What F16 actually means
The machine doesn't believe the door is properly shut and locked, so it won't start filling.
Before any Bosch washer takes water it has to confirm the door interlock has latched. F16 appears when that confirmation never arrives — either the door genuinely isn't caught, or the interlock itself has failed to report closed. The cycle stops at the very beginning, usually with no water having gone in.
What usually causes it
- Door not pushed firmly enough to click shut
- Laundry trapped in the door seal stopping it closing fully
- Worn or broken door catch or hook on the door itself
- Failed door interlock (the electrical lock behind the front panel) — the most common cause once the door plainly shuts
- Damaged wiring to the interlock
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, redistribute the load and check nothing is caught in the seal, then close it with a firm push until you hear it click
- Look at the catch on the door and the hole it goes into for anything obviously broken or bent
- Switch off at the wall for a minute, then power up and try a short cycle again
- Try a different programme — if it fails on all of them the lock is the suspect
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
- Bosch E01 — The machine can't confirm the door is properly locked, so it…
- Bosch E03 — Your Bosch hasn't managed to pump the water out in the time …
- Bosch E13 — The machine hasn't managed to pump the water away within the…
- Bosch E16 — The machine thinks the door isn't shut, so it won't start or…
- 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 …