Bosch washing machine repair at home
Is E18, E17 or another code showing on your Bosch? Below you can read what the code means and what you can try yourself. If that doesn’t work, a technician comes to your home.
Bosch washing machines report a fault with a code that starts with an E or an F. The code tells you which part has stopped working. Some codes you can solve yourself in five minutes, such as a full lint filter or a closed tap. Others, such as the drain pump, the door lock or the motor, need tools and know-how.
We carry out Bosch washing machine repairs at home across Belgium. The diagnosis costs €69. If you decide not to go ahead, that’s all you pay. If you choose the repair, it costs a maximum of €179 in total.
Prices
How much does Bosch washing machine repair cost?
Whether your Bosch washing machine won't drain, leaks or shows an error code: you pay the same fixed price, just like for any other brand.
A technician finds out at your home why your Bosch washing machine isn't working properly. If you don't go ahead with the repair, you only pay for the diagnosis.
If the technician can repair your Bosch washing machine, you pay €110. No time limit: even if it takes long or a second visit is needed.
Spare parts are not included. The technician tells you in advance if a part is needed and what it costs.
Chrono surcharge for a visit in the evening, at the weekend or just a few hours after your request.
Second appliance during the same visit? The technician can check and repair it too for €80.
Maintenance as well? The technician can also clean and check your appliance thoroughly, for €50 per appliance on top of the diagnosis and repair.
Prefer remote help first? A video repair costs €49. See all our prices →
Bosch washing machine error codes
Bosch shows a fault as a code starting with E or F, followed by a number. Both letters mean the same thing; the difference depends on the model and software version. Mention the code when you book, so the technician brings the right part.
| Code | What is going on | DIY fix |
|---|---|---|
| E18, F18 | The water won't drain. Usually a blocked lint filter or a kinked drain hose, sometimes the drain pump. | Yes |
| E6, E25, E26, E30, E36, E80 | Variants of E18, depending on model and software. Here too, check the filter and drain hose first. | Partly |
| E17, F17 | Too little or no water. Tap not fully open, kinked hose or a blocked mesh filter in the connection. | Yes |
| E11, E12, E29 | Also water supply: too slow, too little pressure, or the flow sensor measures nothing. | Partly |
| E16, F16 | The door doesn't close properly. Check that no laundry is trapped. No click when closing? Then the door lock is faulty. | Partly |
| E23, F23, E35 | The Aquastop detects water in the base of the machine. Turn off the tap straight away and unplug the machine. | No |
| E21, F21 | Fault in the motor or its control. The drum doesn't turn. | No |
| E32 | Not a fault. The laundry is unevenly spread and the machine refuses to spin. | Yes |
| E10 | Fault in i-DOS, the automatic dosing on some Series 6 and Series 8 models. You can still wash with detergent in the drawer. | No |
If the last column says No, the fault involves mains-powered parts or electronics. Working on those yourself is dangerous and often makes the damage worse. Book a technician instead.
The most common Bosch error codes explained
What does error code E18 mean on a Bosch washing machine?
E18, or F18 on older models, is the code we see most often. The machine can’t get the water out, or not fast enough, and water stays in the drum. In most cases the lint filter is full: coins, buttons and hair ties.
- Unplug the machine and open the flap at the bottom right of the front.
- Put a shallow tray or an old towel under the flap. More water comes out than you expect.
- Pull out the emergency drain hose, remove the cap and let the water run out.
- Unscrew the filter anticlockwise, remove whatever is in it and check that the pump impeller turns freely.
- Screw the filter back in firmly clockwise, otherwise it will leak.
- Check that the drain hose at the back isn’t kinked and doesn’t rise more than 1 metre above the floor.
- Pour a litre of water into the detergent drawer and start a short drain programme.
If E18 stays with a clean filter, the drain pump itself is faulty. That is a routine repair.
What does error code E17 mean on a Bosch washing machine?
E17 or F17 means too little water is coming in. Open the tap fully and check that the inlet hose isn’t kinked. A quick test for water pressure: if the tap fills a 10-litre bucket in one minute, the pressure is sufficient.
If that’s fine, clean the mesh filter in the inlet hose connection. First turn off the tap, start a programme, let it run for 40 seconds and stop it. That releases the pressure on the hose. Unscrew the hose at the tap and brush the filter clean with a toothbrush. If E17 comes back afterwards, the inlet valve is faulty.
The codes E11, E12 and E29 also concern the water supply. With E29, the flow sensor in the Aquastop hose measures nothing. Clean the filter there too. If the code persists, the sensor or the inlet valve needs replacing.
What does error code E16 mean on a Bosch washing machine?
E16 or F16 means the door isn’t locked properly, so the machine won’t start. Check that no clothing is trapped between the door and the seal, and that the drum isn’t overfilled. Wipe the door hook and the opening in the machine with a damp cloth and close the door firmly until you hear a click. No click, or does the code stay? Then the door lock is faulty.
What does error code E23 mean on a Bosch washing machine?
E23, F23 or E35 is a warning to take seriously. The Aquastop has found water in the base of the machine: there is a leak. Turn off the tap immediately and unplug the machine. Check whether the door seal is torn and whether the detergent drawer is overflowing with foam. If you find nothing, the leak is inside, at a hose or the pump. A technician needs to trace it.
What does error code E21 mean on a Bosch washing machine?
E21 or F21 concerns the motor. Sometimes it’s a temporary glitch: switch the machine off, wait three minutes and restart. If the code comes back, it’s worn carbon brushes, the motor itself or the control board that drives the motor.
What does error code E32 mean on a Bosch washing machine?
E32 sometimes flashes alternately with End. It isn’t a fault. The laundry is on one side of the drum, for example a single wet towel or a pair of jeans, and the machine refuses to spin to protect itself. Spread the laundry out, add a few items to a small load and start a spin programme. If the machine keeps shaking hard or stopping, the shock absorbers or bearings are worn.
What does error code E10 mean on a Bosch washing machine?
E10 points to a fault in i-DOS, the system that doses detergent automatically on some Series 6 and Series 8 models. The machine then switches i-DOS off by itself. You can keep washing by putting detergent in the drawer by hand. Repairing the i-DOS system itself is a job for a technician.
Bosch washing machine problems without an error code
Why won’t my Bosch washing machine start?
First check in the fuse box that the washing machine’s circuit hasn’t tripped, and that the plug is firmly in the socket. Is the child lock on? On most Bosch models you switch it off by pressing two buttons together for three seconds; which buttons is shown in the manual for your model. Close the door again until you hear a click. Then unplug the machine for 30 seconds and try again. If it still won’t start, the control board or the door lock is faulty.
How do I reset a Bosch washing machine?
A reset won’t fix a mechanical fault, but it does clear a code that has got stuck. Turn the programme dial to Off, unplug the machine and wait five minutes. Plug it back in and choose a short programme, such as rinse or drain. If the same code comes straight back, something really is broken and resetting again won’t help.
How do I prevent error codes on my Bosch washing machine?
Three habits make the difference. Clean the lint filter every one to three months: a full filter causes most E18 messages. Once a month, run an empty wash at 60 to 90 degrees with a machine cleaner, because washing cold leaves grease and soap residue in the drum and the hoses. And turn the inlet tap fully off and on again every six months, so limescale doesn’t seize it.
Your Bosch working again, with no surprises
We are not an authorised Bosch service partner and we don't pretend to be. We are an independent repair service. For you, that mainly means: no waiting list of several weeks, a fixed price you know in advance, and a technician who works on Bosch and other washing machines every day.
We repair every series, from Series 2 to Series 8, including models with i-DOS, ActiveWater or a wifi connection. Bosch parts are readily available, so a repair almost always works out. Our technicians carry the drain pump, door lock, inlet valve and carbon brushes for the common models.
If your appliance is still under the manufacturer's warranty, we refer you to Bosch or to the shop where you bought it. A repair by us could void that warranty, and that is not in your interest.
Where do we repair Bosch washing machines at home?
Our technicians work in Antwerp, the Brussels-Capital Region, East Flanders, West Flanders, Flemish Brabant, Limburg, Liège, Namur, Hainaut and Walloon Brabant.
Do your technicians have to travel from Vilvoorde every morning?
No. Our technicians live all over Belgium and set off each morning from their own town. The parts they need are delivered straight to their home. That way we reach you quickly, without long drives and often as soon as the next working day.
Not a Bosch, or a different appliance?
Our washing machine repair page lists the symptoms and prices for every brand. Is another Bosch appliance broken, such as a dishwasher or tumble dryer? See our Bosch repair service page. And if a second appliance is faulty besides your washing machine, we repair it during the same visit for 80 euros extra.
Frequently asked questions about Bosch washing machine repair
The home diagnosis costs €69. If you go ahead with the repair, you pay a maximum of €179 in total, however long the technician takes. Parts are charged separately and the technician tells you the price beforehand. If you decide not to repair after the diagnosis, you only pay €69.
Almost always. Bosch builds sturdy machines and parts stay available for a long time. For an appliance under ten years old, a repair of at most €179 is nearly always cheaper than a new machine. If it’s the drum bearings of an old appliance, the technician will tell you honestly whether replacing it makes more sense.
All series: Series 2, Series 4, Series 6 and Series 8, including models with i-DOS, ActiveWater or SpeedPerfect. The error code system is the same across all series.
The drain pump, the door lock, the inlet valve and the motor’s carbon brushes. Those four account for most repairs. Our technicians carry them for the common Bosch models.
No, we are an independent repair service. We don’t work on behalf of Bosch and are not an official service partner. In practice, that means shorter waiting times and a fixed price you know in advance.
No. If your Bosch is still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, contact Bosch or the shop where you bought it. A repair by us could void that warranty.
Often as soon as the next working day. Our technicians live all over Belgium and set off from their own town. When you book, you immediately see which slots are free.
We give a 3-month warranty on every repair we carry out. If the same fault comes back within that period, we return at no extra cost.
Make the washing machine accessible and leave room to pull it forward. Take the laundry out of the drum. Having the model number and the error code to hand makes the diagnosis quicker. The model number is usually on a sticker in the door opening.
Use the button on this page to choose a day and a time slot yourself. You can also call 02 615 45 20. When booking, mention that it is a Bosch, together with the model number and the error code.