What Does Error Code E18 Mean on a Siemens Washing Machine?
Clean the drain pump filter at the bottom-front of the machine by unscrewing the cap, removing any debris, and rinsing the filter under a tap, then restart the cycle to clear the error (takes about 10 minutes).
Fault description
Error code E18 is Siemens' way of telling you that water is not leaving the drum fast enough — or at all. The machine monitors how long it takes to empty after a wash or rinse cycle, and if that process stalls, it stops and displays E18 to prevent flooding or damage to internal components.
When this error appears, you will typically find the drum still full or partially full of water, and the door lock will remain engaged as a safety measure. The machine will not continue the programme until the fault is resolved.
The good news is that the most common causes are straightforward blockages that you can clear yourself without any specialist tools. Working through the steps below in order will resolve the fault in the majority of cases.
Causes
- Blocked drain pump filter — The pump filter traps lint, coins, hair grips, and other small items before they reach the pump. Over time this filter becomes clogged and restricts or completely stops water flow, which is the single most common trigger for E18.
- Kinked or obstructed drain hose — If the drain hose behind the machine has been pushed against a wall, twisted during installation, or partially crushed, water cannot flow freely to the standpipe or sink. Even a partial kink is enough to cause a drain timeout.
- Blocked household standpipe or sink drain — The blockage is not always inside the washing machine itself. If the standpipe or the sink it drains into is partially blocked, water backs up and the machine cannot empty. This is easy to overlook when diagnosing E18.
- Faulty drain pump — If the pump impeller is jammed by a foreign object, or the pump motor has failed electrically, the machine will be unable to drain regardless of how clear the filter and hose are. You may hear a humming noise with no water movement, or complete silence where the pump should be running.
- Faulty pressure sensor or wiring — The pressure sensor tells the control board when the drum is empty. If the sensor or its connecting hose is faulty, the board may believe water is still present even after successful draining, triggering a false E18 code.
Step-by-Step Fix
- 1
Switch off and unplug the machine
Before doing anything else, turn the programme dial to off and unplug the machine from the wall socket. This is essential for safety before you open the filter access panel. Place a few old towels on the floor in front of the machine.
- 2
Drain residual water manually
Open the small access flap at the bottom-front of the machine. You will find a short rubber drain hose with a cap on the end. Pull it out, hold it low over a shallow bowl or tray, and remove the cap to let the water drain out slowly. Refill the bowl as needed until no more water comes out.
- 3
Clean the drain pump filter
Once the water is drained, unscrew the large circular filter cap anti-clockwise. Pull the filter out and remove any lint, coins, hair, or debris caught in it. Rinse the filter under a running tap, check the filter housing cavity for any remaining objects, then refit the filter firmly and replace the drain hose cap.
- 4
Check the drain hose for kinks or blockages
Pull the machine gently away from the wall and inspect the full length of the grey corrugated drain hose. Straighten any kinks and make sure the hose is not compressed against the wall or cabinet. The hose should curve up to the standpipe entry point without sharp bends.
- 5
Check the standpipe or sink drain
Pour a bucket of water directly into the standpipe or sink that the washing machine drains into. If it drains slowly or backs up, the household drain is the problem, not the machine. Clear the blockage with a drain cleaner or plunger before running the machine again.
- 6
Restart the machine and run a short cycle
Plug the machine back in, select a short spin or rinse-and-spin programme, and watch and listen as it runs. You should hear the pump running clearly and see water leaving through the drain hose. If the cycle completes without E18 returning, the fault is resolved.
- 7
Inspect the pump impeller for obstructions
If E18 persists after the steps above, unplug the machine again, remove the filter, and use a torch to look into the pump housing. Reach in carefully and try to turn the impeller by hand — it should rotate freely. If it is jammed or will not turn, there is likely a foreign object lodged in the pump that will need to be removed, or the pump itself may need replacing.
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 and standpipe are clear, and checked that the pump impeller turns freely, but E18 continues to appear, the drain pump motor has most likely failed and will need to be replaced. This involves disconnecting electrical connectors and removing the pump from the machine base, which is straightforward for an experienced service technician but carries risk if you are unfamiliar with appliance wiring.
You should also contact a service technician if the machine shows E18 immediately after installation with no visible blockage, as this may point to a wiring fault, a defective pressure sensor, or a control board issue that requires diagnostic equipment to identify accurately.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still use my Siemens washing machine while it is showing E18?
No. When E18 is active the machine has halted the programme because it cannot drain safely. Running further cycles without resolving the fault risks leaving standing water in the drum for extended periods, which can cause odours and may put additional strain on the pump motor.
How do I get the water out of the drum before I can open the door?
Use the small emergency drain hose located behind the filter access flap at the bottom-front of the machine. Removing the cap from this hose and holding it over a low bowl will allow the water to drain by gravity. Once the drum is empty, the door lock should release after a minute or two.
How often should I clean the pump filter on a Siemens washing machine?
Siemens recommends checking and cleaning the pump filter approximately every three months under normal use. If you wash items that shed a lot of lint, pet bedding, or heavily soiled workwear, cleaning it monthly is a sensible precaution.
Will E18 clear itself after I fix the blockage, or do I need to reset the machine?
In most cases, once the underlying fault is resolved, running a short rinse-and-spin cycle will clear the error automatically. If the code persists after a successful drain, try switching the machine off at the wall for two minutes and then restarting — this allows the control board to reset its fault memory.
Is E18 the same as error code F18 on Siemens machines?
On most Siemens washing machine models the codes E18 and F18 refer to the same drain fault and are used interchangeably depending on the display type fitted to the machine. The diagnosis and repair steps are identical for both codes.