Bosch E13 washer dryer: 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 E13 actually means

The machine hasn't managed to pump the water out within the time it expects, so it has stopped and flagged a draining fault.

During the drain part of the cycle the control board watches how long the pump takes to clear the water out of the drum. If the water level hasn't dropped in the time allowed, it stops the programme and shows E13. On the WKD28350GB the door will normally stay locked while water remains in the drum, which is why owners often end up using the emergency release to get it open.

What E13 looks like on a Bosch washer dryer

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Bosch washer dryer, E13 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

Blocked pump filter — coins, hair grips, fluff or a build-up of scum
Kinked, trapped or badly routed drain hose
Blockage in the household waste pipe or standpipe rather than the machine
Drain pump itself worn or jammed by debris
Fault code left stored in the control board memory after the real blockage has been cleared

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 machine off at the wall for a minute, then switch back on and try a drain or spin programme — that clears a one-off glitch.
Clear the pump filter behind the flap at the bottom front. Have a shallow tray and towels ready, as water will come out. Rinse the filter, check the housing for coins or buttons and refit it firmly.
Pull the machine out gently and check the drain hose isn't kinked, squashed against a wall or pushed too far down the standpipe.
If you have a sink trap or standpipe the hose feeds into, check that isn't blocked or slow to drain — pour a jug of water down it and watch.
Run a short cycle after clearing the filter to see whether the code returns.

Which Bosch models show E13

E13 means the same thing on this model. If yours is not listed, the explanation above still applies — the code is set by the control board, not the model number.

WKD28350GB

Common questions about Bosch E13

What does E13 mean on a Bosch washer dryer?

The machine hasn't managed to pump the water out within the time it expects, so it has stopped and flagged a draining fault. During the drain part of the cycle the control board watches how long the pump takes to clear the water out of the drum. If the water level hasn't dropped in the time allowed, it stops the programme and shows E13. On the WKD28350GB the door will normally stay locked while water remains in the drum, which is why owners often end up using the emergency release to get it open.

Can I fix Bosch E13 myself?

There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then switch back on and try a drain or spin programme — that clears a one-off glitch.
Clear the pump filter behind the flap at the bottom front. Have a shallow tray and towels ready, as water will come out. Rinse the filter, check the housing for coins or buttons and refit it firmly.
Pull the machine out gently and check the drain hose isn't kinked, squashed against a wall or pushed too far down the standpipe.
If you have a sink trap or standpipe the hose feeds into, check that isn't blocked or slow to drain — pour a jug of water down it and watch.
Run a short cycle after clearing the filter to see whether the code returns.

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

How much does it cost to repair Bosch E13?

£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 E13?

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 washer dryer 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 washer dryer codes

All Bosch fault codes and repairs →

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

Bosch E13 error — washer dryer