Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Error Code A3

The A3 error code on a Fisher & Paykel dishwasher indicates a drain failure: the control system has detected that water cannot be evacuated from the tub within the expected time frame. The drain system on these dishwashers consists of a drain pump, drain hose, and connection to a household drain or garbage disposal. When the control board commands a drain cycle and water remains in the tub beyond the allowable threshold, the A3 fault is triggered and the cycle halts to prevent overflow or mechanical damage.

The most straightforward cause is a physical blockage somewhere in the drain path. Food debris, broken glass, or other foreign objects can clog the filter assembly at the bottom of the tub, restrict the drain hose, or jam the impeller inside the drain pump itself. A kinked drain hose or an improperly connected garbage disposal knockout plug are also common culprits that prevent water from exiting the tub. Because the first diagnostic step is confirming whether water is actually present in the tub, a technician can quickly determine if the drain attempt failed entirely or only partially.

If the drain path is clear, the fault may point to an electrical or mechanical failure in the drain pump motor. A pump that hums but does not move water, or one that does not activate at all, will produce the same A3 code. Wiring connections to the pump should be inspected for corrosion or looseness. In some cases the control board itself may be failing to send the correct signal to the pump, though this is a less common scenario compared to blockages or pump motor failure.