What is actually happening
The machine opens a valve at the back to fill, and watches the pressure system to know when it has enough. No water at all usually means the supply, the valve or a blocked inlet filter. Water that fills and immediately drains away points at the drain hose being fitted too low, siphoning the water straight back out.
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 not filling with water:
- E01 — The machine can't confirm the door is properly locked, so it won't start or fill.
- 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.
- 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.
- E30-10 — The machine hasn't taken in enough water in the time it expects, so it stops rather than carry on with a dry drum.
- E61 — The machine can't confirm the door is shut and locked, so it won't start or fill.
- F16 — The machine doesn't believe the door is properly shut and locked, so it won't start filling.
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
- The inlet tap turned off, or a kinked fill hose
- A blocked filter gauze in the inlet hose connection — it clogs with grit from the mains
- A failed water inlet valve
- A blocked or disconnected pressure chamber hose, so the machine misreads the level
What you can safely check yourself
- Check the tap behind the machine is fully open and the fill hose is not kinked
- Turn the tap off, unscrew the fill hose at the tap end and check the small gauze filter for grit
- Listen at the start of a cycle — a buzz with no water points at the valve
Still not filling with water?
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 not filling with water?
The cycle starts but no water comes in, so nothing happens. The machine opens a valve at the back to fill, and watches the pressure system to know when it has enough. No water at all usually means the supply, the valve or a blocked inlet filter. Water that fills and immediately drains away points at the drain hose being fitted too low, siphoning the water straight back out.
Can I fix a Bosch washing machine not filling with water myself?
Check the tap behind the machine is fully open and the fill hose is not kinked. Turn the tap off, unscrew the fill hose at the tap end and check the small gauze filter for grit. Listen at the start of a cycle — a buzz with no water points at the valve. Those checks fix it more often than not.
What Bosch error codes mean not filling with water?
Bosch washing machines report this through their own fault codes. The ones that point at not filling with water are E01, E16, E17, E29, E30, E30-10. 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 door will not open