Water Flow Issue (E2)Updated 2 hours ago
If your chiller shows E2 or a "Water flow malfunction" alarm on any of the chillers it means the unit isn't detecting enough water moving through it, and it's shut down to protect the pump. This is one of the most common alarms, and it's usually a quick fix.
The good news: it's rarely a fault with the chiller itself. In almost every case it's water level or a filter.
Quick checks (start here as these fix it most of the time)
Work through these in order:
- Check your water level. If the water is too low, the chiller can't draw enough through the system. Top up so the level fully covers the inlet fitting and try again.
- Check your filter. A blocked or dirty filter is the single most common cause. Remove and clean the mesh filter, and check the cartridge isn't clogged. See Filter Maintenance Full Guide for how.
- Check your hoses. Make sure they're not kinked, twisted, or pinched anywhere between the chiller and the tub. Even a partial kink restricts flow enough to trigger the alarm. Ensure about 100cm of clearance around all sides.
- Power off and reset. Switch off at the wall, wait 30 seconds, and power back on to clear the alarm once you've addressed the above.
Either way, the unit is working as designed. A quick video walkthrough is available here.
Step-by-step diagnosis (if the quick checks didn't clear it)
The chiller needs a minimum flow to run it confirms a successful start when flow exceeds 8 L/min for 40 seconds, and alarms after 5 failed restart attempts. Its protection threshold is 10 L/min. So if water is moving but not enough, you'll still see the alarm. Work through the causes:
- Water level (again, properly). Refill above the inlet fitting and watch as the pump starts if the level drops below the inlet, you've found it.
- Filter housing and flow meter. Beyond the main filter, check there's no debris in the filter housing or around the flow meter restricting movement. Clean anything you find.
- Hose runs. Disconnect, check for internal blockages, and reconnect make sure connections are firm and the inlet/outlet aren't reversed.
- Did the filter do something? In rare cases the filter may be what's causing the E2 error message. Remove the filter and run your unit through a cycle to see if water flow improves.
- Reset and observe. After clearing each potential cause, power-off reset and watch whether the unit completes its startup or alarms again after several attempts.
When to contact us
If you've checked water level, cleaned the filter, confirmed the hoses are clear and unkinked, and reset the unit (and E2 still returns) the flow meter or water pump itself may be faulty. That's not a user repair.
Contact support with your order number, your model, and confirmation of the checks you've already done. It helps us skip straight to diagnosis rather than repeating steps.
Stop this happening again
E2 is most often a filter that's overdue for cleaning. Staying on top of filter maintenance prevents the majority of water-flow alarms:
- Rinse the mesh filter weekly
- Replace the cartridge on schedule
- When replacing filters always clear the air pockets out of the unit and ensure enough water is in the unit and the tub before powering back on
See Filter Maintenance Full Guide for the full routine, and Water Care Maintenance to keep debris down in the first place.