Appliance Spares
Quick answer: E3 on a Fisher & Paykel dishwasher with a display — or 3 flashes of the LED on older DishDrawer models — means a water supply fault: the machine did not fill within its time limit. A closed tap, low water pressure or a kinked inlet hose is usually the cause and costs nothing to fix. If the supply checks out and the fault returns, the inlet valve solenoid has failed. Replacement Fisher & Paykel dishwasher inlet valves cost $16.55–$46.95.
Fisher & Paykel dishwasher inlet valve FP521545 · find your model
What E3 / 3 flashes means on a Fisher & Paykel dishwasher
Fisher & Paykel dishwashers signal a fill fault in two ways depending on the model line. Older DishDrawer (DD series) models without a display stop mid-cycle and flash the LED on the drawer front three times in a repeating loop. Newer DD series and DW60 freestanding models with a display show the fault number E3 directly. Both mean the same thing: the drawer or tub did not fill with water within the allowed time.
Count flash sequences carefully from pause to pause — it is easy to miscount. Confirm your series on the model sticker on the inside of the door frame or the top edge of the DishDrawer. The full list of flash counts and fault numbers is in our Fisher & Paykel dishwasher error codes guide.
Common causes of E3 / 3 flashes
| Cause | Likelihood | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Isolation tap closed or water pressure too low | Common | Open the tap fully; check pressure — free |
| Kinked or crushed inlet hose | Occasional | Straighten the hose — free |
| Inlet valve solenoid failed — no flow even with tap open | Very common | Replace inlet valve — $16.55–$46.95 |
How to fix a Fisher & Paykel E3 / 3-flash fault — step by step
- Check the water tap. The isolation tap under the sink should be fully open — turned anti-clockwise until it stops. A partially closed tap causes intermittent fill faults.
- Inspect the inlet hose. Pull the machine forward slightly and check the hose from the tap to the dishwasher. It must not be kinked, crushed against the cabinet wall, or twisted.
- Check water pressure. Run the kitchen tap at full flow. If pressure is very low the dishwasher may time out waiting to fill; consistently poor pressure is a plumbing-level issue.
- Listen during the fill phase. Start a cycle and listen (on a DishDrawer, open the drawer slightly during fill) — you should hear a gentle hiss of water. No sound at all points to the inlet valve not opening.
- Replace the inlet valve. If everything above checks out and the machine still will not fill, the inlet valve solenoid has failed. The valve is behind the kick panel at the base of the machine. Shut off the water supply and power before removing it.
Tip: DishDrawer models use a double inlet valve serving the two drawers; DW60 freestanding models use a single valve. They are not interchangeable — match on your exact model number.
Fisher & Paykel dishwasher inlet valves in stock
- Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Inlet Valve — DW60CDX, DW60CDX1, DW60CDX2 — $16.55
- Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Inlet Valve — DW60CDW, DW60CDW1, DW60CDW2 — $16.55
- Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Inlet Valve FP521545 — $24.85
- Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Inlet Valve H0120400055A — DW60CHPW1, DW60CHPX1, DW60CKW1 — $29.85
- Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Double Inlet Valve 510354 — DD60DAX9, DD60DCW9, DD60DCX9 — $46.95
- Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Double Inlet Valve 510354 — DD60DAW8, DD60DAW9, DD60DAX — $46.95
Match the valve to the model number on your model sticker. Use the Part Finder if unsure, or browse all Fisher & Paykel dishwasher parts in stock.
How to replace a Fisher & Paykel dishwasher inlet valve (about 30 minutes)
- Disconnect power at the wall and turn off the isolation tap.
- Remove the kick panel at the base of the machine (two screws on most models).
- Photograph the hose and wiring connections on the valve before touching anything.
- Unscrew the inlet hose from the valve — have a towel ready for drips.
- Unplug the solenoid connector(s) and release the valve from its mounting clip.
- Transfer the internal hose to the new valve and clip the valve into place.
- Reconnect wiring and the inlet hose, restore water and power, and run a rinse programme while checking for leaks at the valve.
Frequently asked questions
My DishDrawer flashes its light and beeps — how do I read the code?
Count the flashes between pauses. The light flashes a set number of times, pauses, then repeats. Three flashes is a water supply fault; count a second full sequence to confirm.
Only the top drawer of my DishDrawer shows the fault — does that change anything?
Each drawer runs its own fill circuit from a shared double inlet valve, so one drawer can fault while the other fills normally — a useful clue that the supply tap is fine and one valve solenoid has failed.
The machine fills a little and then stops with E3 — is that still the valve?
Partial filling usually means restricted flow — a partly closed tap, kinked hose or scaled valve — rather than a completely dead solenoid. Work through the supply checks first.
Where is the model number on my Fisher & Paykel dishwasher?
On the model sticker on the inside of the door frame, or on the top edge of the drawer on DishDrawer models.
Related
- Fisher & Paykel dishwasher error codes and fault lights — complete guide
- Fisher & Paykel DishDrawer F1 error code — flood fault fix
- Bosch dishwasher E18 error code — water inlet fault fix
- Fisher & Paykel oven fault codes — fix guide
Ready to fix it?
- Run your model number through the Oz Appliance Spares Part Finder — model in, exact-fit inlet valve out.
- Browse Fisher & Paykel dishwasher parts in stock
- Order before 12 pm Sydney time → ships same day from our Sydney Northern Beaches warehouse, Australia-wide.
Disclaimer: this article is general information only and is provided without warranty of any kind. Appliance designs vary between models and production runs — always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, switch off and unplug the appliance before starting any work, and confirm parts against the model number on your appliance’s model sticker. Any repair is undertaken at your own risk and Oz Appliance Spares accepts no liability for injury, loss or damage arising from work performed after reading this guide, to the maximum extent permitted by law. If in doubt, use a qualified technician.
