Warning: To avoid risk of electric shock, always disconnect the appliance from the power outlet before cleaning. Never clean the washer with a pressure washer.

To clean the washer’s exterior: Use hot, soapy water or a mild, non-abrasive cleaning agent with a soft cloth. Rinse and then dry with a soft cloth.

To clean the washer’s control panel: Use a damp, soft cloth.

To clean the washer’s drum: Use a mild, non-abrasive, chlorine-free cleaning agent. Rinse and then dry with a soft cloth. Do not use steel wool or any other abrasive cleaning agents.

To clean the door gasket: After your washer has washed a load, allow the interior of the machine to air out by leaving the door partially open. This will allow air to circulate and help dry out any remaining moisture in the drum or on the gasket. Wipe the gasket with a soft cloth to remove residual water or any detergent. The existence of any residual detergent can be a sign that too much detergent is being used. 

To clean the detergent dispenser: Remove the dispenser from the washer according to the instructions in the Use & Care Guide. Place the dispenser under warm, running water and lightly wipe away any remaining detergent residue. Reinsert the dispenser according to the instructions in the Use & Care Guide.

To clean the water inlet strainers: This is necessary if very little or no water flows into the washing machine. In areas that utilize hard water, cleaning is recommended every 6 months to reduce valve blockages. Follow these directions:

• Disconnect the hose from the water faucet.
• Rinse the strainer under running water.
• Reconnect the hose and strainer.
• Do the above for both hot and cold water faucets.

To descale your washer: It is not necessary to descale your washer if you use the correct type of detergent. If white spots, lime or mineral deposits appear on the interior of the washer, you can use a descaling agent to remove them. Please follow the instructions provided by the descaling manufacturer. Warning: Descaling agents contain acids, which may attack parts of the washing machine and discolor the laundry.

Regular/weekly hot water cycles and/or sanitary cycles will prevent detergent and soil from building up within the washer, thus reducing the possibility of odor caused by detergent and soil build up.

Leaving the washer door open between washes allows the washer to dry out.

Some water conditions (sulfur, hard water, etc) may cause odors. Check with your local water supply officials regarding the content of the water.

Drain hose may be pushed too far into the drain pipe. Drain hose should be placed no more than 6” into the drain pipe. It should also be secured so that the hose does not come loose. Do not seal the drain hose to the drain pipe so that it is completely covered. This prevents sewer gases from backing up into the washer.

Your power cord may not be plugged in. Check it and plug in the power cord if necessary.

You may be experiencing a power outage.

Power may not be flowing to the socket. Check whether the socket works by plugging in another small appliance (e.g. a hair dryer). If the socket does not work, consult an electrician.

The fuse may have blown or the circuit breaker may be tripped. Replace the fuse or reset the circuit breaker.

The door may not be closed completely. Check to see if there is something blocking the door. When you close the door there should be an audible clicking sound.

The “Start” button may not have been pressed. Press the “Start” button.

Water tap may be closed. Check to make sure it is open. The water tap is where the water lines are connected from the house to the washer.

“Rinse Hold” may have been selected. Select "Drain" or "Spin".

The safety function may have been activated. Wait around two minutes and the safety function will switch off automatically. The safety function is activated when the water temperature inside the washing drum is around 150°F. It will keep the washer door locked until it is safe to open the washer door.

The childproof lock may have been activated. Select models have this functionality. To deactivate the childproof lock, press Menu until “Child Lock” is shown on the LCD display panel. Press Select to choose “On” or “Off”. Choose “Off” to deactivate the childproof lock.

Damp or clumped-up detergent can leave a residue in the detergent drawer. Clean and dry the detergent drawer according to the instructions listed below:

• Remove the dispenser from the washer according to the instructions in the Use & Care Guide. Place the dispenser under warm, running water and lightly wipe away any remaining detergent residue. Reinsert the dispenser according to the instructions in the Use & Care Guide.

An excessive amount of detergent may have been used. Follow the detergent manufacturer’s instructions with regards to the amount of detergent to use.

The siphon may not be clean. Check to make sure it is not clogged up with detergent. Follow these directions to clean the siphon: 

1. Remove liquid detergent dispenser from the detergent compartment.
2. Remove siphon (grey piece) by pulling it apart from the detergent dispenser.
3. Wash both the siphon and the detergent dispenser with warm water to remove the residue and detergent that was clogging the siphon.

Too much detergent may have been used. Add approximately three tablespoons of fabric softener onto the foam/suds that are coming out of the detergent drawer. Then add 4 ¼ cups of water to ensure that the softener gets into the washing drum. Reduce the amount of detergent for the next wash cycle.

A non-HE (high-efficiency) detergent may have been used. Use a detergent designated for HE washing machines.

The Unbalanced Load Detection System may have been activated. The Unbalanced Load Detection System attempts to level out the imbalance by distributing your items several times. In the future, wash large and small items together to reduce potential imbalances.

The Foam Detection Function may have been activated. The Foam Detection Function uses an extra rinse cycle to reduce the amount of foam. In the future, reduce the amount of detergent used in accordance with the detergent manufacturer’s instructions.

The water temperature may be cooler than expected. Your washer will take longer to heat the water to the proper temperature.

The Unbalanced Load Detection System may have been activated. The Unbalanced Load Detection System attempts to level out the imbalance by distributing your items several times. In the future, wash large and small items together to reduce potential imbalances.

Your washer may be incorrectly leveled (e.g. after being moved). Make the washer level by using the appliance feet (each foot should carry approximately 25% of the total weight) and securing them according to the installation instructions in the Use & Care Guide.

The Unbalanced Load Detection System may have been activated. The Unbalanced Load Detection System attempts to level out the imbalance by distributing your items several times. In the future, wash large and small items together to reduce potential imbalances.

The floor that the washer is on may be susceptible to vibrations (e.g. wooden flooring). If possible, position the appliance in the corner of a room. Also, if possible, place a board (30 mm / ¾” thick, water-resistant) underneath and screw it down to the wooden flooring. Please follow the instructions in the Use & Care Guide for detailed instructions.

The shipping bolts (quantity four) used to transport your appliance may not have been removed. Remove them according to the installation instructions.

It is normal for the water level to be below the visible part of the washing window.

The drain/washer pump may be blocked by a foreign object. Clean the drain pipe and/or drain according to the instructions in the Use & Care Guide.

Drain hose may be pushed too far into the drain pipe. Drain hose should be placed no more than 6” into the drain pipe. It should also be secured so that the hose does not come loose. Do not seal the drain hose to the drain pipe so that it is completely covered.

Water valves may be leaking due to debris. If your washer has a
“Spin/Drain” Cycle, activate the “Spin/Drain” Cycle. If your washer does not have a “Spin/Drain” Cycle, activate the “Quickwash” Cycle. If problem persists, please call Bosch Customer Support at 1-800-944-2904.

The water tap may not be opened. Open the water tap.

Filters in the water inlet may be blocked. Clean the filters according to the instructions in the Use & Care Guide.

The supply hose screw connection may be leaking. Check and tighten the hose connections.

The drain hose may be leaking. Check or replace the drain hose. You can purchase a replacement drain hose from the Bosch eShop

Household drain pipe may be overflowing. Check the drain pipe during a wash cycle to see if it is leaking. If it is leaking, you may need to consult a plumber.

You may have chosen an inappropriate washing program or temperature for the level of soiling on your items. In the future, choose an appropriate washing program by consulting the Use & Care guide.

An improper amount of detergent may have been used. Too much or too little detergent will affect the cleanliness of your clothing. Contact your detergent manufacturer (phone number is located on the package) with regards to the amount of detergent to use.

Detergent may be too old. Contact your detergent manufacturer with regards to the shelf life of the product.

A phosphate-free detergent may have been used. Many phosphate-free detergents contain a water-insoluble residue, which can appear on washed items in the form of bright marks. Select "Rinse" immediately or brush your items after they are dry.

An improper amount of detergent may have been used. Too much or too little detergent will affect the cleanliness of your clothing. Contact your detergent manufacturer with regards to the amount of detergent to use.

You may have chosen an inappropriate washing program or temperature for the level of soiling on your items. In the future, choose an appropriate washing program by consulting the Use & Care guide.

Body oils/soils require warm to hot water to dissolve. Choose the appropriate washing program for your items.

An improper amount of detergent may have been used. Too much or too little detergent will affect the cleanliness of your clothing. Contact your detergent manufacturer (phone number is located on the package) with regards to the amount of detergent to use.

Search for your appliance on the Bosch home appliance website to see if a Use & Care Guide is available to download to your computer.

Call Bosch Customer Support at 1-800-944-2904 (Mon to Fri, 5AM - 6PM PST)