Bosch F63 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 F63 actually means

The machine's main control board has failed its own internal self-check and shut the programme down.

On Bosch machines (and the Siemens and Neff versions built on the same platform) F63 is a function-check fault raised by the control electronics themselves rather than by a sensor watching the water or the drum. The board runs a check on its own operation, doesn't get the result it expects, and stops the cycle instead of carrying on. Because the fault sits in the electronics, it can appear at any point in a wash, and the code will often stay stored and keep reappearing until it is cleared.

What F63 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, F63 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

A genuine failure on the main control board (PCB)
A stored code left behind after an earlier fault \u2014 we often see it appear straight after motor carbon brushes have been changed following an F21
A one-off electrical glitch or supply interruption that has latched the code
Damp or corrosion affecting the control electronics

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 socket, leave it for a minute, then switch back on and try a short programme \u2014 a one-off glitch will sometimes clear this way
Try the manual code-clearing routine for your model: with the machine off and the door closed, turn the programme dial to the six o'clock position, wait for the start/pause light to flash, hold the spin button, turn the dial round one position, wait a couple of seconds, release the button and turn the dial back to off. On some models you hold spin and start together. If the code has only been left in memory by a previous repair, this clears it
If the code comes straight back on the next wash, stop there \u2014 there is nothing further you can safely check without opening the machine up

Common questions about Bosch F63

What does F63 mean on a Bosch washing machine?

The machine's main control board has failed its own internal self-check and shut the programme down. On Bosch machines (and the Siemens and Neff versions built on the same platform) F63 is a function-check fault raised by the control electronics themselves rather than by a sensor watching the water or the drum. The board runs a check on its own operation, doesn't get the result it expects, and stops the cycle instead of carrying on. Because the fault sits in the electronics, it can appear at any point in a wash, and the code will often stay stored and keep reappearing until it is cleared.

Can I fix Bosch F63 myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall socket, leave it for a minute, then switch back on and try a short programme \u2014 a one-off glitch will sometimes clear this way.
Try the manual code-clearing routine for your model: with the machine off and the door closed, turn the programme dial to the six o'clock position, wait for the start/pause light to flash, hold the spin button, turn the dial round one position, wait a couple of seconds, release the button and turn the dial back to off. On some models you hold spin and start together. If the code has only been left in memory by a previous repair, this clears it.
If the code comes straight back on the next wash, stop there \u2014 there is nothing further you can safely check without opening the machine up.

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

How much does it cost to repair Bosch F63?

£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 F63?

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 F63 error — washing machine