Bosch washing machine error E18: what does it mean and how to fix it?

Washing machines of the Bosch brand are in great demand from the consumer. They are of high quality, reliable, have a lot of advantages, among which the most important is the display of errors in the system on an electronic scoreboard. Each malfunction in the system is assigned an individual code. However, it is not always necessary to call a wizard to eliminate breakdowns. For example, you can deal with the E18 error yourself.

Any Bosch washing machine comes with an individual instruction, which describes the operation process, precautions, possible breakdowns and how to fix them, point by point. For each individual breakdown and malfunction of the system, a special short code has been developed, consisting of an alphabetic and a numerical value.

For owners of Bosch washing machines, a detailed table of malfunctions has even been developed, with an indication of the error code and a detailed explanation of the process of its elimination. Under the code E18, the drainage problem is hidden, which means partial or complete stagnation of waste water. In principle, even without knowledge of decoding errors, the owner, having looked inside the washing machine, will immediately understand the cause of the problem.

In Bosch washing machines that do not have an electronic display, the owner is notified of a problem in the system by turning on the temperature, spin and speed indicators. Thus, the E18 error is displayed by the rpm and spin indicators at 1000 and 600. Different manufacturers and models of washing machines have individual error codes in the system. They may have distinctive numbers and letters, but the essence of the malfunction will not change from this.

The Bosch washing machine works conscientiously. And yet, sometimes it gives an error E18 - the inability to drain the waste water. There are enough reasons for this problem.

• The water drain hose is blocked. It may be incorrectly installed or clogged.

• Clogged drain filter. Garbage from pockets of clothes clogs him. After all, the owners of washing machines do not always carefully check the pockets of their shirts and trousers. Few people shake off animal hair from pillowcases and duvet covers. And if small children live in the house, they probably send their toys into the drum, which break during the washing process, and small parts are sent straight to the drain filter.

• Incorrect pump operation. This part of the washing machine is responsible for pumping out the waste water. Foreign objects trapped in the pump interfere with the rotation of the impeller.

• Clogged water drain. The accumulated specks, grains of sand and hairs in one large mug do not allow water to escape through the drain pipe.

• Breakdown of the pressure switch. This happens extremely rarely, but the described sensor may fail, which is why the washing machine system generates an E18 error.

• Electronic module defective. Failure of the washing machine software or breakdown of one of the elements of the electronic board.

In principle, it is not difficult to eliminate the causes of the error of the Bosch washing machine. Especially when it comes to removing blockages. But to correct the operation of the electronic module, it is best to call the wizard. It is better to pay a professional once than to end up buying a new washing machine.

If the E18 error occurs, the first thing to check is the correct connection of the drain hose. Experienced craftsmen without instructions and tips know how to properly fix the water drain hose. But craftsmen who do not know the intricacies of connection can make a mistake. The main thing is to correctly position the flexible drain.

If suddenly the reason for the malfunction of the washing machine is the incorrect installation of the drain pipe, you will have to dismantle it and reconnect it. The main thing is to remember, when installing to the sewer, the hose should have a slight bend. Under no circumstances should the drain be secured while it is under tension. If the length of the drain hose is short, it can be extended. However, its increased size will put more stress on the pump. The optimum height for connecting the drain hose is 40-60 cm relative to the feet of the washing machine.

The most common cause of an E18 error is a blockage. Especially if pets and small children live in the house. Wool constantly flies from cats and dogs, and children, through ignorance and misunderstanding, send a variety of objects into the drum of the washing machine. And in order to get rid of the accumulated tangles, you will have to carry out a step-by-step cleaning of the system.

It is not recommended to immediately rush to the tools to disassemble the body of the washing machine. You can check the status inside the device in other ways. For example, through the hole in the filter for collecting debris. If the debris filter is clean, you should start checking the water drain hose. It is possible that the accumulated debris lodged in this particular part of the washing machine.

For the next stage of the check, you will have to disconnect the "washing machine" from the power supply, pull it out into the open space, dismantle the pull-out compartment for the powder, and then lower the washing machine on the left side. Free access to the bottom will allow you to check the cleanliness of the pump and the water drain pipe. Surely this is where the debris took refuge.

If the blockage could not be found, then the cause of the E18 error lies even deeper. To do this, you will need to check the operation of the pump and pressure switch. Moreover, the washing machine is already on its left side. To see the condition of the waste water drain pump, it is necessary to remove it from the structure of the washing machine. To do this, the clamps of the connection with the branch pipe are pulled off, then the screws that connect the pump with the debris filter are unscrewed. It remains only to disconnect the wires and remove the pump from the device case.

Next, the pump is checked for performance. To do this, the part must be untwisted, carefully examine all its insides, especially in the area of ​​the impeller. If the impeller is not damaged, there are no hairs, pieces of dirt and wool wrapped around it, then the cause of the E18 error lies in the electronics. To check the electronic system, you will need a multimeter, with which the pump power contacts are ringed. Then the drain pump is tested in a similar way.

But if even after such manipulations the E18 error does not disappear, you will have to check the water level sensor, which is located under the lid of the washing machine.

Better to call a specialist. He will need equipment, so that he can determine the cause of the breakdown in a matter of minutes. Of course, you can do the work of the master yourself, only there is no guarantee that you will not have to buy a new washing machine.

In order to prevent damage to the washing machine, each owner must remember a few simple, but very important rules.

• Check your laundry thoroughly before washing. It is worth looking into every pocket, shaking every shirt and towel.
• Before sending dirty laundry to the washing machine, check the drum for foreign objects.
• Every month it is necessary to check the washing machine system, inspect the filters.In any case, the blockages will accumulate gradually, and monthly cleaning will avoid big problems.
• Use water softeners to wash dirty laundry. They do not affect the quality of the fabric, on the contrary, they soften its fibers. But the main thing is that soft water treats the details and spare parts of the washing machine with care.

With such care and attention, any washing machine will serve its owner for more than a dozen years.

Elimination of the E18 error on the Bosch Max 5 washing machine in the video below.