Siemens E36-10 washing machine: what it means & what to try

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 E36-10 actually means

The machine tried to pump the water out and didn't manage it in the time allowed, so it has stopped rather than carry on with a drum full of water.

During the drain part of the cycle the control board expects the water level to drop within a set time. When it doesn't, E36-10 is displayed and the cycle halts — usually leaving standing water in the drum and a door that won't release. On older Bosch-group machines the same fault showed as E18 or E03; the code changed, the cause didn't. It's shared across the BSH brands, so Bosch, Neff and Siemens machines all behave the same way here.

What E36-10 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, E36-10 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
Machine not draining
Water left in the drum at the end of the cycle
Stops mid-cycle full of water

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, buttons, hair grips, bra wires and general fluff
Kinked, trapped or badly routed drain hose
Blockage in the sink standpipe or under-sink spigot the hose drains into
Failed or seized drain pump
Faulty pressure sensor telling the board the drum is still full

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 back on — occasionally clears a one-off sensor glitch, though it won't fix a blockage
Open the small flap at the bottom front, put a shallow tray and towels down, and empty and clean the pump filter. Water will come out, so be ready for it
Once the filter is out, check the drain hose behind the machine isn't kinked, squashed against a wall or trapped under a foot
If the hose runs into a sink waste or standpipe, check that isn't blocked — a slow-draining sink is a strong clue
Make sure the hose end isn't pushed too far down the standpipe, which can cause siphoning and drainage problems

Common questions about Siemens E36-10

What does E36-10 mean on a Siemens washing machine?

The machine tried to pump the water out and didn't manage it in the time allowed, so it has stopped rather than carry on with a drum full of water. During the drain part of the cycle the control board expects the water level to drop within a set time. When it doesn't, E36-10 is displayed and the cycle halts — usually leaving standing water in the drum and a door that won't release. On older Bosch-group machines the same fault showed as E18 or E03; the code changed, the cause didn't. It's shared across the BSH brands, so Bosch, Neff and Siemens machines all behave the same way here.

Can I fix Siemens E36-10 myself?

There are 5 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then back on — occasionally clears a one-off sensor glitch, though it won't fix a blockage.
Open the small flap at the bottom front, put a shallow tray and towels down, and empty and clean the pump filter. Water will come out, so be ready for it.
Once the filter is out, check the drain hose behind the machine isn't kinked, squashed against a wall or trapped under a foot.
If the hose runs into a sink waste or standpipe, check that isn't blocked — a slow-draining sink is a strong clue.
Make sure the hose end isn't pushed too far down the standpipe, which can cause siphoning and drainage problems.

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

How much does it cost to repair Siemens E36-10?

£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 E36-10?

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 E36-10 error — washing machine