Bosch E36 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 E36 actually means

Your Bosch hasn't managed to pump the water out in the time it allows, so it has stopped the cycle and put the code up.

The machine monitors whether the drum has emptied during the drain phase. If the water level hasn't dropped by the time the drain step should be finished, it flags E36 (shown as E36-10 on newer models, and the equivalent of E18 or E03 on older Bosch machines) and halts, usually leaving you with a drum full of water and clothes that won't spin.

What E36 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, E36 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Machine not draining
Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
Stops mid-cycle full of water
Standing water in the bottom
Overfilling, or won't stop filling
Stops with water still inside
Fills and drains over and over
E36 flashing on the display

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 blockage in the pump filter or drain hose \u2013 coins, hair grips, buttons
The drain hose kinked, or pushed too far into the standpipe
A worn-out drain pump that hums but doesn't shift water
A sock or similar item jammed in the sump hose under the drum
On machines that have sat unused for months, the anti-siphon ball in the sump hose drying out and sticking shut

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 power it back on \u2013 occasionally that clears a one-off reading
Empty and clean the pump filter at the bottom front (have a shallow tray and towels ready \u2013 there will be standing water)
Check the drain hose behind the machine isn't kinked, crushed against the wall or trapped
Make sure the hose end isn't shoved deep into the standpipe or sitting in water in the sink trap
Run a short drain or spin cycle after cleaning the filter to see whether it clears

Common questions about Bosch E36

What does E36 mean on a Bosch washing machine?

Your Bosch hasn't managed to pump the water out in the time it allows, so it has stopped the cycle and put the code up. The machine monitors whether the drum has emptied during the drain phase. If the water level hasn't dropped by the time the drain step should be finished, it flags E36 (shown as E36-10 on newer models, and the equivalent of E18 or E03 on older Bosch machines) and halts, usually leaving you with a drum full of water and clothes that won't spin.

Can I fix Bosch E36 myself?

There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power it back on \u2013 occasionally that clears a one-off reading.
Empty and clean the pump filter at the bottom front (have a shallow tray and towels ready \u2013 there will be standing water).
Check the drain hose behind the machine isn't kinked, crushed against the wall or trapped.
Make sure the hose end isn't shoved deep into the standpipe or sitting in water in the sink trap.
Run a short drain or spin cycle after cleaning the filter to see whether it clears.

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

How much does it cost to repair Bosch E36?

£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 E36?

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 E36 error — washing machine