E01 Bosch washer error: A troubleshooting guide

If you’re seeing an E01 (may display as E:01 or Er:01) fault code on your front-loading Bosch washing machine, you’ll be glad to know that some DIY troubleshooting can usually resolve the problem. This fault code usually means that the washer door has opened during an active wash cycle. When this happens, water can leak out of the washer and potentially damage your floor.

Let’s walk through the process so you can get your washer back up and running again.

If you find out that you need any replacement parts for your Bosch washer while you’re troubleshooting, you can enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com to order them. Most orders arrive in just two business days, and we have thousands of free guides to show you how to install your new parts.

Important: The troubleshooting information in this article is based on general service manuals and may not apply to your specific appliance model. While we strive to offer helpful advice for DIY appliance repairs, variations in models and configurations can lead to differences in troubleshooting steps, error codes and part replacements. For the most accurate guidance, we strongly recommend consulting the technical sheet for your specific appliance model.

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Safety precautions

When working on any appliance, remember to keep safety first. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before you attempt any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by eliminating any risk of electric shock.
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time to cool down before working on it.
• Take your time while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries. Rushing is the enemy of precision.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can see and access appliance parts.
• Keep your workspace free of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check the user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions related to your appliance or replacement part.
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause personal injury.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts and debris.
• When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
• Always take photos or make a note of wiring terminals or other connections before disconnecting them to make reassembly easier.
• Don’t test live voltage with a multimeter if you’re unfamiliar with how to prevent short-circuiting.
• Turn off the water supply at the outlet before beginning repairs. Keep towels ready to catch any residual water in the system when removing parts.

Read more:  How to Decide What Water Temperature to Use for Laundry

How to resolve the E01 error code

Find out how you can clear an E01 fault code from your Bosch washer by following these steps.

Step 1: Inspect the door latch and lock area

The first thing to check is if the washer door is fully closing and latching properly. When closed, the door should be completely flush with no gaps.

1. Unplug the washer from the power supply.
2. Examine the rubber door seal (also called a gasket) around the opening. Make sure it’s evenly seated without any twists, tears or other damage and not clogged with debris. Remove any debris you find. If the gasket is damaged, replace it with a new one.
3. Try manually triggering the door lock by reaching inside the door rim and pressing the lock mechanism. You should hear an audible click as it engages.
4. Examine where the latch shaft inserts into the door lock opening. Make sure the latch shaft is straight and fully inserted into the lock opening.
5. Check for any damage, excessive wear, or blockages around the door latch and lock parts. If the latch is damaged, replace it with a new one.
6. Make sure the wire connectors are securely attached.

Step 2: Test the door lock

1. Make sure the washing machine is unplugged from the power supply.
2. Find the door lock mechanism, which is usually mounted behind the front panel, on the inside rim of the door opening.
3. Find the wire harness connector that plugs into the door lock. Release the connector.
4. Set your multimeter to resistance mode (Ω).
5. Touch the metal prongs of the multimeter probes to the two door lock terminals that are exposed in the harness connector.
6. Check the meter display, which will show the resistance reading across the lock mechanism. Compare the reading with the acceptable range in your model’s service manual. The resistance should be between 159-211 Ohms.

If you get a reading that’s outside the acceptable range, especially if you get very high resistance (open circuit) or very low resistance (short circuit), then the door lock is faulty and needs to be replaced.

Step 3: Check for power at the door lock

LIVE VOLTAGE WARNING: For this test, the washer needs to be plugged in and powered on. Please be very careful to protect yourself from electric shock, which has the potential to cause serious injuries. Don’t ever test live voltage if you’re uncomfortable using a multimeter.

When testing for power at the door lock, be sure to do so only during an active wash cycle when the lock is supposed to be activated. Here’s how:

1. With the washer unplugged, find the door lock wire harness.
2. Plug the washer back in and start a wash cycle.
3. Set a multimeter to measure volts AC.
4. Touch the meter probes to the harness connector terminals.
5. Check the meter reading. 120 volts should be present at the lock harness when the cycle starts.

If you don’t get 120 volts during the cycle, then power isn’t being received from the control board to activate the lock. This may be caused by a loose or damaged wiring connection from the board to the door lock.

Step 4: Check the door lock wiring

1. Unplug the washer and access the door lock area.
2. Disconnect the harness plugs from the door lock, door switch, and control board.
3. Check for any corrosion or damage like frays and burn spots on the harness connectors. If you find any damage, replace the wiring.
4. Make sure the wires are securely fastened with no detached strands.
5. Set a multimeter to continuity mode and use the probes to check the wire harness for continuity. If there’s no continuity and the meter doesn’t make a beeping sound, replace the wire harness.

If everything so far has passed testing and looks good, replace the control board as a last resort.

Read more:  Seven Steps to Master Your Laundry Day: A Complete Guide

More information

Thank you for reading! We hope this guide helped you get your Bosch washer working again.

If you have any other appliance repair needs or projects, don’t hesitate to explore our other troubleshooting guides and videos.

If you need replacement parts or some extra help with ordering them, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com, where you can chat with a pro, read our DIY blog and more.

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