Siemens E18 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 E18 actually means

The machine couldn't pump the water out in the time it expects, so it has stopped with the drum still holding water.

On older Siemens washers, E18 is the drain fault — the control board gives the pump a set window to empty the drum, and when the water level hasn't dropped by the end of it, the cycle halts. On newer BSH-built machines the same fault appears as E36-10, so you may see it described that way in other guides. You'll usually notice it near the end of the wash or at the start of the spin, with water sitting in the drum and the clothes soaked.

What E18 looks like on a Siemens washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Siemens washing machine, E18 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Machine not draining
Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
Stops mid-cycle full of water
Standing water in the bottom
Overfilling, or won't stop filling
Stops with water still inside
Fills and drains over and over
No function at all

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 blocked pump filter — coins, hair grips, buttons, fluff
Drain hose kinked, trapped behind the machine or pushed too far down the standpipe
A blockage in the sink trap or standpipe the hose empties into
A worn or jammed drain pump that no longer shifts the water
Debris caught in the pump impeller behind the filter

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 programme dial to off to stop the alarm, then switch off at the wall for a minute before restarting
Clear the pump filter behind the flap at the bottom front — have a shallow tray and towels ready, it will hold a fair amount of water
Pull the machine forward a little and check the drain hose isn't kinked, squashed or crushed against the wall
If the hose empties into a sink trap, check that isn't blocked or full of grease
Run a short rinse and spin to see whether it drains normally once the filter is clear

Common questions about Siemens E18

What does E18 mean on a Siemens washing machine?

The machine couldn't pump the water out in the time it expects, so it has stopped with the drum still holding water. On older Siemens washers, E18 is the drain fault — the control board gives the pump a set window to empty the drum, and when the water level hasn't dropped by the end of it, the cycle halts. On newer BSH-built machines the same fault appears as E36-10, so you may see it described that way in other guides. You'll usually notice it near the end of the wash or at the start of the spin, with water sitting in the drum and the clothes soaked.

Can I fix Siemens E18 myself?

There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the programme dial to off to stop the alarm, then switch off at the wall for a minute before restarting.
Clear the pump filter behind the flap at the bottom front — have a shallow tray and towels ready, it will hold a fair amount of water.
Pull the machine forward a little and check the drain hose isn't kinked, squashed or crushed against the wall.
If the hose empties into a sink trap, check that isn't blocked or full of grease.
Run a short rinse and spin to see whether it drains normally once the filter is clear.

This sometimes clears with those checks. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly.

How much does it cost to repair Siemens E18?

£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 E18?

This sometimes clears with the checks above. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly. 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 Siemens washing machine codes

All Siemens 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.

Siemens E18 error — washing machine