the drying side, where the aquaswitch that monitors the condensed water reservoir reports full — so if the fault appears during a drying programme, the tank is the first thing to look at.
What E03 looks like on a Willow washer dryer
Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Willow 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 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 at the bottom front of the machine (by far the most common)
- Drain hose kinked, blocked, or pushed too far down the standpipe
- Blocked sink trap or waste pipe the machine drains into
- New installation — the blanking cap or spigot on the sink trap was never removed
- Drain hose fitted too low or siphoning back, so water drains away as fast as it fills
- Full condensed water tank, or a faulty aquaswitch float on the drying side
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, put a shallow tray and towels down, and clean out the pump filter — coins, hair grips and buttons collect there and stop the pump dead.
- If your model uses a condensed water tank, empty it and refit it fully home.
- Straighten the drain hose behind the machine and check nothing is standing on it or crushing it against the wall.
- Check the drain hose isn't shoved deep into the standpipe — the top of it needs to sit between 65 and 100 cm from the floor.
- Pour a jug of water down the sink or standpipe the machine drains into; if it backs up, the blockage is in your plumbing rather than the machine.
- On a machine that has only recently been plumbed in under a sink, check the blanking cap on the sink trap spigot was removed.
- Switch off at the wall for a minute, then restart and select a drain or spin programme to see if the fault clears.
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.
WCD8W · WWM101400IW · WWM81400IG · WWM81400IW
Common questions about Willow E03
What does E03 mean on a Willow washer dryer?
The machine can't get rid of the water it's holding — it either can't pump it out or, on the drying side, thinks the condensed water tank is full. On these Willow washer dryers E03 comes up when the control board doesn't see the water level drop as expected during the drain stage, so it halts the cycle rather than carry on filling and washing. The usual symptom is water sitting in the drum, no spin, and the programme stuck part-way. Willow also use E03 on the drying side, where the aquaswitch that monitors the condensed water reservoir reports full — so if the fault appears during a drying programme, the tank is the first thing to look at.
Can I fix Willow E03 myself?
There are 7 checks you can safely do yourself first.
- Turn the machine off at the wall, put a shallow tray and towels down, and clean out the pump filter — coins, hair grips and buttons collect there and stop the pump dead.
- If your model uses a condensed water tank, empty it and refit it fully home.
- Straighten the drain hose behind the machine and check nothing is standing on it or crushing it against the wall.
- Check the drain hose isn't shoved deep into the standpipe — the top of it needs to sit between 65 and 100 cm from the floor.
- Pour a jug of water down the sink or standpipe the machine drains into; if it backs up, the blockage is in your plumbing rather than the machine.
- On a machine that has only recently been plumbed in under a sink, check the blanking cap on the sink trap spigot was removed.
- Switch off at the wall for a minute, then restart and select a drain or spin programme to see if the fault clears.
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 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 Willow washer dryer codes
All Willow fault codes and repairs →