KitchenAid Induction Cooktop Code E_03: pressure on the control panel

What E_03 means

KitchenAid induction cooktops, including the KCIG550 and KICU509 series, show E_03 when something is pressing on the control area. Objects, liquids or soil lying on the touch panel apply pressure to it, and the cooktop reads that as a stuck or held control. You see E_03 on the display, and the cooktop may refuse to respond to the touches you make.

Common causes of E_03

A pot lid, towel or utensil resting on the control area.
Spilled liquid or a film of soil over the touch keys.
A wet cloth left on the panel after cleaning.

✓ One safe check you can try

1. Turn the cooktop off and clear everything from the control area. 2. Wipe the panel with a soft, slightly damp cloth, then dry it. 3. Keep pots and utensils away from the touch keys. 4. Switch the cooktop breaker off for one minute and back on to reset power. 5. Touch the keys again and see whether E_03 is gone.

! Why to stop there

Wiping and clearing the panel solves most of these cases.
A touch panel that keeps reading pressure on an empty surface needs inspection.
You hear the price before we pick up any tools.

Opening a panel yourself does not automatically cancel a manufacturer warranty, but it can cause accidental damage, and some manufacturers set their own service conditions. Check your warranty terms, or ask us, before deciding.

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Other Cooktop codes

Performance Boost Flashing - Power Level ChangesKitchenAid Induction Cooktop Performance Boost Flashing: power levels change between zones F61KitchenAid Induction Cooktop Code F61: a wide net of touch control, module, wiring and supply Power Level Lower Than Level RequestedKitchenAid Induction Cooktop: power level lower than the level you requested F63KitchenAid Induction Cooktop Code F63: touch control, power module or supply need checking U uKitchenAid Induction Cooktop Symbol "U u": pan not recognized on the zone F64KitchenAid Induction Cooktop Code F64: the touch control and power module group FC E0KitchenAid Induction Cooktop Code FC E0: supply, wiring or the induction module FC E1KitchenAid Induction Cooktop Code FC E1: touchpad or the cable behind it

E_03E_03 questions

What is pressing on my cooktop?

Anything lying on the control area counts, including a lid, a dishtowel, or a thin film of grease or water. The cooktop senses sustained pressure and displays E_03 until it is removed.

How do I clear E_03?

Remove every item, wipe the panel dry, then reset power at the breaker for a minute. If the display returns to normal, nothing else is needed.

E_03 returns on a clean panel. Who fixes it?

That points to the touch control itself. We inspect it, state the price in writing first, and cover our work with a 30-day warranty. The visit usually starts with a look at the panel surface.