What to check, in order
- Switch off and unplug
Then open the service flap at the bottom front.
- Drain the water out
If it stopped during a hot wash, let the water cool first. Then let it run into a flat container: there can be a lot of it.
- Clean the pump
Unscrew the pump cover and clear out the debris. The impeller behind it should turn freely. Screw the cover back on firmly.
- Test for leaks
Pour about 1 litre of water into the detergent drawer, check the pump cover doesn't leak, then run the drain programme.
- Check the drain hose
No kinks. Clean the hose and the siphon connector. Bosch's maximum drain height is 1 metre (39 in).
When to call an engineer
If it keeps happening, the pump may be defective.
Good to know
- Bosch's own E18 pages mention the cold water inlet hose, but E18 is a drainage fault and the steps they give are about draining.
Parts people end up buying
Only if the checks above point to a part. Match it to your model number first: it's on a label inside the door, around the door frame or on the back.
- Drain pumpSearch on Amazon
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Quick answers
What does the Bosch E18 error code mean?
Water isn't draining because the pump, its filter or the drain hose is blocked or kinked. Older models show F18, and Neff calls it 'pump time exceeded'.
Can I fix Bosch E18 myself?
Easy (about 30 minutes). Start with: switch off and unplug; drain the water out; clean the pump. If it keeps happening, the pump may be defective.
Is Bosch E18 worth repairing?
Usually free. Usually a blockage, which costs nothing to clear.
Checked against
Last reviewed October 2026. Manufacturers update their pages, and your manual is the final word. Spotted a mistake? Email contact@appliance-error-codes.com.