Dishwasher shows E3; water fills but does not heat properly, and dishes come out cold and wet.

Safety first: Turn off power at the breaker and allow the dishwasher to cool completely before accessing the base.

• Confirm symptom: Run a hot cycle and open the door mid-cycle (carefully). If the water is cold and E3 appears, the heater circuit is suspect.
• Inspect wiring: Remove the lower kick panel and side panels if needed. Locate the heater assembly (inline flow heater on many Midea models, or base plate heater). Check for burned connectors, loose plugs, or melted insulation. Reseat any loose connectors.
• Check continuity (advanced): With power disconnected, use a multimeter to measure resistance across the heater terminals. A reading of open circuit (OL) indicates a failed heater. Typical values are in the 20–40 Ω range (varies by model).
• Inspect NTC sensor: The NTC is usually clipped into the sump or heater housing. Check for broken wires or corrosion. Replace if physically damaged or if resistance is far outside the service manual range.
• When to call a technician: If the heater and NTC test good, the main PCB heater relay may be defective. Board-level repair or replacement is best handled by a professional.