Bosch E43 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 E43 actually means

The machine has told the motor to turn the drum and the drum hasn't moved, so it has stopped rather than keep forcing it.

On newer Bosch control boards this appears as E60-21; on older models it's shown as E43. The control module drives the motor, gets no rotation back, and shuts the cycle down to protect the motor and board. You'll usually notice it early in the wash when the drum should start tumbling, or at the point it tries to build up to spin.

What E43 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, E43 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

Laundry jammed between the drum and the outer tub, often a bra wire, sock or underwired item
Something solid trapped so the drum won't turn freely by hand
Worn drum bearings making the drum stiff or noisy
Failed motor or worn motor carbon brushes on brush-type models
Faulty control and power module driving the 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 machine off at the wall for a minute, then switch back on and try a short cycle
Once the door releases, take all the washing out and turn the empty drum round by hand — it should spin freely and quietly, not grind or catch
Feel round the inside of the drum lip for a trapped wire, coin or button you can lift out with your fingers
Check you haven't overloaded it; run the same programme with a small load and see if it starts

Which Bosch models show E43

E43 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.

WAT28421GB/01

Common questions about Bosch E43

What does E43 mean on a Bosch washing machine?

The machine has told the motor to turn the drum and the drum hasn't moved, so it has stopped rather than keep forcing it. On newer Bosch control boards this appears as E60-21; on older models it's shown as E43. The control module drives the motor, gets no rotation back, and shuts the cycle down to protect the motor and board. You'll usually notice it early in the wash when the drum should start tumbling, or at the point it tries to build up to spin.

Can I fix Bosch E43 myself?

There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then switch back on and try a short cycle.
Once the door releases, take all the washing out and turn the empty drum round by hand — it should spin freely and quietly, not grind or catch.
Feel round the inside of the drum lip for a trapped wire, coin or button you can lift out with your fingers.
Check you haven't overloaded it; run the same programme with a small load and see if it starts.

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.

How much does it cost to repair Bosch E43?

£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 E43?

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried the checks above. 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 E43 error — washing machine