What E3 Means
Bertazzoni's error table reads E3 as water not reaching the required temperature, with "malfunction of heating element" given as the cause. The wash water is going in, but it never climbs to the figure the selected program is built around.
Common Causes of E3
- A heating element that has gone open-circuit or lost part of its output
- A heater relay on the main board no longer closing when the program calls for heat
- Scale or corrosion at the element terminals adding resistance to the circuit
🔧 One Safe Check You Can Try
There is no homeowner step printed against this one. Switch the machine off at the breaker and leave it off - the heating circuit sits in a tub that holds water, so it is measured with a meter on a dead machine rather than probed while a cycle runs.
⚠ Why You Shouldn't Go Further Than That
- Cut power at the breaker first: the element lies under the wash water, and a meter reading taken with the circuit live is the classic way people get a shock from a dishwasher.
- An element terminal that has spent years in a damp tub can shear off as it is undone, which turns a straight part swap into a harness repair.
- A replacement element of the wrong wattage will keep tripping the board's own protection, so the part has to be matched to the model rather than to the look of the old one.
Opening a panel to inspect or repair something yourself doesn't automatically cancel your manufacturer's warranty — but it can risk accidental damage, and some manufacturers do have specific service conditions. Check your product's warranty terms, or ask us, before deciding.