Repair Bosch washing machine at home
Certified technicians for your Bosch washing machine — fixed price, original parts, 3 months warranty
Most common Bosch washing machine faults
Our technicians repair Bosch washing machines daily. These are the faults we encounter most often:
- E18 / F18 — machine not draining — filter or drain hose blocked
- E17 / F17 — no water supply — tap closed or filter in the supply hose blocked
- E16 / F16 — door issue — laundry stuck in the door or door lock defective
- E23 / F23 — Aquastop activated — leakage detected, technician required
- E32 — imbalance — laundry unevenly distributed, no fault
- E21 / F21 — motor fault — motor or circuit board defective
- E11 / E12 / E29 — water supply issues — pressure, filter or sensor
- E6 / E25 / E26 / E30 / E36 — drainage issues — variants of E18
- E10 — i-DOS error code — automatic dosing system, technician required
- Washing machine does not start — power, child lock or door
Do you not recognise your problem? The technician will diagnose on-site.
What does a Bosch washing machine repair cost?
We.repair helps you quickly:
- diagnosis
- we do not sell and aim for a repair
- clear rates
- 3 months repair warranty
- original spare parts
- certified technicians
€69
Diagnosis
We determine the cause of the fault at your home. If you decide not to repair it after the diagnosis (e.g. because the part is too expensive), you only pay for the diagnosis at €69.
+ €110
Repair
If the technician can repair it, you pay €110. There is no maximum on the time. Even a second visit is included. You only pay this when and if it is repaired.
= €179
Fixed repair price
No worries, with We.repair you pay a maximum of €179 (€69 + €110) for a repair.
Even if the technician has a lot of work to disassemble the device and find and solve the problem. Replacement parts are not included. The technician will inform you after the analysis if any parts need to be replaced.
Book an appointment with a technician
This is how our Bosch repair service works
- Book online — choose your time slot, no queue
- Technician at home — often the next working day
- Diagnosis — honest advice: repair or not
- Repair — in most cases resolved immediately
- Warranty — 3 months on labour and parts
We repair all Bosch washing machine series
From the affordable Series 2 to the extensive Series 8 with ActiveWater Plus and i-DOS, We.repair fixes all Bosch washing machines, including models with WiFi connectivity and automatic detergent dosing. Bosch parts are generally well available, making repair almost always possible.
Why choose We.repair for your Bosch?
- At home — no hassle with transport
- Fixed price — no surprises afterwards
- Original parts or equivalent quality
- Certified technicians, trained on all Bosch models
- 3 months warranty on the repair
Do you have another Bosch appliance that needs repairing?
Bosch builds its washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers on related technology. Our technicians are familiar with those platforms and carry the common parts as standard — for any Bosch appliance, at the same fixed price.
Would you like to see how we approach Bosch and which faults we encounter most often? Check our Bosch repair service.
- Repairing Bosch dishwasher — error codes E15, E24, E09 and more
- Repairing Bosch tumble dryer — condenser and heat pump, Series 6 and Series 8
- Bosch repair service at home
Frequently asked questions about Bosch washing machine repair
Bosch builds sturdy machines that last a long time. A repair is almost always cheaper than replacement — especially for appliances younger than 10 years. Our technician provides honest advice after diagnosis.
All series: Series 2, Series 4, Series 6 and Series 8, including models with i-DOS, ActiveWater and SpeedPerfect.
We work with original or equivalent quality parts. The technician will inform you in advance about which part is needed and what it costs.
Usually the same or the next working day. You book online and choose a time slot yourself.
Tips for your washing machine
With the following advice from our technicians you can possibly improve your washing results from your Bosch washing machine and reduce the chance of breakdown and potentially resulting repairs
Read the user manual !
Keep the instruction manual for your language. Place the other languages in a different location or throw them in the recycling.
Place the instructions in your language in an easily accessible location near the device, so that you do not encounter any resistance in finding and reading them.
The water supply tap may eventually become blocked due to limescale buildup.
Therefore, it is good to fully turn the tap off and then back on every 6 months. This helps to dislodge any possible limescale residues and flush them away.
Try often to first solve the problem by turning the device off and on again using the buttons.
Unplug the power supply from the socket, wait 10 seconds, and then plug the power supply back into the socket.
Check the water pressure directly at the tap using a bucket. Contact your plumber if the water pressure is too low.
Also check if the hose is not blocked or kinked.
Clean the filters of the supply hose.
- Turn off the tap
- Select a pre-wash programme and press start
- Stop the programme after 40 seconds.
- Remove the hose from the tap.
- Clean the filter at the top of the Aquastop with a small brush.
- Reattach the hose to the tap.
- It is also advisable to clean the filter in the coupling at the back of the device, where the hose is attached to the device.
- Check if the device's door is properly closed.
- Restart the programme.
Open the tap and watch for leaks.
This is located - depending on the brand - at the front and bottom of the device, behind a small flap.
Clean and unblock your washing machine filter and pump (behind the flap at the front of the appliance):
- Turn off the tap so that no more water can flow into the machine and needs to be drained by the pump.
- Switch off the machine. Unplug it from the socket.
- Also check if the supply hose is not blocked or kinked.
- Open the filter flap, remove it and set it aside.
- Place a tray with a rim (a baking tray from your oven is handy, for example) in front of the appliance to catch the water (note: a relatively large amount of water may flow out).
Sometimes you see a drain hose, which can be used to let water flow into the bowl. First, remove the cap from the hose.
- Perhaps you should empty the tub a few times in between. Note: right after a wash cycle, this water can be very hot.
- Once all the water has been removed, replace the cap on the drain hose and put the hose back in place.
- Carefully unscrew the pump cover and pull it out. Water may spill out!
- Also, unscrew the filter cover.
- In the filter, you may encounter obstacles such as coins, buttons, or clumped textile fibres that you need to remove.
- Clean the inside, the threads of the lid, and the casing of the pump.
- The rotor in the drainage pump must be able to turn freely. Check if that works. Use a spoon or a stick to test it.
- Then screw the filter cover back on tightly.
- Also reattach the pump cover and tighten it securely.
- Put the lid back in place and close it.
- Now you can turn the electricity and the water supply back on.
NOTE: To prevent unused detergent from flowing directly into the drain during the next wash cycle, you must pour 1 litre of water into the detergent drawer through the compartment designated for liquid detergent, and start the drain programme.
Clean and check the rubber seal regularly.
Too much foam can be produced if you wash laundry that is only lightly soiled or if you add too much detergent or use unsuitable/old detergent.
Foam and water can cause the detergent drawer to overflow or leak through the door.
Especially in areas with soft water and when washing lightly soiled laundry, the amount of detergent should be reduced accordingly.
Too much or too little detergent in your washing machine can lead to poor washing results.
When it comes to the correct dosage of detergent, there are three important considerations:
- Look at how dirty the laundry is: the dirtier the clothes, the more detergent is needed to remove the dirt. You may not see it, but about 70% of the dirt in clothing comes from the body, such as skin flakes, sweat, grease, and other bodily substances. Only 30% of the dirt in clothing comes from external sources, such as food, mud, grass, lotions, and creams.
- Look at how much laundry you have: the recommended amounts of detergent are based on the size of the washing machine drum, and there's a good reason for that. The more laundry there is, the more dirt comes with it, so the more detergent is needed to remove it.
- Check the water hardness in your area: hard water contains many minerals, which need to be softened and neutralised for better washing results. That is why detergent manufacturers recommend using slightly more detergent for this than for areas with average water hardness.
It is very tempting to cram as much laundry as possible into the drum of your washing machine, but overloading your washing machine not only significantly reduces washing performance, it can also seriously damage your appliance.
Important reasons to avoid overloading your washing machine:
- The detergent cannot circulate effectively enough to remove dirt and stains. If the washing machine is overloaded, the laundry moves in one large mass, preventing the garments from moving freely in the drum and the detergent from circulating effectively among the laundry to remove dirt and stains.
- The washing machine and the clothes can become damaged. Overloading also increases the pressure in the drum, especially when it spins at high speed, which can cause damage to the bearings and even lead to the glass door breaking. The clothes are pressed against the door seal, and as the drum turns, the clothes rub against the rubber, causing wear and even tears in the clothing.
How do you best load the washing machine?
- When filling the drum, it is important to find the right balance between enough laundry to wash economically and enough space at the top of the drum for an effective wash result.
- For the best washing results, there must be enough water to dissolve the detergent and enough space for your clothes to move. If you overfill the drum, there will be less water available to dissolve the detergent, as the clothes absorb the water.
- Therefore, it is advisable to leave a hand's width of space at the top of the drum above the laundry. This is approximately equivalent to a 3/4 filled drum.
- Having too little laundry in the drum is also undesirable, as it is uneconomical and can result in a loud, banging noise during spinning, because the load is unevenly distributed.
Did you know that ... with a fully loaded machine, the door sometimes doesn't close properly?
Descaling is not necessary when you always dose the correct amount of detergent.
It contains substances that counteract limescale release in hot water.
If you are not sure whether you are dosing correctly or if you have very hard water at home, or especially if you see limescale deposits, you can descale the device with a descaling product.
Low temperatures, especially in combination with an overdose of detergent, can lead to bacteria and odours in your appliance.
Therefore, it is best to do a wash at least once a month at more than 75 degrees.
Do this certainly if the device requests it via a message on the display.
Also regularly clean your soap drawer with warm water.
Depending on your usage, it is best to carry out a deep clean 1 to 2 times a year to remove fats, detergent residues, mould, and similar substances.
Set your device to a cleaning programme, if you have one. If not, use a cotton programme at +60 degrees.
- Sort the white laundry and wash it separately from other colours.
- Use a detergent specifically for white laundry. It contains ingredients that bleach your wash.
- Use the correct amount of detergent according to the level of soiling of the laundry and the water hardness. If the amount of detergent is incorrect, limescale and soap residues may remain on the clothing, which can lead to a greyish colour.
- Make sure that the bottle of detergent is properly sealed. Some bleaching agents can evaporate.
- White towels can be bleached by placing them in a washing basin with 100 ml of water and 200 ml of bleach, and allowing them to soak for 2 hours. After that, wash them in the washing machine at the highest temperature allowed according to the care instructions for the towels..
- Never mix bleach with other chemicals as this can create toxic substances.
- White towels that have turned grey due to limescale deposits can be made white again by washing them in the washing machine with a small amount of citric acid powder or vinegar, instead of detergent.
No, on most devices you cannot change the direction in which the doors opens. Here's why:
Washing machines have a locking mechanism situated on the left side of the front panel.
This locking mechanism is composed of electrical components that cannot be changed from position.
To improve you laundry experience, you can position the washing machine left or right from the dryer in order to get both doors to open outwards
The door of a dryer can usually be inverted.
That way you will be able to transfer the laundry from the washing machine to the dryer with ease.
How do you read the error codes of a Bosch washing machine?
Bosch washing machines display faults as a code that starts with E: or F: followed by a number. Both letters stand for the same thing — the difference is only in the type of appliance or the software version.
A handy rule of thumb:
- E16 / F16 → door problem
- E17 / F17, E11, E12, E29 → water supply
- E18 / F18, E6, E25, E26, E30, E36 → water drainage
- E23 / F23 → leakage (Aquastop)
- E21 / F21 → motor failure
- E32 → imbalance (not a real defect)
Is your code not listed? Turn off the machine, wait 5 seconds and turn it back on. Does the code remain? Book a repair.
Bosch washing machine error codes explained
Most common Bosch washing machine faults
Our technicians repair Bosch washing machines daily. These are the faults we encounter most often:
- E18 / F18 — machine not draining — filter or drain hose blocked
- E17 / F17 — no water supply — tap closed or filter in the supply hose blocked
- E16 / F16 — door issue — laundry stuck in the door or door lock defective
- E23 / F23 — Aquastop activated — leakage detected, technician required
- E32 — imbalance — laundry unevenly distributed, no fault
- E21 / F21 — motor fault — motor or circuit board defective
- E11 / E12 / E29 — water supply issues — pressure, filter or sensor
- E6 / E25 / E26 / E30 / E36 — drainage issues — variants of E18
- E10 — i-DOS error code — automatic dosing system, technician required
- Washing machine does not start — power, child lock or door
Do you not recognise your problem? The technician will diagnose on-site.
Bosch washing machine E18 or F18 - drainage problem (most common)
What does it mean? E18 or F18 is the most common error code on Bosch washing machines. The machine does not pump the water out or does not do so quickly enough. Water remains in the drum.
Possible causes:
- Lint filter blocked (coins, buttons, hair ties)
- Drain hose kinked or positioned too high (maximum 1 metre height)
- Drain hose blocked or kinked
- Drain pump defective
What can you do yourself?
- Turn off the machine and unplug it.
- Open the service flap at the bottom right on the front of the machine.
- Place a bowl or old towel under the flap — water will come out.
- Disconnect the small emergency drain hose and remove the cap. Let the water run into the bowl (empty the bowl in between).
- Unscrew the pump filter (to the left) and pull it out.
- Remove lint, coins, hair ties or other objects.
- Check if the pump impeller can turn freely with your finger or a spoon.
- Clean the inside of the filter compartment.
- Screw the filter back in (clockwise, tighten well to prevent leaks).
- Check that the drain hose at the back is not kinked and does not come higher than 1 metre above the floor.
- Reconnect the machine and start a drain programme.
Note: After cleaning, pour 1 litre of water into the detergent compartment and start a short drain programme. This will remove detergent residues that would otherwise flow away immediately.
Does E18 remain after cleaning the filter? Then the drain pump is likely defective. Book a repair with We.repair.
Bosch washing machine E17 or F17 - water supply problem
What does it mean? The washing machine is getting too little or no water. The water supply takes too long or does not start.
Possible causes:
- Tap is not (fully) open
- Supply hose is kinked
- Filter in the supply hose is blocked (small sieve at the connection)
- Water pressure too low (less than 10 litres per minute)
What can you do yourself?
- Turn the tap fully open and check the water pressure: fill a bucket in 1 minute — that is the minimum pressure.
- Check the supply hose for kinks.
Reduce the pressure in the hose before cleaning the filter:
- Turn off the supply tap.
- Choose any programme and press Start.
- Let the machine run for 40 seconds and then stop the programme.
- Unplug the machine.
- Remove the supply hose at the tap side.
- Clean the small mesh filter (sieve) in the hose connection with a toothbrush.
- Reconnect the hose and turn on the tap. Watch for leaks.
- Connect the machine and start again.
Is E17 still displayed? Then the water inlet valve (solenoid valve) may be defective. Book a repair with We.repair.
Bosch washing machine E16 or F16 - door problem
What does it mean? The door of the washing machine does not close properly or the door lock is not functioning. The machine does not start.
Possible causes:
- Clothing item caught between the door and rubber gasket
- Soap residue or dirt on the door lock
- Drum overloaded (door does not close completely)
- Door lock or door switch defective
What can you do yourself?
- Open the door and check if there is laundry caught in the door or in the rubber gasket.
- Carefully remove the caught laundry.
- Wipe the door lock (the metal hooks and the receiver on the machine) clean with a damp cloth.
- If necessary, remove some of the laundry from the drum.
- Close the door firmly until you hear a click and start the programme again.
If there is no click, or E16 remains displayed? Then the door lock is defective. Book a repair with We.repair.
Bosch washing machine E23, F23 or E35 - leakage (Aquastop)
What does it mean? The Aquastop has detected water on the base plate of the machine. This is a serious message: there is a leak somewhere in the appliance.
Possible causes:
- Leaking door gasket (rubber ring on door)
- Leaking internal hose or pump
- Defective detergent drawer
- Too much foam (soap overdose)
What can you do yourself?
- Immediately turn off the water supply to prevent further damage.
- Disconnect the machine from the power supply.
- Check if there is water visible under or in front of the machine.
- Check the door seal (rubber ring) for cracks or holes.
- Check the detergent drawer for overflow (too much foam).
Important: E23 is a code that you cannot fix yourself. After turning off the tap and power, a technician must locate and repair the source of the leak. Book a repair with We.repair.
Bosch washing machine E32 or E60 - imbalance (not a real fault)
What does it mean? E32 alternates flashing with "End" on the display. This is not a fault — the machine has interrupted the programme because the laundry is unevenly distributed in the drum. The machine refuses to spin to protect itself and your floor.
Possible causes:
- One heavy item of clothing (towel, jeans) hanging on one side
- Too little laundry in the drum (small load spins poorly)
- Too much laundry (machine cannot shake properly)
What can you do yourself?
- Open the door.
- Manually redistribute the laundry more evenly in the drum: alternate small and large items.
- Add a few extra items for a small load.
- Close the door and start a spin programme.
E32 does not require a technician. If the machine continues to vibrate or stop during spinning, the shock absorbers or bearings may be worn. Then book a repair with We.repair.
Bosch washing machine E21 or F21 - motor fault
What does it mean? The motor has a fault. The machine cannot spin or wash.
Possible causes:
- Temporary electronic fault
- Faulty carbon brushes in the motor (in older models)
- Faulty circuit board
- Motor itself faulty
What can you do yourself?
- Turn the machine off.
- Wait at least 3 minutes.
- Turn the machine back on and start a programme.
Has the error code disappeared? Then it was a temporary fault. Does E21 return? Then a motor part or the circuit board is faulty. Book a repair with We.repair.
Bosch washing machine E11, E12 or E29 - water supply variants
What does it mean? These codes all indicate a problem with the water supply, each with a slightly different cause:
- E11: Water is not supplied in time
- E12: Water pressure too low or irregular
- E29: Flow meter (flow sensor) does not register water flow
What can you do yourself? Follow the same steps as for E17: check the tap, clean the filter in the supply hose, check water pressure.
Specifically for E29: the flow sensor in the Aquastop hose may be blocked or faulty. Clean the filter in the hose connection. Does E29 remain? Then the flow sensor or the solenoid valve is faulty — book a repair with We.repair.
Bosch washing machine E6, E25, E26, E30, E36 or E80 - drainage problems (variants)
What does it mean? These codes are variants of E18 and all indicate a problem with the water drainage. The exact code depends on the model and software version.
- E6 / E25 / E26: Drain pump or drain hose blocked
- E30 / E36: Drain problem combined with level sensor error
- E80: Drain pump detects resistance
What can you do yourself? Follow the same steps as for E18: clean the filter, check the drain hose for kinks and height.
Does the code remain after cleaning the filter? Book a repair with We.repair.
Bosch washing machine E10 — i-DOS error code
What does it mean? E10 refers to a fault in the i-DOS system — the automatic dosing system that equips some Bosch Series 6 and Series 8 models. The machine has automatically disabled this system.
What can you do yourself? You cannot resolve i-DOS issues yourself. However, the machine still works: you can manually dose detergent in the detergent drawer.
Contact We.repair or Bosch for a diagnosis of the i-DOS system.
My Bosch washing machine does not start at all
Possible causes:
- Power: circuit in the meter cupboard tripped or plug loose
- Child lock activated
- Door not properly closed
- Circuit board defect
What can you do yourself?
- Check in the meter cupboard if the power circuit for the washing machine has not tripped.
- Check if the plug is properly inserted into the socket.
- Check if the child lock is activated. For most Bosch models, you deactivate the child lock by pressing the "Temperature down" and "Spin down" buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds. Refer to your manual for your specific model.
- Close the door again with a clear click.
- Pull the plug out, wait 30 seconds and try again.
Is the machine still not starting? Book a repair with We.repair.
How do I reset a Bosch washing machine?
A reset sometimes resolves a temporary electronic fault:
- Turn the programme selection knob to Off or 0.
- Completely pull the plug out of the socket.
- Wait at least 5 minutes.
- Reconnect, select a short programme (rinse or drain) and check if the error code has disappeared.
Does the code return immediately? Then there is a physical defect that needs to be repaired.
We repair all Bosch washing machine series
From the affordable Series 2 to the extensive Series 8 with ActiveWater Plus and i-DOS — We.repair repairs all Bosch washing machines, including models with Wi-Fi connectivity and automatic detergent dosing. Bosch parts are readily available, making repairs almost always possible.
Frequently asked model questions:
- Bosch Series 4 fault? Same fault code system, same approach.
- Bosch Series 6 E18? Clean the filter at the bottom of the machine — see the steps above.
- Bosch Series 8 i-DOS fault? Technician required for the i-DOS system, manual dosing works.
3 tips to prevent error codes on your Bosch washing machine
1. Clean the lint filter every 1 to 3 months The filter at the bottom right of the front of the machine catches coins, buttons, and lint. A clogged filter is the most common cause of E18. Open the flap, catch the water, remove the filter, and clean it under the tap.
2. Run a maintenance programme monthly at 60–90°C Washing at low temperatures builds up grease deposits, soap scum, and bacteria in the drum and hoses. Bosch recommends running an empty programme at least once a month at 60°C — use a machine cleaner product or citric acid for this. This also reduces the chance of E18 and E21.
3. Check the inlet valve biannually Limescale can block the inlet valve over time. Turn it off completely every 6 months and then back on — this breaks loose any limescale residue and avoids E17 messages.
Frequently asked questions about Bosch washing machine faults
What does error code E18 mean on a Bosch washing machine? E18 means that the machine cannot drain properly. Always start by cleaning the lint filter at the bottom right of the front of the machine. Then check the drain hose for kinks and the maximum height (1 metre). If this does not help? Then the drain pump is likely faulty and a technician needs to come.
What does error code E17 mean on a Bosch washing machine? E17 indicates a water supply problem. Check if the tap is fully open and clean the small mesh filter in the inlet hose connection. If the code remains? Then the water inlet valve is faulty.
What does error code E23 mean on a Bosch washing machine? E23 or F23 means that the Aquastop has detected a leak. Immediately turn off the tap and disconnect the machine from the power supply. You cannot fix this fault yourself — a technician must locate and repair the leak.
What does error code E32 mean on a Bosch washing machine? E32 is not a fault. The machine has interrupted the spin cycle because the laundry is unevenly distributed. Open the door, redistribute the laundry more evenly, and start a spin programme.
What does error code E16 mean on a Bosch washing machine? E16 or F16 means that the door is not properly closed. Check for laundry that is caught in the door latch, clean the door lock, and close the door again. If you don't hear a click? Then the door lock is defective.
How do I reset my Bosch washing machine? Turn the knob to Off, unplug it, and wait 5 minutes. Plug it back in and start a short programme. Does the error code return immediately? Then there is a physical defect.
Is it worth having my Bosch washing machine repaired? Almost always. Bosch builds robust machines that last a long time. A repair costing up to €179 is almost always cheaper than a new washing machine — especially for appliances younger than 10 years. Our technician provides honest advice after the diagnosis.
How much does a repair of a Bosch washing machine cost at We.repair? We.repair works with a fixed price: €69 for travel and diagnosis. If a repair is possible, you pay an additional €110 for labour — a maximum of €179 excluding parts. If you decide not to repair after the diagnosis? Then you only pay €69. We provide a 3-month warranty on all repairs.
Which Bosch series does We.repair restore? All series: Series 2, Series 4, Series 6 and Series 8, including models with i-DOS, ActiveWater and SpeedPerfect.