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Bosch washing machine error codes

32 codes that Bosch publishes for its washing machines, each with what it means, the likely cause, what you can safely check and when to call a technician. Tap your code:

Switch off and unplug before checking. Anything electrical, anything to do with gas, and any water leak at the mains: call a technician. Codes that need one are marked Technician.

Read this first

Bosch washing machines show either a short code such as E18 or F18 (older machines use F, newer ones E for the same fault) or a two-part code such as E:30 / -10. Every code below is on Bosch's own error-code page. Neff and Siemens washing machines come from the same group (BSH) and often share codes, but check your own manual: the source here is Bosch's.

E:00 -18 Drain pump blocked

What it means
The pump is blocked or obstructed (shown as E:00 alternating with -18).
Likely cause
Debris in the pump, drain hose or drain pipe.
What you can safely check

Switch off and unplug before checking.

  • Clean the drain hose and drain pipe.
  • Clean the drain pump as your manual shows. The water that comes out may be hot.
When to call a technician
If the pump and hose are clear and the code returns, call a technician.

Source: Bosch, Bosch Home Appliances US — Owner support: Washer error codes Checked 2026-09-28.

E:00 -23 Water in the base

What it means
There is water in the base of the machine, or it is leaking.
Likely cause
A leak.
What you can safely check

Switch off and unplug before checking.

  • Turn off the water tap.
When to call a technician
Technician Water leak: call a technician.

Source: Bosch, Bosch Home Appliances US — Owner support: Washer error codes Checked 2026-09-28.

E:10 -00 E:10 -10 E:10 -20 i-Dos dosing pump blocked

What it means
The pump of the automatic (intelligent) dosing system is blocked.
Likely cause
Detergent residue in the dosing pump unit.
What you can safely check

Switch off and unplug before checking.

  • Put the machine in standby and clean the pump unit as your manual shows, then switch on again.
  • Until it is fixed you can switch automatic dosing off and add detergent by hand.
When to call a technician
If the code returns or no programme will start, call a technician.

Source: Bosch, Bosch Home Appliances US — Owner support: Washer error codes Checked 2026-09-28.

E16 F16 E34 F34 Door not locked

What it means
The door is not locked properly.
Likely cause
The door is not fully shut, a full load is pressing on it, or something is caught between door and housing.
What you can safely check

Switch off and unplug before checking.

  • Close the door until it clicks audibly.
  • Check nothing is jammed between door and housing, then restart the programme.
When to call a technician
If the door shuts properly and the code stays, call a technician.

Source: Bosch, Bosch Home Appliances US — Owner support: Washer error codes Checked 2026-09-28.

E17 F17 F29 Water not coming in fast enough

What it means
The filters in the water connection or AquaStop hose are blocked, or the water pressure is too low.
Likely cause
Blocked inlet filters or low pressure.
What you can safely check

Switch off and unplug before checking.

  • Turn off the tap, take the hose off the tap and clean the filter with a small brush. The AquaStop box contains an electric valve: do not put it in water.
  • On machines without AquaStop, the second filter is where the hose meets the back of the machine.
  • Reconnect, check for leaks and turn the tap fully on: about 10 litres a minute should flow.
When to call a technician
If the pressure itself is too low, a plumber is needed; if it is fine and the code stays, call a technician.

Source: Bosch, Bosch Home Appliances US — Owner support: Washer error codes Checked 2026-09-28.

E18 F18 Not draining

What it means
The drain hose is blocked or kinked, or the pump is blocked.
Likely cause
A kinked or blocked drain hose or siphon, or debris in the drain pump.
What you can safely check

Switch off and unplug before checking.

  • Set the programme to off and pull out the mains plug first. The water may be very hot.
  • Check the drain hose is laid without kinks; clean the hose and the siphon spigot.
  • Open the service flap and clean the pump as your manual shows.
When to call a technician
If the hose and pump are clear and the code returns, call a technician.

Source: Bosch, Bosch Home Appliances US — Owner support: Washer error codes Checked 2026-09-28.

E:30 -10 Water intake problem

What it means
A water-intake fault, often shown with a tap icon.
Likely cause
Low water pressure, blocked inlet filters, the tap turned off, a kinked inlet hose — or a defective water-level measuring system.
What you can safely check

Switch off and unplug before checking.

  • Turn the tap on and check the inlet hose is not kinked.
  • Clean the filters in the water inlet.
  • Wait about 5 minutes for draining to end, switch the machine off, then on again.
When to call a technician
If the code returns, the water-level system may be defective: call a technician.

Source: Bosch, Bosch Home Appliances US — Owner support: Washer error codes Checked 2026-09-28.

E:30 -20 Too much water or foam

What it means
Too much detergent, extra water added during the wash, or a defective water valve.
Likely cause
Overdosing, or a faulty solenoid valve.
What you can safely check

Switch off and unplug before checking.

  • Reduce the detergent next time with the same load.
  • Do not add water while the machine runs.
When to call a technician
If neither applies, the solenoid valve may be defective: call a technician.

Source: Bosch, Bosch Home Appliances US — Owner support: Washer error codes Checked 2026-09-28.

E:30 -80 E:36 -10 Draining problem

What it means
A drainage fault.
Likely cause
A blocked or kinked drain pipe or outlet hose, an outlet hose fitted higher than 1 m, an unsuitable hose extension, a blocked drain pump or a pump cap not screwed fully in — or too much detergent.
What you can safely check

Switch off and unplug before checking.

  • Clean and straighten the drain pipe and outlet hose; the outlet must be no higher than 1 m; remove unsuitable extensions.
  • Clean the drain pump and screw the cap fully in (handle vertical).
  • Use less detergent next time.
When to call a technician
If all of these are fine and the code stays, call a technician.

Source: Bosch, Bosch Home Appliances US — Owner support: Washer error codes Checked 2026-09-28.

E:36 -25 E:36 -26 E:38 -25 E:38 -26 Drain pump blocked

What it means
The drain pump is blocked.
Likely cause
Debris in the pump.
What you can safely check

Switch off and unplug before checking.

  • Clean the drain pump as your manual shows. For E:38, Bosch says to clean the drum first and the pump if the code comes back.
When to call a technician
If the pump is clean and the code returns, call a technician.

Source: Bosch, Bosch Home Appliances US — Owner support: Washer error codes Checked 2026-09-28.

E32 F32 E:60 -2B H:32 Unbalanced load

What it means
The load is unevenly spread, so the spin is cut short or slowed to protect the machine.
Likely cause
One heavy item, or large items alone.
What you can safely check

Switch off and unplug before checking.

  • Redistribute the laundry; wash large and small items together.
  • Close zips and buttons on pillow and duvet covers.
When to call a technician
Not a fault on its own. If every load does it, call a technician.

Source: Bosch, Bosch Home Appliances US — Owner support: Washer error codes Checked 2026-09-28.

E33 F33 Too much foam

What it means
Detergent foam has been detected.
Likely cause
Too much or old detergent, especially with lightly soiled laundry.
What you can safely check

Switch off and unplug before checking.

  • Use less detergent; follow the dose on the pack for the soil level.
When to call a technician
Not a fault on its own: no technician needed.

Source: Bosch, Bosch Home Appliances US — Owner support: Washer error codes Checked 2026-09-28.

E:92 -01 Low water pressure

What it means
The water pressure is low or the inlet filters are blocked.
Likely cause
Low pressure or blocked filters.
What you can safely check

Switch off and unplug before checking.

  • Clean the filters in the water inlet.
When to call a technician
Nothing on the machine can fix pressure that is too low: a plumber is needed.

Source: Bosch, Bosch Home Appliances US — Owner support: Washer error codes Checked 2026-09-28.

H9E No hot water (hot-fill machines)

What it means
Shown with a tap icon on machines with a hot-water connection: hot water is not arriving.
Likely cause
The hot tap is off, the hot hose is kinked, the hot water pressure is too low or the strainer in the hose is clogged.
What you can safely check

Switch off and unplug before checking.

  • Turn on the hot tap and check the hot hose is connected and not kinked.
  • Clean the strainers in the supply hose.
When to call a technician
If supply and hose are fine, call a technician.

Source: Bosch, Bosch Home Appliances US — Owner support: Washer error codes Checked 2026-09-28.

E80 Drive circuit fault

What it means
A fault in the drive (motor) circuit.
Likely cause
An electrical fault.
What you can safely check

Nothing for the owner to check: this one is for a technician.

When to call a technician
Technician Electrical: Bosch says only an authorised technician can fix it. Call a technician.

Source: Bosch, Bosch Home Appliances US — Owner support: Washer error codes Checked 2026-09-28.

CL Child lock on

What it means
The child lock is active. Not a fault.
Likely cause
The child lock was switched on.
What you can safely check

Switch off and unplug before checking.

  • Switch the child lock off as your manual shows.
When to call a technician
No technician needed.

Source: Bosch, Bosch Home Appliances US — Owner support: Washer error codes Checked 2026-09-28.

A code that is not listed here

For any other code, Bosch's page says: switch the machine off and on; if the code returns, disconnect it from the power for at least 30 seconds; if it still returns, contact Bosch with the exact code.

We list only codes the source below states. If your code is not here, it may belong to a model the source does not cover: your model’s manual is the authority.

Related pages

Source

Every code on this page comes from this page, published by Bosch and read on the date shown. Meanings are written in our own words; nothing is taken from other makes, other models or third-party code sites.