Are you trying with a different strip each time?
In the manual it says turn the meter off and on again, or take the batteries out for 20 sec then reinsert them. One of mine said E7 a few times once, taking the batteries out worked, it's been fine since. It was my spare, I hadn't used it for about a year so maybe that had something to do with it. Do a control test afterwards to make sure it works ok.
Phone number is 0800 701 000
If you ring them, tell them that you have to buy your own strips, and that you've wasted a few because of the error, they might send you some replacements, they've been very helpful when I rang them.