What Does the END Code Mean on a Siemens 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 spin/drain cycle to confirm water clears fully (takes about 10 minutes).
Fault description
When your Siemens washing machine displays END, it can mean one of two things: the wash programme has completed normally and the machine is simply letting you know it has finished, or the machine attempted a drain cycle and was unable to empty the drum fully before stopping. In the second scenario, END acts as a fault indicator rather than a completion notice.
The key way to tell the difference is to check the drum. If it is empty and the door unlocks without issue, the programme ended successfully. If there is standing water in the drum, or the door remains locked, the machine has flagged a drain problem and stopped mid-cycle to prevent overflow or further damage.
This code affects the drain and spin system. The machine will not proceed to the next cycle or allow a new programme to start until the underlying issue is resolved. In most cases the fix is straightforward and does not require specialist tools.
Causes
- Blocked or dirty drain pump filter — The pump filter collects lint, coins, hair clips and other small items over time. A heavily clogged filter restricts water flow enough to prevent the drum from draining within the expected time, causing the machine to stop and display END.
- Kinked or blocked drain hose — If the drain hose behind the machine has become kinked, squashed against a wall, or has a partial blockage inside it, water cannot exit at the correct rate. This is especially common after the machine has been moved or reinstalled.
- Blocked household standpipe or sink drain — The problem is not always inside the machine. If the standpipe or the sink drain the hose empties into is partially blocked, back pressure can prevent the machine from draining. Running water down the sink will quickly confirm whether this is the cause.
- Faulty drain pump — The drain pump itself can fail due to a seized impeller, a burned-out motor, or a foreign object jamming the pump mechanism. When the pump cannot run at full speed, the machine detects that draining has not completed and halts the cycle.
- Drain hose positioned too high or too low — Siemens machines require the drain hose outlet to be positioned between 60 cm and 100 cm from the floor. If it is too low, water siphons out continuously; if too high, the pump cannot push water up effectively. Either situation can trigger an incomplete drain.
- Control board or pressure sensor fault — Less commonly, the pressure sensor that tells the control board when the drum is empty can give a false reading, or the control board itself may misinterpret sensor data. In these cases the drum may actually be empty but the machine still reports an incomplete drain.
Step-by-Step Fix
- 1
Check whether the drum is actually empty
Open the door if it unlocks freely and look inside. If the drum is empty and dry, the END code simply means the programme finished — press the programme selector to reset the display and the machine is ready to use. If there is standing water, continue to the steps below.
- 2
Run a dedicated drain or spin programme
Select the Drain or Spin programme on the dial and press Start. Watch and listen — you should hear the pump running within a few seconds. If water begins to empty, the blockage may be minor. If nothing happens or the machine stops again quickly, move to the next step.
- 3
Clean the drain pump filter
Place a shallow tray and some towels on the floor in front of the machine. Open the small access flap at the bottom front, unscrew the emergency drain hose cap to release residual water slowly, then unscrew the filter cap fully and pull out the filter. Remove all debris, rinse the filter under a tap, check inside the filter housing for any objects, then refit the filter firmly and close the flap. Restart a drain cycle to test.
- 4
Inspect the drain hose for kinks or blockages
Pull the machine gently away from the wall and trace the grey drain hose from the back of the machine to where it enters the standpipe or connects to the sink. Straighten any kinks and ensure the hose is not compressed. If you suspect an internal blockage, disconnect the hose at the standpipe end and flush water through it into a bucket.
- 5
Check the standpipe or sink drain
Pour a jug of water directly into the standpipe or sink drain that the machine empties into. If it drains slowly or backs up, the household plumbing is the issue, not the machine. Clear the blockage with a drain cleaner or plunger before running the machine again.
- 6
Verify the drain hose height
Measure the height at which the drain hose outlet sits above floor level. It should be between 60 cm and 100 cm. If it is outside this range, reposition the hose using the plastic hose guide or hook supplied with the machine, or secure it to the standpipe at the correct height with a cable tie.
- 7
Listen to the pump during a drain cycle
If the steps above have not resolved the issue, start a drain programme and listen carefully at the front lower panel. A healthy pump produces a consistent low hum. No sound at all suggests a failed pump motor; a grinding or rattling noise suggests a foreign object is jamming the impeller. Either finding means the pump should be inspected or replaced.
Affected models
Select your model to see its full troubleshooting page.
When to call a service technician
Contact a service technician if the drum will not drain after you have cleaned the filter, cleared the hose, and confirmed the household plumbing is clear. A pump that makes no sound, produces a burning smell, or rattles loudly during a drain cycle is likely failed and needs professional assessment and replacement.
You should also seek professional help if the END code persists even when the drum is completely empty and the hose installation is correct. This points to a faulty pressure sensor or a control board fault — both of which require diagnostic equipment and component-level repair that goes beyond safe DIY work.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is END always a fault, or does it just mean the wash has finished?
END can mean either. If the drum is empty and the door unlocks normally, the programme completed successfully and no action is needed. If there is water in the drum or the door stays locked, the machine stopped because it could not complete the drain cycle, and you will need to investigate the cause.
How do I manually drain my Siemens washing machine when it shows END?
Open the small access panel at the bottom front of the machine. Pull out the thin emergency drain hose, remove its cap, and let the water drain into a shallow tray or bowl. Once the drum is empty you can open the door and access the pump filter for cleaning. Have plenty of towels ready as this process can be slow.
Can I use my Siemens washing machine while it shows END?
If the END code is showing because the programme finished normally, yes — simply reset the dial and start a new programme. If the code is showing because of a drain fault and there is water in the drum, do not start a new programme until the drain issue is resolved, as this could cause an overflow or put extra strain on the pump.
How often should I clean the pump filter to prevent drain faults?
Siemens recommends cleaning the pump filter roughly every three months under normal use. If you wash heavily soiled items, pet bedding, or items that shed a lot of fibre, clean it monthly. A quick clean takes only five to ten minutes and is the single most effective way to prevent drain-related error codes.
Could a full load or heavy laundry cause the END drain fault?
An overloaded drum can slow the spin cycle and leave more water in the laundry than usual, which puts extra demand on the drain pump. While overloading alone rarely triggers END, it can tip the balance if the filter is already partially blocked. Stick to the recommended load weight shown in your machine's manual and keep the filter clean.