If you see any error codes on your Bosch washing machine digital display, you may wonder what to do next. The thing not to do is panic. There is likely nothing seriously wrong with washing machines and you can troubleshoot the error code yourself.
Error codes let you know what the issue is with your particular Bosch washing machine and then you can figure out how to troubleshoot it. Some of the error codes will be for issues that you can fix yourself. Others will be more complex and will require a technician. The trick is understanding the error code so you know how to proceed.
In this article, we will cover many of the common common error codes on Bosch washing machines so you don’t call for an expensive service call if you didn’t need to.
How do you read a Bosch washing machine error code?
If you have the latest generation of Bosch washing machines then you will have a digital display that will show the error code. There is no need to have to search for it or do anything special to figure out what it says. There will be a letter F followed by a two-digit number that indicates the specific error that is causing the malfunction.
When you see the code you will be able to determine if the error code is a simple matter that you can fix yourself or if you need to call for a repair.
If you have an older washing machine model that doesn’t have a display with a number error code then if it isn’t working you will need to look out for bosch washing machine error codes flashing lights. We’ll first go over what flashing lights mean when your machine isn’t working.
- The wash is lit – The door not closing or is blocked
- Rinse/Spin is lit – No water or not enough
- Rinse/Spin plus Wash lit – Water not heating
- The door Locked is lit – Water is not draining
- The door is locked plus Rinse/Spin – Machine is overheating
- All lights lit – Faulty NTC circuit
Those that have a new version of a Bosch washing machine will need to read on for the error code and what it means.
Common Bosch washing machine error codes
There are a lot of error codes that you could possibly see but many of them are going to be extremely rare. Most of those that are not likely to come up would only be understandable by a repair technician since they correspond to a very specific fault. Let’s focus on the most common ones that will help you get your Bosch washer working properly again.
Fault code E03 – Door lock error
This error code will show if your door is not closing properly. The washing machine will not start until the door is closed properly and the sensor shows that it is locked. Sometimes a door may become unlocked during the cycle and the machine will stop in the middle of it. This is to prevent flooding or leaks.
It can show the error code when the door hasn’t latched closed all the way in the locking mechanism so be sure to open it and close it firmly to clear the error code and start the wash as normal.
If the error code is still showing then your door locking mechanism has issues. Look to see if there is an obstruction in the door lock assembly itself. A coin could be stuck inside or maybe some lint that is preventing the door from latching. Sometimes the door is latching completely but the sensor isn’t picking it up if the latch is dirty and that trips the error code. You can use some rubbing alcohol to see if this will clean it up and allow the sensor to understand that the door is closed.
Barring all of the above, if the error code continues to stay activated then your door lock assembly is likely at fault. You can fix it yourself if you have the right replacement since you just need to shut off the main power and unscrew it from the machine.
Fault code F01 – Machine isn’t filling with water
There may not be a mechanical or sensor issue that is at fault that is causing the machine to pause during the cycle and show the error code is activated. Water may not be coming into the washing machine because the water inlet valve may be closed. If you had to close it to do some repairs then check it to make sure it isn’t still closed.
You should also check the hoses to see if there is a kink or bent hose that is impeding the water from coming into the washer tub. When there is no issue with the hose then check the water inlet screen where the water enters the tub. It may be dirty and needs to be cleaned to allow water to pass through. There is very rarely a problem that the machine is experiencing that prevents the water from entering besides this screen.
Fault code F02 – Heating component timed out
In most Bosch washing machines, the water enters the machine cold and is heated by a heater element. This can end up burning out and can no longer heat the water as it enters the machine because of a temperature sensor. Before the fault came on you may have been experiencing lower-than-expected temperatures for your laundry.
Another possibility is that the wiring that leads to the heater element is loose or has burnt out. You can check the heating element yourself if you have a multimeter but accessing the circuit could be problematic if you don’t have experience with fixing appliances. Be sure to call a repair technician if you see this error code.
Fault code F05 – Slow draining of water
This is another error code that can usually be fixed in seconds by doing some troubleshooting in most cases. When your water is not draining properly and causes the machine to stop in the middle of the wash cycle it is almost always because of a clogged drain or bent drain hose. Take some time to check the water outlet lines from the drain pump to the pipes.
Check the sump hose that drains water from the washing machine first. It is flexible and can easily get kinked or bent especially if the washing machine has been moved or was off balance and shaking during the spin cycle.
If that is clear then move on to the drain pipes that lead the water out of the house. There is a U-bend section at the bottom of the pipe that is there to collect objects and debris before they pass through. If you remove that then you will find any obstructions that would be causing the water to drain slowly.
If none of these things is the reason for the error code then there may be a faulty drain pump that needs to be replaced.
Fault code F05 – High resistance connections to the motor
Some carbon motor brushes on many Bosch washing machine models cause the motor to spin. Worn carbon brushes mean that there is no longer enough of a connection to spin the motor. You can often see for yourself if the carbon brushes are worn by looking underneath the washing machine inside where the motor is. They are located beside the motor. You may even be able to replace the carbon brushes yourself if you are good at following detailed instructions in a manual.
If you are not confident that you would be able to replace the brushes yourself then calling a qualified engineer is the right move.
Fault code F06 – NTC short circuit
When you have an NTC short circuit fault error code then there is a connection missing to the sensors so the machine has to shut down. To see if this is all working properly you need to have some experience with circuit boards and electrical wiring. Without this type of experience or skill set, you won’t be able to figure out the problem on your own so it’s best to call a technician.
Fault code F07 – A faulty NTC circuit has been detected
At least with this error code, you know what the exact problem with the washing machine is and can then tell the service repairman what they need to know to be able to come and fix the washing machine motor fault quickly.
This error code is letting you know that there is a connection issue with the circuit board and the wiring needs to be checked out.
Fault code F09 – Heating up too quickly
Your water should be heated at a regular increase in temperature since if it heats the heating element too quickly this is a dangerous situation. When you see this fault code the washing machine has shut down because it was at risk of burning out due to heating up too quickly because of a temperature sensor issue. There is likely a faulty thermostat causing the problem. You should be able to change this yourself in most washing machine models.
When you access the thermostat check the wires leading from it to the circuit to see if it is loose or if there is a damaged connection. If it looks fine then replace the thermostat with a new one and clear the error code.
Fault code F10 – Communication error
Since every modern washing machine uses a sophisticated inboard computer, communication between the different components is essential. A communication error code will show up when this is not happening and your washing machine will not be able to work at all. There isn’t much you can do about this problem so it will likely end up in the repair shop with a qualified engineer for a while while they work on it.
Fault code F11 – Heat sink overheated
There are a number of safety features that will shut down the washing machine when a fault is detected. This error code is one of them since it means that the motor control PCB has overheated and could cause a fire or other dangerous situation. The heat sink likely warped the PCB layers when it overheated due to a faulty temperature sensor and will need a lot of work to get it started up again.
Fault codes F13 & F14 – Mains voltage too high or too low
Both of these error codes signal that you are getting far too much voltage for the washing machine to operate safely, or there is not enough to be able to operate at all.
Both of these washing machine error codes need to be dealt with as soon as possible since ignoring them will result in a burnt-out motor. The kind of damage that will happen will probably cost more to fix than it would to buy a new washing machine.
How to clear the error codes on your washing machine
After you’ve done some troubleshooting once you’ve figured out what the error code means on the digital display or the flashing lights then you need to clear the code to get the machine started again. Bosch washing machines require an operation to be able to clear the code since they don’t have a reset button.
- Turn the programme dial to the ÒOffÓ position at 12 o’clock
- Then turn the dial to the 6 o’clock position
- Press and hold the ÒSpinÓ button while turning the programme dial to the 7 o’clock position
- Hold the ÒSpinÓ button for another 5 seconds and then release it
- Turn the dial to the reset position at 12 o’clock or the ÒOffÓ position
Your machine should now be ready to use as long as you have fixed the fault code and the child lock isn’t activated.
Final Word
Hopefully, it wasn’t too much trouble to fix the error code that you were seeing on your washing machine. Many of them can be a relatively easy fix if you are handy at all and others will certainly require a technician to fix. However, it is nice to know what the problem is and the fault codes are quite helpful.
