When a Bosch washing machine shows an error code, it’s telling you exactly which part of the machine has a problem. Some codes you can clear yourself in five minutes. Others mean a part has failed. This guide covers the codes we see most often on Bosch machines in Bangalore homes.
E or F? Older Bosch models show F codes (F18) and newer ones show E codes (E18 or E:18). The number is what matters: E18 and F18 are the same fault.
Common Bosch error codes
| Code | Meaning | What you can check | When to call us |
|---|---|---|---|
| E17 / F17 / tap symbol | Water not coming in fast enough | Tap fully open? Inlet hose kinked? Clean the mesh filter where the hose meets the machine. Check water pressure in the house. | Still showing with good pressure: likely the inlet valve |
| E18 / F18 | Water not draining in time | Clean the pump filter (behind the small flap at the bottom front). Check the drain hose isn’t kinked, blocked or pushed too far into the drain. | Filter clean but still not draining: drain pump fault |
| E19 / F19 | Water not heating up in time | Try a cold wash to confirm the rest of the machine works. | Heating element or temperature sensor: needs a technician |
| E21 / F21 | Drum not turning: motor fault or drum blocked | Remove some clothes if overloaded. With the machine unplugged, check the drum turns freely by hand. | Drum turns freely but code returns: motor, brushes or control board |
| E23 / F23 | AquaStop leak protection triggered | Switch off and close the tap. Look for water under the machine. | Always: a leak inside needs to be found and fixed |
| F16 / door symbol | Door not closed properly | Close the door firmly. Check no clothes are caught in the seal. | Door shut but code persists: door lock fault |
| E57 | Motor drive fault (on newer EcoSilence inverter models) | Switch off at the wall for a few minutes, then restart. | Returns after restart: motor or drive electronics |
Codes can vary slightly between models. If your code isn’t listed, or the meaning doesn’t match what the machine is doing, note the code and your model number before calling. The model number (E-Nr) is on the label around the door opening.
E18: Bosch not draining
This is the most common Bosch code we see. In most cases the pump filter is blocked by a coin, hair clip, button or lint.
- Switch off and unplug the machine, and let hot water cool first.
- Open the small flap at the bottom front. Put a towel and a shallow tray down, since water will come out.
- If there’s a small emergency drain hose, pull it out and drain the water into the tray first.
- Unscrew the filter slowly, anticlockwise. Clean it and check the opening behind it.
- Refit the filter firmly, then check the drain hose at the back isn’t kinked or blocked.
If the filter is clean and E18 comes back, the drain pump itself has probably failed. That’s a straightforward repair. See our guide to washing machines not draining for more.
E17: Bosch not filling with water
In Bangalore this is often a water supply problem rather than a machine fault, especially with low overhead-tank pressure or borewell water that clogs the inlet filter. Check the tap is fully open, and clean the small mesh filter where the inlet hose screws into the machine. If water pressure is fine and the filter is clean, the inlet valve may need replacing. More in our not filling with water guide.
E21: Bosch drum not turning
First rule out the simple causes: an overloaded drum, or a small item jammed between the drum and the tub. Unplug the machine and turn the drum by hand. If it’s stiff or grinding, something may be caught, or the bearings may be worn. If it turns freely and E21 keeps returning, the fault is usually in the motor or the control board. That needs a technician.
E23: AquaStop leak protection
Bosch machines have a float switch in the base that stops the machine when it detects water. Don’t keep resetting it. Close the tap, unplug the machine and find the source of the leak, which is often the door seal, a hose inside the machine or the pump. See our leaking washing machine guide.
Send us the code and your model on WhatsApp and we’ll tell you what it likely means before we visit. Doorstep Bosch washing machine repair across Bangalore, Monday to Saturday.
Before you call: try a reset
A one-off code can be a glitch. Switch the machine off, unplug it for about 5 minutes, plug it back in and start a short programme. If the same code returns, there’s a real fault, and repeatedly resetting won’t fix it.
Is your Bosch still under warranty?
If so, contact Bosch through the number on your warranty card or the official Bosch India website first, since a covered repair costs you nothing. We’re an independent repair service, not an authorised Bosch service centre. For out-of-warranty machines we offer same-day doorstep repair with a 90-day warranty on parts and labour.
Siemens owners
Siemens and Bosch machines are built by the same group (BSH), and most Siemens front-loaders use the same codes. This guide applies to most Siemens models too. See our Siemens washing machine repair page.
For other brands, see our error codes guide for Samsung, LG, IFB and more.