Why won't my Bosch washing machine turn on and how to fix it?

Even high-quality household appliances, to which the German Bosch washing machine fully applies, sometimes fails and does not turn on. The reasons for such a nuisance can be a variety of problems, which we will consider in this article. Of course, self-repair is possible only in that part of the unit that is available to the owner both in terms of design and his own skills. All you need is technical knowledge and a complete understanding of the principle of operation of the basic devices of the machine.

Finding out the reason for the refusal may not always lead to a positive result. But here you should focus on the "symptoms". For example, there is no electrical network: when you press the on / off button on the control panel of the unit, there is no indication. Or the voltage presence lamp at the input to the device lights up, but no washing program can be turned on.

It happens that some programs do not work or the machine starts to function, but immediately turns off. Sometimes the machine washes normally, but there is no drain. It often happens that when the washing mode is turned on, the machine does not fill with water (or it fills up, but does not heat it up). There are several more signs, by the presence of which you can pre-diagnose the root cause of the problem.

Here are a few common causes of washing machine failures.

1. Lack of electrical energy at the input to the unit due to a faulty supply cable, plug or socket.
2. There is no voltage in the electrical circuit of the washing machine. The reason for this phenomenon may be a violation in the cables of the internal network of the unit.
3. Loose closing of the loading chamber hatch. This also includes a malfunction of the sunroof locking system (UBL).
4. Breakdown in the "on / off" button of the unit.
5. Malfunction of individual electrical or electronic elements in the power supply circuit and ensuring the normal operation of the washing machine. For example, quite often in these machines the noise filter (FPS) burns out, there are malfunctions in the commander, damage to the electronic board.
6. Incorrect operation of the water heating system. In this case, the machine functions normally in all its capabilities, but the laundry is washed in cold water, which, of course, is ineffective.
7. There is no water pumping function. The most common reason for this is a malfunction of the drain pump.
8. Poor firmware of the unit control module. Especially such a malfunction is observed in Bosch machines assembled in the Russian or Polish branches of the company. The result is that the washing machine often turns off with a series of error codes displayed on the display, which change each time.

This group includes technical and electrical malfunctions, leading to the fact that the washing machine either does not work at all, or does not start a number of functions. Let's list the main ones, many of which can be eliminated even without calling the wizard:

1. violation of the integrity of the supply cable to the outlet of the external electrical network;
2. damage to the unit cable;
3. outlet malfunction;
4. fork breakage;
5. lack of voltage in the home network;
6. deformation of the sealing gum of the loading chamber hatch (because of this, the hatch does not close tightly);
7. breakage of the hatch lock;
8. deformation or breakage of the guide parts of the hatch;
9. skewed hatch hinges;
10. foreign object in the hatch opening;
11. malfunction of the hatch handle;
12. failure of the mains filter;
13. poor contact in the wires (or their falling out of the connectors of the connecting elements);
14. clogged drain pipe from the loading and washing chamber;
15. clogging of the filter on the dirty water drain;
16. failure of the pumping pump.

If the washing machine does not turn on, then a preliminary diagnosis of the problem can be carried out. Perhaps the reason will turn out to be trivial and, having eliminated it, you can start the intended wash.

If, when connected to an electrical outlet and turned on with a button, the voltage presence indicator on the control panel of the washing machine does not light up, then first of all you need to check if there is any voltage in the home network at all. Next, you should make sure that the socket, plug and electrical cable of the unit are in good working order. You can try to turn on the machine from a different outlet.

A tester is required when the power cable rings. In the absence of it and if you have the skills to dismantle and install power cords, there is a way out - to replace the power cable with any other. We just need to make sure that the problem is not in the power cord (or in it), so it does not matter what power the test cable is designed for. No high current is required for the indicator lamp to glow. Remember to unplug the power cord before replacing the power cord!

The hatch does not close tightly in the following cases:

1. insufficient elasticity of the sealing gum;
2. malfunction of the locking mechanism;
3. misalignment or breakage of the hinges;
4. deformation and breakage of guide parts;
5. malfunction of the handle;
6. lock failure;
7. hit of a foreign object.

Having eliminated the named reasons that prohibit the further operation of the washing unit, it will be possible to continue its operation. Rubber and hatch hinges will have to be bought new, worn out or broken parts in the lock, handle and guide mechanism to be replaced with serviceable ones. To put the locking system in order, you will need to call the wizard. A foreign object trapped in the hatch opening must be removed and removed.

In more complex cases, when it is impossible to independently diagnose the cause of the machine failure, as well as to eliminate the cause of the failure, it is necessary to work inside the mechanism or the electronic system of the unit. The most correct solution would be to contact a Bosch washing machine repair service center. This applies to both old and new models. And if your household "assistant" is under warranty, then any problems must be solved only by masters. Otherwise, you risk losing free warranty repairs.

How to reset an error in a Bosch washing machine, see below.