Washing machine shows E18 in display

3 checks to get your washing machine running again.

The E18 code that appears in the Bosch washing machine display means that there is no drainage of water. And maybe you also notice that there is water in the tank. Don’t worry this problem is solvable in many cases on your own. Reasons might be a blocked pump or kinked drain hose.

For various Bosch washing machines models, the error might be shown in different codes. F18 and d02 faults are identical ones.

Check and clean your pump
Check the drainage whether it is kinked or blocked by foreign objects
Call a service professional for help

1. Start by draining the water away and checking the pump

If such an error occurs, the first thing a user should do is to turn off the water supply so that no more water can flow in. Next, turn off the washing machine with the button, and then pull out the main plug.

To find the cause and to check the pump you must drain the water away from the tank.

Watch the video with the explanations about:

Step 1: Emergency draining - How to drain the water away
Step 2: How to check the pump

Step-by-step tutorial – How to drain the water away

Person opening and removing the service flap of a Bosch washing machine

The washing water will get very hot when washing at high temperatures.

You may be scalded if you touch the hot washing water.

Allow the washing water to cool down.

Open and remove the service flap.

Person removing the sealing cap from a drain hose

Take the drain hose out of the holder.

Remove the sealing cap and drain the water into a suitable container.

Put the sealing cap back on and press down firmly.

Warning: Water might be hot.

Person holding a drain hose of a Bosch washing machine with water draining off into a bowl

Drain off all water using the drainage hose.

Step-by-step tutorial – How to check the pump

Person unscrewing the pump cover of a Bosch washing machine

Carefully unscrew the pump cover.

Be aware that any remaining water may leak out.

Person taking out the pump cover from a washing machine

Take out the pump cover

Person cleaning parts of a Bosch washing machine

Clean the interior of residues.

Clean the inside, the pump cover thread and the pump housing.

Person checking the rotation of an impeller of a washing machine drain pump.

The impeller in the drain pump must be able to rotate.

Person putting a pump cover back on a Bosch washing machine

Put the pump cover back on and screw back firmly.

The grip must be vertical.

Person closing the service flap of a washing machine

Close the service flap.

How to check the pump?

Note: To prevent unused detergent from flowing straight into the drain during the next wash: Pour 1 litre of water into compartment II and check the pump for leakage and the power of the pump, pour 1 litre of water into the detergent drawer.

Start the drain/empty programme.

Check for any leakage.

2. Check if the drainage is kinked or blocked by foreign objects

An E18 error can also be caused by a blocked or kinked drain hose.

First, look to see if the drain hose is bent or kinked, which may be blocking the water flow. If that is the case, simply straightening the hose may fix the problem. If the hose looks uncompromising, then disconnect it from the drain, unscrewing a clamp if necessary.

Follow the instructions in the video to check the drain hose.

3. Is the washing machine still showing E:18 in the display and is not draining the water?

After carrying out one or all of these actions, your washing machine should once again be correctly pumping and draining the water. If your washing machine is still not pumping out the water, it could be due to a defective pump.