- Appliances
- Dishwashers
E3
Smeg E3 on a dishwasher: water heating malfunction alarm
Risk level
Low
Usually safe to check without specialist tools.
Urgency
Medium
Quick answer
On Smeg dishwashers such as the LVFABCR3, E3 is a water heating malfunction: the water is not heated or the heating parameters are not correct. Smeg says to repeat the washing program; if E3 returns, contact the after-sales service.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Smeg says technical checks must only be carried out by authorised technicians: do not open the appliance to look at the heating; also, some components stay live even with the on/off button set to off.
Safe checks you can perform
- Reset the alarm as Smeg describes
- Repeat the washing program
- Cut off power and water and prepare the call
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Diagnosis of the heating circuit
- Do not attempt this professional task: Test cycle with heating
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
Diagnosis of the heating circuit
What they doThe authorised technician tests the heating and temperature control components with the appliance isolated before replacing any part.
They must show youthe measurement that identifies the failing component.
In writingthe cause, the part replaced with its reference and the reason.
Test cycle with heating
What they doAfter the repair, the technician runs a program that heats the water and checks that the dishwasher finishes without the E3 alarm.
They must show youa complete program with heating and without E3.
In writingthe test carried out, the result and the date.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Reset the alarm as Smeg describes
- Who:
- you, no tools.
- How:
- open and close the door, or switch the dishwasher off and back on, which is how Smeg's manual says to reset an alarm. You can then program the dishwasher again.
- Result that matters:
- the appliance ready to repeat the program.
- If the alarm lights go out:
- repeat the washing program.
- If the alarm does not clear:
- cut off the power and contact the after-sales service.
- Evidence to keep:
- a photo of the lights showing E3 before resetting the alarm.
Evidence: Smeg dishwasher user manual 19296002900 (LVFABCR3)
Repeat the washing program
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- repeat the washing program, as Smeg says for E3, and let the cycle run. Use the same program the code appeared with so you can compare, and note at which point it stops if it fails again.
- Result that matters:
- knowing whether E3 was a one-off or comes back.
- If the cycle finishes without E3:
- note the date in case it returns.
- If E3 appears again:
- stop running test cycles and prepare the call to the after-sales service.
- Evidence to keep:
- the program selected, the time and the point in the cycle where E3 appeared.
Evidence: Smeg dishwasher user manual 19296002900 (LVFABCR3)
Cut off power and water and prepare the call
- Who:
- you, without opening the appliance.
- How:
- if E3 keeps returning, unplug the dishwasher or switch off at the wall and turn off the tap, as the manual says in the event of a fault. Find the model on the rating label on the side of the door and note the code and when it appears.
- Result that matters:
- a complete report for the authorised Smeg Technical Assistance Centre.
- If it is under warranty:
- use the authorised service, as Smeg warns repairs by unauthorised persons void the warranty.
- If it is out of warranty:
- ask for a written quote before any part is replaced.
- Evidence to keep:
- model, purchase date, notes on the cycles and the service call number.
Evidence: Smeg dishwasher user manual 19296002900 (LVFABCR3)
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- Appliances
- Brand
- Smeg
- Product type
- Dishwashers
Known code variants
- 3 flashes
- 3 parpadeos
- Bongo D series brake failure
- Bongo D30 E3
- Bongo E3
- Bongo scooter error E3
- Bongo serie D fallo del freno
- Cecofry E3 code
- Cecotec Bongo brake error
- Cecotec Bongo error freno
- Cecotec scooter error E3
- Código de error E3
- Código E3 Cecofry
- código E3 Mabe Kraken
- Cointra E3
- Cointra E3 fault
- Cointra electric water heater E3
- Cointra TND E3
- Cosori E3
- E 3
- E-3
- E03
- E3
- E3 appliance overheating
- E3 cesta derecha
- E3 on display
- E3 right basket sensor
- E3 sobrecalentamiento
- Electrolux ELAC309W E3
- Electrolux washer E3
- Electrolux washing machine error E3
- Error 03
- Error 3
- Error Code E3
- error code E3 Mabe Kraken
- Error E3
- error E3 lavadora Mabe
- error E3 lavarropas Electrolux
- error E3 lavavajillas Fagor
- error E3 lavavajillas Smeg
- error E3 termo Cointra
- Fagor 3LVF-623.1 E3
- Fagor 4LVF-639ADX E3
- Fagor dishwasher E3
- Fagor dishwasher error E3
- Fagor dishwasher not heating water E3
- Fagor lavavajillas E3
- falla E3 lavadora Electrolux
- falla E3 Mabe sensor Hall
- Hoover E03
- Hoover E3
- Hoover washing machine E03
- Hoover washing machine E3
- lavadora Hoover E03
- lavadora Hoover E3
- lavadora Mabe E3 no gira
- lavavajillas Fagor no calienta el agua E3
- lavavajillas Smeg no calienta el agua E3
- Mabe E3
- Mabe E3 error
- Mabe E3 motor Hall sensor
- Mabe washer E3
- Mabe washing machine E3
- Overheat protection has activated
- patinete Bongo error E3
- patinete Cecotec error E3
- Protección contra el sobrecalentamiento activada
- Smeg dishwasher E3
- Smeg dishwasher error E3
- Smeg dishwasher not heating water E3
- Smeg lavavajillas E3
- Smeg LVFABCR3 E3
- termo eléctrico Cointra E3
- TND 100 E3
- TND 150 E3
- TND 50 E3
- TND 80 E3
What it means
Smeg's user manual (document 19296002900, for models such as the LVFABCR3) defines E3 as a water heating malfunction: the water is not heated or the heating parameters are not correct. E3 interrupts the program immediately. Smeg says to repeat the washing program and, if the problem persists, contact the after-sales service. To reset the alarm, open and close the door or switch the machine off and on. Other Smeg models use another table, and the code on its own never proves which part is faulty.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Mediumsource verified
Smeg says technical checks must only be carried out by authorised technicians: do not open the appliance to look at the heating; also, some components stay live even with the on/off button set to off.
Evidence: Smeg dishwasher user manual 19296002900 (LVFABCR3)
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Heating not reached in a one-off cyclePossible
The manual's first step is to repeat the program, so an isolated malfunction may not appear again on the next wash.
Evidence: Smeg dishwasher user manual 19296002900 (LVFABCR3)
- Fault in the water heating circuitPossible
If E3 keeps returning, Smeg refers you to the after-sales service: a heating component is not working properly and only a technician can test which one.
Evidence: Smeg dishwasher user manual 19296002900 (LVFABCR3)
Virtual technician
Does E3 still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 1
Smeg lavavajillas manual de usuario 19296002900 (LVFABCR3)
Smeg · 2026 · manual
- 2
Smeg dishwasher user manual 19296002900 (LVFABCR3)
Smeg · 2026 · manual
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