Willow 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 get the water out of the drum, so it has stopped and flagged a drain pump fault.

During the drain or spin part of the cycle the machine expects the water level to drop, and it hasn't. The control board reads that as a pump failure and halts the programme, usually leaving water sitting in the drum. It's a genuine drainage fault rather than a random glitch, and it won't clear until the water can get away properly.

What E03 looks like on a Willow washing machine

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

Blocked pump filter — coins, hair grips, lint, fluff
Kinked, trapped or blocked drain hose
Blockage in the sink trap or standpipe the hose drains into
Something jammed in the pump impeller, such as a bra wire
Failed drain pump or its wiring

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 switch back on and try a drain or spin cycle.
Clean the pump filter at the front bottom of the machine — put a shallow tray and towels down first, as water will come out.
Check the drain hose behind the machine isn't kinked, squashed against the wall or pushed too far down the standpipe.
If the hose drains into a sink trap, check the trap isn't blocked with grease.
Don't run a wash while there's standing water in the drum.

Common questions about Willow E03

What does E03 mean on a Willow washing machine?

The machine can't get the water out of the drum, so it has stopped and flagged a drain pump fault. During the drain or spin part of the cycle the machine expects the water level to drop, and it hasn't. The control board reads that as a pump failure and halts the programme, usually leaving water sitting in the drum. It's a genuine drainage fault rather than a random glitch, and it won't clear until the water can get away properly.

Can I fix Willow E03 myself?

There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then switch back on and try a drain or spin cycle.
Clean the pump filter at the front bottom of the machine — put a shallow tray and towels down first, as water will come out.
Check the drain hose behind the machine isn't kinked, squashed against the wall or pushed too far down the standpipe.
If the hose drains into a sink trap, check the trap isn't blocked with grease.
Don't run a wash while there's standing water in the drum.

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 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 Willow washing machine codes

All Willow 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.

Willow E03 error — washing machine