E-3
Accu-Chek Blood Glucose Meter
Severity: MinorWhat Does This Error Mean?
E-3 means the meter's internal temperature sensor detected that the operating environment is too cold (below 10°C / 50°F) or too hot (above 40°C / 104°F). Test strips give inaccurate results outside this range, so the meter refuses to proceed. Move to a room-temperature environment and wait 5 minutes before retesting.
Affected Models
- Accu-Chek Guide
- Accu-Chek Instant
- Accu-Chek Aviva
- Accu-Chek Active
- Accu-Chek Performa
How to Fix It
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Move to a room-temperature environment
Bring the meter and strips to a room where the temperature is between 10°C and 40°C (50°F–104°F). The ideal testing temperature is 18–25°C (64–77°F). Do not test in a parked car on a hot or cold day, near an open window in winter, or in direct sunlight.
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Allow the meter and strips to stabilise
After moving to a suitable temperature, wait at least 5 minutes before testing. Both the meter and the test strips need time to reach the ambient temperature — strips that are still cold from a bag or coat pocket can cause inaccurate results even after the meter itself has warmed up.
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Do not warm the meter artificially
Do not place the meter near a heater, hold it against the body for warmth, or blow on it to warm it up. Rapid temperature changes cause condensation inside the meter, which can damage the electronics and the strip port.
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Store strips at room temperature
Test strips must be stored between 4°C and 30°C (39°F–86°F). Avoid leaving strips in a car, refrigerator, or bathroom. Storing strips at the correct temperature reduces the risk of E-3 occurring during testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is E-3 harmful to the meter?
No. E-3 is a precautionary message. The meter is working correctly by refusing to run a test that would give an unreliable result. Once the temperature is within range, the error clears automatically and the meter functions normally.
I am testing indoors at normal room temperature but still see E-3 — why?
If the meter or strips were recently brought in from a cold or hot environment, they may still be at the wrong temperature despite the room being warm. Wait 10 minutes for them to fully stabilise. If E-3 persists in a comfortable room, the internal temperature sensor may be faulty — contact Accu-Chek support.