Hoover washing machine E3 error code
What E3 means on a Hoover washing machine
Drain fault.
Meaning checked by NAC's engineers, 9 November 2026.
What our engineers say
On a Hoover washing machine, the E3 code means a drain fault: the machine has found a problem getting rid of its water. You may notice it is not draining, and it can also turn up alongside the machine tripping the electrics.
Engineers sometimes find a blocked drain pump, or a blockage in the hose that leads to it. They also sometimes find the drain filter stuck fast with debris lodged in it, occasionally breaking as it comes out, or a blockage in the outlet where the filter sits. Now and then the cause is not a blockage at all: engineers have found water damage to the machine's electronic control boards after a flood, which brought the code up as soon as the machine was switched on.
An engineer will usually check the drain pump, filter and hoses first and clear out any blockage, then fill and drain the machine to confirm it works. If the filter is broken, or the control boards and a related electrical component are damaged, they replace them, and these parts often have to be ordered and fitted at a second visit.
Written by our engineers from NAC's own jobs.
Faults this code turns up with
What our engineers found and fixed for each, from NAC's own repair records, with Hoover's own figures where we have enough of them.
What we fixed. We'll add what our engineers found, the parts they fitted and what customers typically paid once enough of these repairs are confirmed. How we work out our figures.
Before you check anything yourself
- Switch the washing machine off and unplug it, or turn it off at the isolator switch, before you touch anything. Our guide to safely isolating an appliance walks you through it.
- An error code tells you where to look, not that it's safe to take the washing machine apart. Don't remove panels or covers to get at the parts it points to: that's an engineer's job.
- If it involves the mains supply, sealed parts, or you're not confident at any point, stop and book a qualified engineer rather than risk injury or further damage.
Rather leave it to us?
- Fixed-price quote before any work starts
- Same or next-day visits where available
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