E18 shows up when the washer’s drain cycle runs past its expected time. The control board doesn’t know exactly why the water hasn’t cleared, it just knows the drain took too long, so it stops the cycle rather than risk overflowing on the next fill. Most of the time the cause is sitting in the pump housing or the drain hose, not the pump motor itself.
Brand: Bosch
Bosch Washer Error Code E18 (Drain Timeout)
E18 means Bosch’s washer couldn’t finish draining within its expected time, almost always a blocked pump or a kinked drain hose.
Meaning
Possible causes
No cause is certain until it has been checked on the appliance.
- Very likely Debris (lint, a coin, a bra underwire) jammed in the pump housing, blocking the impeller
- Likely Kinked drain hose somewhere along its run to the standpipe or siphon
- Likely Clogged drain hose or siphon spigot from lint buildup over time
- Rare Failing drain pump motor that turns on but can't build enough flow
First checks
- Open the pump service flap near the bottom front of the machine and check that the impeller wheel spins freely by hand.
- Trace the drain hose for kinks or tight bends, especially where it connects to the wall standpipe.
- Disconnect the hose at the siphon connection and clear out any lint or debris caught at the joint.
- Run the machine's dedicated drain or pump-out program after clearing debris to confirm the fix before starting a full wash.
What not to do
- Forcing the impeller wheel with a screwdriver if it won't turn freely, this can crack the housing. Call a technician if it's seized.
- Running another full cycle before clearing the blockage. E18 tends to repeat and can leave standing water sitting in the drum between attempts.
An error code varies by brand
The same code can have a different meaning depending on the brand and model. Always check your appliance's manual before acting.
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When to call a professional
If the simple checks didn’t solve it, if the fix involves electrical wiring, gas, or the refrigerant circuit, or if you have any doubt at all: stop there and hand the appliance to a qualified repair professional.