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 E36-10 actually means

The machine hasn't managed to pump the water out in the time it allows, so it has stopped with a drum full of water.

During the drain part of the cycle the Bosch control board expects the water level to drop within a set time. When it doesn't, it stops everything and shows this code — on older Bosch and Siemens models the same fault appeared as E18 or E03. It's almost always a restriction in the drain path or a failing drain pump rather than anything expensive.

What usually causes it

Blocked pump filter — coins, hair grips, buttons, fluff
Kinked, blocked or badly fitted drain hose
Blockage in the sink standpipe or trap the hose empties into
Drain pump impeller jammed or the pump worn out
Drain hose pushed too far into the waste pipe, causing a siphon or blockage

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 back on, and see if it will run a drain or spin — sometimes it clears a one-off.
Empty and clean the pump filter at the bottom front of the machine (have a shallow tray and towels ready; the water will come out). Rinse out any debris and refit it hand-tight.
Check the drain hose behind the machine isn't kinked, trapped or crushed against the wall.
If the hose empties into a sink trap or standpipe, check that isn't blocked or full of grease.
Run a rinse and spin once you've cleared the filter to see whether the water goes away.

When to call someone

This sometimes clears with the checks above. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire, and it's £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it — £84 in total if it's repaired on the visit with no parts needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

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.

Bosch E36-10 error — washing machine

What E36-10 actually means

What usually causes it

What you can safely check yourself

When to call someone

Other Bosch washing machine codes

Need it looked at properly?