The E03 error code on a Hoover washing machine means that the machine can not drain the water away during or after a cycle.
There can be a few reasons that a Hoover washing machine stops draining the water including a blockage, a faulty drain pump and an electrical problem inside the machine.
Before you start inspecting your machine or replacing any spare parts, it’s always important to make sure that the machine is isolated from the power supply for safety reasons.
Let’s take a look at everything you can do to fix your Hoover washing machine when it’s displaying the E03 error code.
Remove a blockage from the pump
If your Hoover washer has an E03 error code, the best place to start looking for the problem is in the drain pump.
Blocked filters and drain pumps are one of the most common reasons that a washing machine breaks down.
We actually wrote an article on how to drain a washing machine when it’s full of water so that you can remove a blockage if you want to go and check it out.
What you’re looking for:
- Coins and hairclips
- Small items of clothing like socks underwear
- Keys and other small metal items
It’s fairly common for people to forget to check their pockets before they start a wash cycle, which means a lot of stuff can make it through the wash cycle and end up in the drain pump filter.
It’s also a good idea to check the sump pipe which connects the drain pump to the drum. This is where you will find larger items that could have blocked up the machine.
Look at the end of the water drain pipe
If you have searched the drain pump and had no luck, you’re going to want to take a look at the end of the water waste pipe.
This is the part that connects to the pipe under your sink. Small items like coins can get stuck at the end making it hard for the machine to drain the water away.
It also works both ways, as food can go in the sink and block the end of the pipe where the washing machine water drains away.
If you can’t find anything at the end of the pipe, it could be stuck in the middle or near the drain pump on the machine.
Check the wiring going to the pump
If the drain pump seems to be dead and you can’t hear it trying to drain the water, then it might be because the wiring has failed.
Hoover washing machines are pretty good overall but that doesn’t mean they don’t have their faults.
The wiring on Hoover washers is susceptible to wearing away over time and if your machine has been shaking around a lot recently it might have caused a wire to come off.
You’re looking for any signs of damage on the end of the wires and you might even find that the wiring has snapped.
If you do find that the wires have been damaged, then you’re going to need to replace or repair them. It’s much more cost effective to repair the wiring than it is to get a new wiring loom for a washing machine.
Replace the drain pump
So, you’ve searched for a blockage and the wiring seems good, now what?
Well, it’s probably time to think about replacing the drain pump on the machine.
If for some reason a blockage has gone through the machine and ended up being pushed out with e water, it doesn’t mean it hasn’t damaged the pump on its way through.
Washing machine drain pumps have small plastic impellers on them so they can push the water and they are at risk of breaking if a hard object gets stuck in the pump housing.
Luckily, Hoover washing machine drain pumps are made by a company called Askoll and are quite interchangeable between different models.
You can usually pick up a Hoover washing machine drain pump for around £5 – £10 online and get your machine back up and running.
Fitting the drain pump is quite straightforward but it’s important that you either buy one with the correct plug for the wiring block or you’re prepared to fit the right connectors to the wiring.
Summary
To recap, here’s exactly what you should do if your Hoover washer has an E03 error code:
- Check for any blockages in the filter, the pump, and the sump pipe
- Take a look at the end of the drain pipe for anything that’s got stuck whilst the machine is trying to drain
- Check all the wiring that goes from the control board to the drain pump for any breaks or damage
- Go ahead and replace the drain pump if you think it has failed – They can get damaged if a blockage has been stuck in the machine for a while
If none of the above solved your problem, it might be because the control board has failed. If this is the case, it might be cheaper to replace the machine depending on the model number.
If you need some more information on Hoover washing machine error codes you can take a look at our complete walkthrough.
