Omega Dishwasher E3 Error: Water Not Heating, the Two Parts That

Quick answer: E3 on an Omega dishwasher means the water did not reach temperature: the control board asked for heat and the temperature sensor did not see it rise in the allowed time. Two parts cause it. The heating element (on most models a flow-through heater on the circulation pump) has failed, or the temperature sensor that reads the water is out of range. Check the element for continuity first; if it reads open, replace it. If it tests fine, replace the sensor.

The parts that clear this codeGenuine and compatible parts, dispatched from Sydney (12pm cut-off)

Not sure which one fits? Match your model number or check the sticker inside the door.

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Last updated September 2026

An Omega dishwasher showing E3 is telling you the wash ran cold. Dishes come out wet and greasy, the program may take far longer than usual, and then the code appears. The board heats the water with an element and watches the temperature through a small sensor in the sump; when the sensor does not report the rise the board expects, E3 stops the program.

That gives you exactly two suspects, and both are testable at home with a multimeter and the machine unplugged. This guide takes them in order, explains how to tell one from the other, and covers the ODW, OFI, ODI and OBDW ranges and the Omega-badged models built on the same platform. E3 is one of the more satisfying faults to fix, because the part is usually inexpensive and the difference in the wash is immediate.

Omega dishwasher E3: the causes, ranked, and how to check each

Codes are listed as they appear on the display. Where two generations of the platform use different codes for the same fault, both are shown. Always confirm against the manual for your exact model before ordering a part.

Check, in order	What you are looking for	What it means if you find it	Fix / the part
1. Is the water actually cold?	Open the door ten minutes into a normal program: the water in the base of the tub should be hot	Cold water confirms a real heating fault rather than a sensor misreading	Continue down the list
2. Heating element continuity	Unplug the machine, remove the kick panel, find the heater on the circulation pump or under the tub, and test across its two terminals	Open circuit means the element has burnt out; a reading of a few tens of ohms means it is intact	Replace the heating element if it reads open — fit the Omega, Blanco, Midea Dishwasher Heating Element
3. Element earth leakage	Test from each terminal to the metal body of the heater	A reading to earth means the element is breaking down even if it is not open	Replace the heating element — fit the OMEGA DISHWASHER HEATING ELEMENT 1800W
4. Temperature sensor	Find the sensor in the sump or on the heater body and test its resistance	A reading far from the expected range, open or short, means the sensor has failed	Replace the temperature sensor
5. Wiring and connectors	Scorched or green connectors at the heater or the sensor	A poor connection can stop the heater without either part having failed	Clean or repair the connector
6. Filters and water flow	Filters clogged, spray arms blocked	On flow-through heaters, poor circulation can prevent the heater working properly	Clean the filters and spray arms
7. Control board relay	Everything above tests fine but the heater never gets power	The heater relay on the board has failed	Board repair or replacement
8. Water level too low	Little water in the tub when the door is opened mid-cycle	An underfill stops the heater from switching on	Check the inlet valve and screen; see the E1 fill fault guide — fit the Omega Dishwasher Inlet Valve ODW717WB, ODW702X, ODW507TXB, ODW707XB

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Element or sensor: how to tell them apart

The two parts fail in different ways. A heating element burns out and reads open circuit on a meter: infinite resistance across its two terminals. It can also break down to earth while still reading a resistance, so test from each terminal to the metal body too. A temperature sensor drifts or fails open or short; at room temperature most read in the tens of kilohms, and a reading of zero or infinity means it is finished. Test the element first because it is the more common of the two, and because a machine with a dead element will also often show E3 rather than a separate heater code.

Where the heater is on an Omega

On most current Omega models the heater is a flow-through element built into the circulation pump, low at the front under the tub, reached by removing the kick panel and laying the machine on its back. On older models it is a horseshoe element in the base of the tub. Either way it is replaced as an assembly with its seal, and the machine must be unplugged and the tap off before you start.

After the fix

Run a hot program empty and open the door ten minutes in. Hot water in the base and steam at the door means the heater is working. If E3 returns with a new element that tests fine, the sensor or the board relay is the fault, in that order.

Omega dishwasher parts in stock in Sydney

These are the parts behind the codes above that we hold in stock and ship Australia-wide. Match the model number on your model sticker before ordering, or run it through the Part Finder and let it match for you. Every part we hold for the brand is listed on the Omega parts page, and by model on the model pages; the wider range is in the dishwasher parts store.

Is it safe to fix an error code yourself?

Most of the codes above are cleared with a filter clean, a hose check or a plug-in part swap, and those are ordinary DIY jobs: unplug the machine, photograph the wiring before you unplug anything, and never bypass a door lock or a thermal cut-out. Anything involving the sealed refrigerant circuit, gas, or a mains-side repair belongs with a licensed repairer.

Frequently asked questions

What does E3 mean on an Omega dishwasher?

The water did not reach temperature in the allowed time. Either the heating element has failed or the temperature sensor is not reading correctly.

How do I fix E3 on an Omega dishwasher?

Unplug the machine, test the heating element for continuity and to earth, and replace it if it reads open or leaks to earth. If the element tests fine, replace the temperature sensor.

Can I reset E3?

You can restart the program, but E3 returns as soon as the machine tries to heat unless the element or sensor is replaced.

Is E3 the element or the sensor?

The element is the more common cause. Test it first; a sensor is the fault when the element reads a normal resistance and does not leak to earth.

Why are my dishes cold and greasy without a code?

The heater may be failing intermittently or the program may finish before the fault is flagged. Test the element anyway; the fix is the same.

Where is the model number on an Omega dishwasher?

Open the door and look at the sticker on the edge of the door or the side of the tub, for example ODW702XB or OFI602X. Use it to match the heater or sensor.

Read the code, then fit the part

Test the element, then the sensor. One of them is the E3, and both are parts you can fit at home. Find your Omega part now

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.