F03 Error on Hisense Washing Machines

What F03 can mean on a Hisense washing machine depending on the model

On Hisense washing machines, the F03 error doesn’t always mean the same thing across all models. In Hisense documentation, it is mainly described with two possible meanings:

• Drain fault: the washer can’t pump out the water within the expected time (it remains full of water and stops)
• Water level too high (overflow): the machine detects that the water has reached a higher-than-allowed level and goes into protection

The quickest way to tell which one it is is simple: check whether there’s water sitting in the drum and whether the fault appears during draining/spinning (more typical of drainage) or while filling (more typical of high water level).

How to clear F03 and what to check step by step

To fix F03 without guessing, follow this order. It’s designed to cover both scenarios (drainage and overflow), which are the two meanings commonly found in Hisense documentation depending on the model.

1. Safety first: cut the power and prepare to collect water
   • Turn the washer off and unplug it (or switch off the breaker)
   • Have towels and a low container ready, because water may come out when you open the filter
   • Let the water cool down if the previous cycle was hot
2. If there’s water in the drum: treat it as a “drainage” issue
   • Check the drain hose: make sure it isn’t kinked, crushed, or positioned too high
   • Check the drain outlet (trap/standpipe): make sure it isn’t clogged
   • Clean the pump filter (front lower access cap): coins, lint, and debris often block it
   • Reinstall the filter properly and run a drain/spin program

   If F03 was caused by poor draining, this is what most often fixes it: hose + filter + drain outlet.

3. If the error appears while filling or you see too much water: treat it as a “high level” issue
   • Turn off the water inlet tap
   • Make sure the button/selector isn’t left paused with the tap open while the unit is throwing an error
   • Reset and select a drain program to lower the level (if it allows it)
   • If it comes back immediately, don’t keep trying repeated fills

   In this scenario, the typical cause is related to water-level control (pressure sensing) or the inlet system, so it’s best to prevent further filling.

4. Do a complete reset to clear the fault state
   • After checking everything, leave the washer without power for 5–10 minutes
   • Plug it back in and first try a short cycle (rinse/spin)
5. Watch the pattern so you don’t mix diagnoses
   • F03 during draining or as it reaches spin: points to drainage (filter, pump, hose)
   • F03 during filling or with signs of too much water: points to high water level (level control/inlet)
   • Intermittent F03: often fits a partial blockage or an unstable connection
6. When it makes sense to call a technician
   • F03 returns after cleaning the filter, checking the hose, and testing drainage
   • The pump is silent or sounds abnormal and won’t drain
   • The error repeats as “high water level” even after closing the tap and resetting

   At that point, a technician will usually check the drain pump and its circuit (if it’s a drainage issue) or the water-level system and inlet control (if it’s overflow), because the problem stops being “maintenance” and becomes component-related.

F03 is often resolved once the scenario is correctly identified: if water is trapped, focus on drainage; if the problem is high level, focus on inlet/level control. If it keeps coming back after these checks, a technical diagnosis is recommended to go straight to the part responsible.