Bosch E03 washing machine: what it means & what to check

Stop using it for now. Carrying on with this fault risks further damage or a leak. Switch it off at the wall until it has been looked at.

What E03 actually means

Your Bosch hasn't managed to pump the water out in the time it expects, so it has stopped with a drum still full.

E03 is the drain fault on older Bosch machines (the newer equivalents are E18 and E36-10). The machine runs the drain pump, watches the water level, and if the drum hasn't emptied within its allotted time it halts the cycle rather than carry on and try to spin a full drum. You'll usually find standing water in the drum and a door that won't release.

What E03 looks like on a Bosch washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Bosch washing machine, E03 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Machine door won't open
Door won't lock or click shut
Door lock light flashing
Door stuck shut with the load inside
Won't start even with the door closed
Machine not draining
Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
Stops mid-cycle full of water

Recognise any of those? That is this fault, and the rest of this page explains what causes it and what you can check yourself.

What usually causes it

A blocked pump filter \u2014 coins, buttons, hair grips, bits of underwiring
The drain hose kinked, squashed behind the machine or pushed too far into the standpipe
A blocked sink trap or standpipe where the hose discharges
Debris jamming the drain pump impeller so it can't turn
A failed drain pump motor

What you can safely check yourself

Work through these in order. Anything beyond this — panels off, testing parts, anything to do with the wiring — is an engineer's job, and not one to attempt with the machine plugged in.

Turn the programme dial to off to stop the beeping, then switch off at the wall for a minute.
Clean the pump filter at the bottom front of the machine \u2014 have a tray and towels ready, there will be water behind it. Check what comes out; a coin or clip is often the whole fault.
Pull the machine out and check the drain hose isn't kinked, trapped or crushed.
If the hose empties into a sink trap or standpipe, check that isn't blocked with grease or lint.
Run a rinse and spin to see if it clears the water now.

Common questions about Bosch E03

What does E03 mean on a Bosch washing machine?

Your Bosch hasn't managed to pump the water out in the time it expects, so it has stopped with a drum still full. E03 is the drain fault on older Bosch machines (the newer equivalents are E18 and E36-10). The machine runs the drain pump, watches the water level, and if the drum hasn't emptied within its allotted time it halts the cycle rather than carry on and try to spin a full drum. You'll usually find standing water in the drum and a door that won't release.

Can I fix Bosch E03 myself?

There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the programme dial to off to stop the beeping, then switch off at the wall for a minute.
Clean the pump filter at the bottom front of the machine \u2014 have a tray and towels ready, there will be water behind it. Check what comes out; a coin or clip is often the whole fault.
Pull the machine out and check the drain hose isn't kinked, trapped or crushed.
If the hose empties into a sink trap or standpipe, check that isn't blocked with grease or lint.
Run a rinse and spin to see if it clears the water now.

This sometimes clears with those checks. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly.

How much does it cost to repair Bosch E03?

£66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Tried the checks and it's still showing E03?

This sometimes clears with the checks above. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly. Then it wants someone who can open it up.

What it costs, before you call: the price is the same whatever the fault turns out to be — £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Our own engineers, not a call centre. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire — most washing machine faults are seen same day or next day.

Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need

Outside our area? The explanation above still stands — take it to a local engineer and tell them the code. Knowing it saves them time and you money.

Other Bosch washing machine codes

All Bosch fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

Repairs we cover near you

Written by the engineers at ASAP Repairs, 0115 648 0929. We repair these machines for a living in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

Bosch E03 error — washing machine