VERIFIED
It comes back every time
You unplug the machine, wait, plug it in, and there is E38 again. You try a different outlet, fresh water, a clean tray. Still E38. The code is model-dependent, so its definition cannot be named here, yet its persistence says something useful: the condition behind it is present all the time.
Intermittent versus constant
A glitch caused by a power flicker or a temporary reading clears with a restart. A constant condition does not: a part that has failed, a sensor that is stuck at an out-of-range value, a blocked passage, or a stored fault the control holds until it is cleared properly. That difference changes how the visit is planned. Testing separates a live condition from a remembered one, so a persistent code alone does not prove a part has failed.
Stop the loop
Repeated restarts do not help once a code is stable. They do not harm much either, but they waste time and sometimes cycle the pump or heater against a blocked path. After a second clean restart with the same result, stop and gather information. One documented power cycle is enough, so note what the display did and how long the code took to appear.
What to collect
- A photo of the display and the rating label
- How soon after power-on the code appears
- Whether the machine does anything else, such as rinsing or heating
- What happened just before it first appeared
Two safe tests
- Remove the tank and tray, power on, and see whether the code changes.
- Try a different wall outlet without any power strip.
If neither changes anything, the cause is inside the machine.
What gets looked at first
A technician connects the machine to measuring equipment where the model allows it, reads the supply, tests each sensor input and checks the actuators one at a time. Persistent codes are in some ways the easier ones to find, because they do not hide. Reading each sensor input against the model’s expected range shows whether a value is stuck, drifting or missing.
Protecting the machine while waiting
Switch it off at the wall, empty the tank and drip tray, and keep the area dry. That prevents stale water from sitting in the lines and keeps the visit simple.
When to book
Book promptly. A fault present at every start can be tested directly, and leaving the machine switched off protects it meanwhile. The technician diagnoses, writes an estimate for your review, and fits only what you approve.
Frequently asked questions
A constant condition, such as a failed part or stuck sensor, does not clear with a power cycle.
It is unlikely to change a persistent code. A diagnosis is the useful next step.
If it is safe and shows no smell or noise, yes, though switching it off while waiting is sensible.
The model number, a photo of the display and what happened before the code first appeared.
Model compatibility: Bertazzoni reuses codes across series and model years, so E38 may mean something different on another appliance or generation. Confirm this against your model’s documentation and record your full model number before acting.
