Bosch F42 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 F42 actually means

The machine has detected something wrong with the motor or its speed control, and it has stopped the drum rather than carry on.

F42 sits in the group of Bosch faults tied to the drive motor and its control circuit, alongside F21, F43 and F44. The control board watches the motor's speed while the drum turns; when the feedback doesn't match what it asked for, it halts the programme and logs the code. On these Bosch-built machines that most often traces back to the motor's carbon brushes or the control of the motor rather than the drum or bearings.

What F42 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, F42 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
Drum not turning
Won't spin
Hums or buzzes but nothing moves

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

Worn motor carbon brushes (very common on older Bosch machines with a brush-type motor)
Fault in the motor itself or its speed feedback
Control module problem driving the motor
Wiring or connection fault between board and motor
A stored code left behind after an earlier motor fault, which needs clearing

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 programme — this clears a one-off glitch.
Check nothing is jamming the drum: turn it by hand with the door open and feel for anything trapped, such as a coin or wire from a bra.
Make sure the load isn't heavily unbalanced — one soaked bulky item can make the motor labour. Redistribute or remove some of the load and retry.

Common questions about Bosch F42

What does F42 mean on a Bosch washing machine?

The machine has detected something wrong with the motor or its speed control, and it has stopped the drum rather than carry on. F42 sits in the group of Bosch faults tied to the drive motor and its control circuit, alongside F21, F43 and F44. The control board watches the motor's speed while the drum turns; when the feedback doesn't match what it asked for, it halts the programme and logs the code. On these Bosch-built machines that most often traces back to the motor's carbon brushes or the control of the motor rather than the drum or bearings.

Can I fix Bosch F42 myself?

There are 3 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 programme — this clears a one-off glitch.
Check nothing is jamming the drum: turn it by hand with the door open and feel for anything trapped, such as a coin or wire from a bra.
Make sure the load isn't heavily unbalanced — one soaked bulky item can make the motor labour. Redistribute or remove some of the load and retry.

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

How much does it cost to repair Bosch F42?

£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 F42?

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 F42 error — washing machine