What Does the END Error Code Mean on a Bosch Washing Machine?
Clean the drain pump filter — located behind the small access panel at the bottom front of the machine — removing any debris or blockages, then restart the cycle to confirm water drains freely (takes about 10 minutes).
Fault description
When your Bosch washing machine displays END at the end of a cycle, it can mean one of two things: the programme completed normally and the display is simply confirming this, or the machine detected a problem during the drain phase and stopped before finishing. In the second scenario, you may notice water still sitting in the drum.
The drain system is the most common culprit. If the machine cannot pump water out within a set time, it flags the issue and halts the cycle to prevent flooding or motor damage. This is a protective measure, not a catastrophic failure.
Before calling anyone, it is worth checking a few straightforward things yourself. Most END drain faults are caused by a blocked filter or a kinked hose — both of which you can inspect and resolve at home without any specialist tools.
Causes
- Blocked drain pump filter — The pump filter traps lint, coins, hair grips, and other small items over time. A heavily clogged filter restricts water flow enough to prevent the drain cycle from completing.
- Kinked or obstructed drain hose — If the drain hose has been pushed too far into the standpipe, bent sharply behind the machine, or is partially blocked, water cannot exit at the required rate. This is a common cause after the machine has been moved or reinstalled.
- Blocked household standpipe or sink drain — The fault is not always inside the machine. If the external drain point — a standpipe, sink, or utility drain — is partially blocked, back pressure can prevent the pump from clearing the drum.
- Faulty or obstructed drain pump — Small objects such as a coin or button can pass through the filter and jam the pump impeller. A jammed impeller means the pump motor runs but cannot move water, triggering the END fault.
- Pressure sensor or wiring fault — The pressure sensor (also called the pressure switch) tells the control board when the drum is empty. If the sensor, its connecting hose, or the associated wiring is faulty, the machine may incorrectly believe water remains in the drum and stop the cycle.
- Control board issue — In less common cases, the main PCB may misread signals from the drain system and display END prematurely. This is usually only suspected after all mechanical causes have been ruled out.
Step-by-Step Fix
- 1
Check whether the cycle actually completed
Open the door carefully — if the drum is empty and the laundry feels spun, the programme finished normally and END is simply the confirmation message. Press the Start/Pause button or turn the dial to reset the display. No further action is needed.
- 2
Run a Drain or Spin programme
If water is still in the drum, select the Drain or Spin-only programme and press Start. Watch and listen — you should hear the pump running and water flowing into the standpipe within 30 seconds. If the cycle completes and the drum empties, the original fault may have been a one-off. If it fails again, continue to the next steps.
- 3
Clean the drain pump filter
Turn off and unplug the machine. Open the small access flap at the bottom front of the appliance. Place a shallow tray and some towels underneath, then slowly unscrew the filter cap — water will flow out. Remove the filter completely, rinse it under a tap, and clear any debris from the filter housing. Check the impeller inside the housing for obstructions and turn it by hand to confirm it spins freely. Refit the filter firmly before plugging the machine back in.
- 4
Inspect the drain hose
Pull the machine forward slightly and trace the drain hose from the back of the appliance to where it enters the standpipe or connects to the sink. Straighten any kinks and ensure the hose is not inserted more than 15 cm into the standpipe — too deep creates a siphon effect that can prevent proper draining. Confirm the hose end is not submerged in standing water.
- 5
Check the household drain point
Pour a bucket of water directly into the standpipe or sink drain to confirm it clears quickly. If it drains slowly, the blockage is in your household plumbing rather than the machine. Use a drain cleaner or plunger to clear it before running the washing machine again.
- 6
Inspect the pressure sensor hose
With the machine unplugged, remove the top panel (usually two screws at the rear). Locate the small corrugated hose running from the side of the drum up to the pressure sensor — a small round component mounted on the side of the cabinet. Detach the hose, blow through it gently to confirm it is clear, and check that both ends are firmly connected. A blocked or disconnected pressure hose can cause false END readings.
- 7
Reset the machine and test
After completing any of the above checks, plug the machine back in, select a short cotton cycle, and stay nearby for the first 15 minutes to observe whether the machine drains correctly at the end of the wash phase. If END reappears and water remains in the drum, the fault is likely a failed pump or control board issue requiring a service technician.
Affected models
Select your model to see its full troubleshooting page.
When to call a service technician
If you have cleaned the filter, confirmed the hose is clear, and checked the household drain — but the machine still fails to empty and displays END — the drain pump itself may have failed electrically or the impeller may be broken rather than simply jammed. A service technician can test the pump motor with a multimeter and replace it safely.
You should also contact a service technician if the END code appears on cycles that do not involve draining, if the machine trips your household electrics when it attempts to drain, or if you notice burning smells during operation. These symptoms point to an electrical fault that should not be investigated without proper training.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is END always a fault on a Bosch washing machine?
Not always. On many Bosch models, END simply means the programme has finished — it is a normal status message. The distinction is whether water remains in the drum. If the drum is empty and the laundry is spun, the cycle completed successfully and you can ignore the display.
How do I get the water out of the drum if the machine has stopped mid-cycle?
Use the manual drain via the pump filter. Place a shallow tray under the filter access panel at the bottom front of the machine, then slowly unscrew the filter cap to let the water drain out in a controlled flow. Have plenty of towels ready — a full drum can hold 15 to 20 litres of water.
How often should I clean the Bosch washing machine pump filter?
Bosch recommends cleaning the pump filter roughly every three months under normal use. If you wash heavily soiled items, pet bedding, or large loads frequently, clean it monthly. A quick clean takes less than five minutes and is the single most effective way to prevent drain faults.
Can a full load cause the END drain error?
An overloaded drum can contribute to drain issues because excess laundry produces more lint, which blocks the filter faster. It can also cause the machine to struggle during the spin phase, leaving more water in the load than the pump can handle efficiently. Stick to the recommended load capacity shown in your model's manual.
Will the END error clear itself after I fix the blockage?
Yes, in most cases. Once you have cleared the filter or hose and the machine successfully completes a drain or spin cycle, the END code will reset automatically. You do not need to enter a service mode or use any special reset procedure — simply run a short programme to confirm normal operation.