Dishwasher does not fill properly and shows E03 on the display.
Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Turn off power and close the water supply tap before working on the inlet system.
E03 indicates the control is not detecting the expected water flow during filling.
- Step 1 – Check water supply:
- Ensure the household water tap to the dishwasher is fully open.
- Disconnect the inlet hose from the tap and clean the small mesh filter inside the hose end.
- Check for kinks or crushing along the entire length of the hose.
- Step 2 – AquaStop and flow meter:
- Many Siemens dishwashers use an AquaStop hose with integrated valve and flow meter.
- Inspect the AquaStop housing for damage or signs of leakage.
- If the AquaStop is buzzing but no water flows, the internal valve may be blocked or defective.
- Step 3 – Internal water path:
- Remove the left side panel to access the water matrix / heat exchanger and flow meter (on many models).
- Check for heavy limescale or debris in the water matrix channels.
- Rinse the matrix with warm water and a descaling solution if heavily scaled (do not damage seals).
- Step 4 – Flow meter test:
- Inspect the small flow meter (often a reed switch with a rotating wheel) for free movement.
- If the wheel is stuck, clean it gently.
- If the reed switch is defective, replace the flow meter assembly.
- Step 5 – Replacement:
- If the AquaStop valve does not open at all, replace the complete AquaStop inlet hose with the correct Siemens part.
After reassembly, run a test cycle and monitor filling. If E03 persists, the control board input for the flow meter may be faulty.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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