Jackson Dishwasher Error Code F3: No Water in Wash Tank
F3 on a Jackson DishStar HT-E means the wash tank is not filling, which can be caused by an open door or a fill part. Close the door fully first. If F3 stays, the fill solenoid, fill relay or door switch needs a technician.
Medium: the machine will not fill, but a closed door often resolves it.
- Code
- F3
- Maker
- Jackson
- Equipment
- Dish machines
- Applies to
- DishStar HT-E undercounter dishmachines (same F-code table is also printed in the DynaTemp door-type manual 07610-004-29-29-D, pp. 22-24, where F12 is 'Not Used
What does Jackson error code F3 mean?
Before a wash cycle starts, the machine fills its wash tank. The control will only start the fill when it knows the door is closed, so an open door inhibits fill mode. When the tank does not fill, the control shows "F3 No water in wash tank" with the line "Check inlet water and door". The manual lists three causes: a fill solenoid or fill relay that is not working, a door that is open and stopping fill, or a door switch that has failed. The first two are about water getting into the tank; the third is about the machine believing the door is open when it is closed. The manual's actions follow that order. Replace the failed part; close the door to activate the door switch; replace or adjust the door switch. The code is easy to confuse with F8, whose display text is the same, and the manual treats them as separate entries.
Affected models and control systems
Jackson DishStar HT-E undercounter dishmachines. The same table appears in the DynaTemp door-type manual, pp. 22-24.
Code numbers and their meaning can change between control generations. We match the full model and control before acting on a code.
What you may notice
- Display reads F3 No water in wash tank, Check inlet water and door
- Tank stays empty or fills very slowly
- Cycle will not begin until the tank is full
Possible causes
Listed in Jackson's documentation
- Fill solenoid or fill relay malfunctioning
- Door open, which inhibits fill mode
- Door switch failed
Other likely causes — what usually sits behind error code F3 on this control. A technician confirms which one it is before any part is replaced.
- A door latched against a rack or a stray pan so the switch never closes
- A door switch whose actuator has shifted after the door was bumped
- A supply valve partly closed so the fill is too slow to reach the sensor
Safe checks before calling for service
- Open the door and close it firmly, making sure no rack or item is blocking it.
- Check that the water supply valve to the machine is open.
- Restart and see whether the tank starts to fill.
- If F3 stays, note whether you could hear the fill valve at all when the door was closed.
How a technician diagnoses error code F3
- Confirm F3 and check the door closes against the switch.
- Observe whether the fill solenoid clicks and water enters when the door is closed.
- Check voltage from the fill relay to the fill solenoid and replace the failed part.
- Check the door switch with a meter while closing the door; replace or adjust it if it does not change state.
- Run a full fill and wash cycle to confirm the code stays clear.
- Fill relay and solenoid tests are done with the machine's control voltage present.
- The door switch is inside the machine's frame and needs removal of panels to adjust or replace.
- Water, line voltage and a stainless cabinet are a poor mix for guesswork.
How error code F3 differs from similar codes
F3 and F8 share the same display text, 'No water in wash tank' with 'Check inlet water and door'; the manual lists them as separate entries with slightly different actions.
Technical reference
- Document
- DishStar HT-E Installation, Operation, and Service Manual
- Edition
- 07610-004-43-79-J (Rev J)
- Models / control
- DishStar HT-E undercounter dishmachines (same F-code table is also printed in the DynaTemp door-type manual 07610-004-29-29-D, pp. 22-24, where F12 is 'Not Used
- Section
- Fault Codes / Troubleshooting, printed pp. 26-28 (PDF pp. 33-35)
- Checked
- October 2026
We use the maker's document to read the code and do not reproduce it. Always confirm the complete model and control before applying these steps.
Related Jackson dish machine error codes
Why does F3 mention the door?
An open door inhibits fill mode, so the machine will not fill with the door open.
Will F3 clear if I just close the door?
If an open door was the only cause, the fill should start and the code should clear.
Is F3 the same as F8?
The display text matches, but they are separate entries in the manual's table.
Need help with Jackson error code F3?
A technician confirms the cause on site and gives you the price in writing before any work starts.