What F08 actually means
The machine can't confirm the door is properly locked, so it won't start or carry on with the wash.
On Bosch machines this family of codes (F08 sits alongside E01, F16, F34 and E61) points at the door interlock the control board asks the lock to engage and doesn't get the signal back that it has. Because the drum can't be allowed to turn with an unsecured door, the cycle stops there. You'll usually see it right at the start of a programme, or occasionally mid-cycle if the lock drops out under vibration.
What usually causes it
- Worn or failed door interlock by far the most common
- Door not shutting fully onto the catch, so the lock never engages
- Laundry or a stray sock trapped in the door seal holding the door proud
- Sagging door hinge or misaligned catch on older front-loaders
- Wiring or control board fault at the lock circuit (less common)
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.
- Open the door and close it again firmly, making sure nothing is caught in the rubber seal
- Check no laundry is pushed up against the door edge
- Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then switch back on and restart the programme
- Look at whether the door feels loose or drops when open that points at the hinge or catch
When to call someone
This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried the checks above. 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.
Other Bosch washing machine codes
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- Bosch E17 — The machine hasn't taken in enough water in the time it allo…
- Bosch E18 — The machine hasn't managed to pump the water out within the …
- Bosch E29 — The machine hasn't taken in enough water in the time it expe…
- Bosch E30 — The machine has tried to fill with water and not enough has …