What is actually happening
The door interlock is deliberately stubborn: it will not release while the machine believes there is water in the drum, and on most machines it holds for a minute or two after the end of a cycle. A door that never releases is either a machine that still thinks it is full, or an interlock that has failed — often with the handle mechanism broken separately.
The Bosch fault codes that point at this
A Bosch washing machine will usually tell you what it thinks is wrong before anyone opens it up. These are the codes we hold for this make that relate to door will not open:
- E01 — The machine can't confirm the door is properly locked, so it won't start or fill.
- E03 — Your Bosch hasn't managed to pump the water out in the time it expects, so it has stopped with a drum still full.
- E13 — The machine hasn't managed to pump the water away within the time it expects, so it has stopped and flagged a drainage problem.
- E16 — The machine thinks the door isn't shut, so it won't start or carry on with the wash.
- E17 — The machine hasn't taken in enough water in the time it allows, so it has stopped before the wash can start.
- E18 — The machine hasn't managed to pump the water out within the time it allows, so it has stopped with a drum full of water.
- E29 — The machine hasn't taken in enough water in the time it expects, so it has stopped the cycle before washing.
- E30 — The machine has tried to fill with water and not enough has arrived in the time it allows, so it stops at the start of the cycle.
If yours is showing one of those, that is a much shorter conversation than a general fault — tell us the code when you book and the engineer can often carry the part.
The usual causes on a Bosch washing machine
- Water still in the drum from a drain fault, so the lock is doing its job
- A failed door interlock solenoid stuck in the locked position
- A broken door handle or catch mechanism
- A cycle interrupted by a power cut, leaving the machine mid-program
What you can safely check yourself
- Wait a full five minutes after the end of the cycle — many machines hold the lock deliberately
- Run a drain or spin-only cycle: if the drum has water in it the door will not release until it is gone
- Switch off at the wall for ten minutes, then power up — this clears an interrupted program on most machines
Still door will not open?
If the checks above have not sorted it, it needs looking at properly. £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 engineers work on Bosch machines week in, week out, so they arrive knowing the machine rather than reading the back of it. Local engineers across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.
Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need
Common questions
Why is my Bosch washing machine door will not open?
The cycle has finished, or stopped, and the door stays locked shut. The door interlock is deliberately stubborn: it will not release while the machine believes there is water in the drum, and on most machines it holds for a minute or two after the end of a cycle. A door that never releases is either a machine that still thinks it is full, or an interlock that has failed — often with the handle mechanism broken separately.
Can I fix a Bosch washing machine door will not open myself?
Wait a full five minutes after the end of the cycle — many machines hold the lock deliberately. Run a drain or spin-only cycle: if the drum has water in it the door will not release until it is gone. Switch off at the wall for ten minutes, then power up — this clears an interrupted program on most machines. Those checks fix it more often than not.
What Bosch error codes mean door will not open?
Bosch washing machines report this through their own fault codes. The ones that point at door will not open are E01, E03, E13, E16, E17, E18. If your machine is showing one of those, that narrows it down considerably — each has its own guide on this site.
How much does a Bosch washing machine repair cost?
£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.
Other Bosch washing machine faults
- washing machine not draining
- washing machine not spinning
- washing machine leaking water
- washing machine making a loud noise
- washing machine not heating the water
- washing machine will not turn on