Error e3 in Teka washing machines

Table of contents

• What error e3 means in your Teka washing machine
• How to deal with error e3 in your Teka washing machine

What error e3 means in your Teka washing machine

In Teka washing machines, the e3 error code indicates that the appliance cannot drain the water from the drum. In other words, the programme tries to pump the water out, but the water remains inside and the electronics interpret that there is a drainage problem.

On models with a display, the warning appears as “E3”, while on some models without a screen it is signalled by three repeating flashes of the LEDs on the control panel. In both cases, the meaning is the same: the washing machine detects that it is not draining correctly.

The most common reasons that can cause this e3 error are:

• Clogged drain filter: this is the most frequent cause. Coins, hairpins, lint, buttons or fibres can block the filter and almost completely obstruct the flow of water.
• Foreign objects in the drain pump: even if the filter looks reasonably clean, some object may have made its way to the pump impeller and be preventing it from spinning properly.
• Blocked or kinked drain hose: if the hose is squashed behind the machine, installed too high, pushed too far into the household drain or simply clogged, the water cannot exit at the required speed.
• Household drain partially blocked: the problem may be outside the washing machine; a partially blocked trap or pipe in the house will cause poor drainage, and the machine will “feel” that resistance.
• Faulty drain pump: over time the pump may lose power, seize up, become blocked by built-up dirt or suffer a burnt-out winding, all of which prevent it from pushing the water out through the outlet hose.
• Loose wiring or connectors around the pump: a bad contact can cause the pump to work intermittently or not start at all, triggering the error code.
• Problems with the level sensor or pressure switch: if the system that detects the water level “thinks” there is still water in the drum even though it has already drained, the electronics may continue to interpret that the washing machine is not pumping out properly.

In short, the e3 error is telling you that your Teka washing machine is having trouble emptying the water and needs a check of the drain circuit before it can run normally again.

How to deal with error e3 in your Teka washing machine

To tackle this fault safely and effectively, you can follow this sequence of checks before considering calling a technician.

1. Stop the cycle and unplug the washing machine
   If the e3 code has appeared in the middle of a programme, press the power button to switch the machine off, wait for the door to unlock and unplug it from the mains. Bear in mind that the water inside may be hot, so it is a good idea to wait a few minutes before handling the filter.
2. Remove the water from the drum if it is full
   If you see a lot of water inside and the door opens:
   • Use a small container or jug and a sponge to remove the water until the level goes down.
   • Have cloths or a shallow tray ready on the floor in front of the filter cover, because more water will come out when you open it.
   Some Teka washing machines include a small emergency drain hose next to the filter. If your model has one, open the cap and let the water flow out slowly into a container.
3. Access the drain pump filter and clean it thoroughly
   The filter is usually located at the front bottom of the machine behind a small flap:
   • Open the flap, place a container or cloths underneath and slowly unscrew the filter cap.
   • Let the remaining water run out and remove the filter completely.
   • Rinse it under the tap, removing lint, threads, detergent residues and any objects (coins, clips, buttons, etc.).
   • With the filter removed, look inside the housing and check whether anything is blocking the pump impeller. Never insert metal tools that could damage it; use your fingers carefully.
   Once it is clean, refit the filter, screwing it in firmly to avoid future leaks.
4. Check the condition of the drain hose
   Move the washing machine slightly forward, being careful not to pull excessively on the hoses, and check:
   • That the drain hose is not being stepped on, crushed or bent at very sharp angles.
   • That the height of the household drain connection is in line with what the manual specifies (usually between 50 and 85 cm from the floor).
   • That the hose is securely fixed to the drain, but not pushed in too far, so as not to create a siphon effect or obstruct the outlet.
   If you suspect the hose may be blocked internally, you can disconnect it from the trap and carefully blow through it or rinse it with water at moderate pressure.
5. Make sure the household drain is not blocked
   If the sink, trap or pipe where the washing machine hose connects is draining poorly:
   • Try pouring water directly into that drain: if it backs up or rises, the problem is in the plumbing, not in the washing machine.
   • Use an appropriate mechanical or chemical drain cleaner to clear the pipe, always following the manufacturer’s instructions.
   Until the general drain is in good condition, the washing machine will continue to struggle to pump the water out.
6. Run a test with a short programme
   When the filter is clean, the hose checked and the household drain cleared:
   • Move the washing machine back into position, plug it in and select a short or quick-wash programme.
   • Watch the drain phase: you should hear the pump running and see the water flowing out through the hose into the drain.
   • If the e3 code no longer appears and the programme completes, it is very likely that the problem was in the filter or the hose.
7. When to suspect a pump or level system fault
   If, despite having cleaned and checked everything, the e3 error appears again or the washing machine still fails to drain:
   • The drain pump may have lost power, be seized or have a damaged winding.
   • The pressure switch or level sensor may also be misreading the amount of water left inside.
   • Another possibility is a wiring or connector issue between the electronic board and the pump.
   These cases require taking the appliance apart, checking continuity and voltage with a multimeter and, if necessary, replacing components, which is best left to a qualified service technician.
8. How to prevent the e3 error from appearing again
   To reduce the chance of your Teka washing machine displaying this code in the future:
   • Clean the drain filter every so many wash cycles, especially if you often wash clothes with pockets, workwear or fabrics that shed a lot of lint.
   • From time to time, check the area behind the washing machine to make sure the hose has not been squashed when the appliance was moved.
   • Avoid overloading the drum, as too much laundry produces more lint and debris that ends up in the filter and pump.
   • Do not ignore early warning signs (machine taking longer to drain, unusual noises from the pump, water remaining at the end of the cycle); these are often the symptoms that come just before the e3 error.

The e3 code in a Teka washing machine is often solvable when it is dealt with in time: a thorough filter cleaning and checking the hose and household drain resolve a large percentage of cases. When the problem keeps coming back or you suspect the pump or the electronics, the safest option is to call a specialist technician to avoid more serious damage to the appliance.