Siemens Washing Machine Error Codes
Siemens washing machines share their electronics and diagnostic architecture with Bosch, since both brands are manufactured by BSH Hausgeräte. The code format is nearly identical — an E or F prefix followed by two digits — and in practice a Siemens machine displaying a given code is having exactly the same underlying fault as a Bosch machine showing the same number.
E01 – Door lock fault. The door hasn't been detected as securely latched. Check for anything caught in the door seal, then inspect the door lock switch; a switch that tests faulty with a multimeter needs replacing rather than cleaned.
E09 / E18 – Drain time exceeded. The machine can't clear the water within the expected window. Clean the pump filter, check for a kinked or blocked drain hose, and check the pump chamber for foreign objects like coins or hairpins.
E13 / E19 – Heating circuit fault. The wash water isn't reaching temperature in time. Test the heating element's resistance with a multimeter and check the NTC temperature sensor; a heater with an open circuit needs replacing.
E20 – Water inlet fault. Water isn't entering the drum fast enough or at all. Confirm the tap is fully open, the inlet filter screen is clean, and the inlet hose isn't kinked behind the machine.
E23 – Drain pump fault. The control board isn't seeing the expected current draw from the drain pump. If the pump doesn't run at all during a spin cycle, the pump motor or its wiring harness has likely failed.
E24 – Drain circuit or wiring fault. Closely related to E23; check the wiring harness between the control board and the pump for a loose or corroded connector before assuming the pump itself is bad.
E25 – Pressure switch out of range. The water-level sensor is reporting a reading outside normal limits, most often because the small hose connecting the tub to the pressure switch has kinked, disconnected, or developed a pinhole leak.
E31 – Overflow condition. The washer has detected too much water in the tub. Turn off the water supply at the tap and check whether the inlet valve is stuck open before restarting the machine.
E32 – Load imbalance. The drum couldn't achieve a safe spin balance. Pause the cycle, redistribute the laundry so weight is spread evenly, and restart; a single heavy item like a duvet washed alone is a common trigger.
E52 – Motor tachometer signal fault. The control board isn't getting proper speed feedback from the motor. This points to the motor's speed sensor or its wiring and usually requires bench testing to confirm.
Preventing Siemens Error Codes
Regular filter and hose maintenance prevents the majority of Siemens fault codes before they happen. Clean the drain pump filter every couple of months, since a blocked filter is the leading cause behind both E09/E18 drain faults and the vibration complaints owners sometimes report alongside them. Run the machine's dedicated maintenance or hot-wash cycle periodically, since Siemens (like sister brand Bosch) recommends this to prevent detergent and mineral buildup around the heating element, which is directly tied to E13/E19 heating faults over time. Check the door seal for trapped debris and grit every few loads, since a seal that isn't seated properly is a common and easily overlooked cause of E01. Finally, avoid single heavy items like duvets or rugs washed alone, since these are the most frequent trigger for E32 load-imbalance faults on Siemens's higher-spin-speed models.
When to Call a Professional
Fill, drain, and door faults are generally within reach of a confident DIY repair. Heating circuit and motor faults (E13/E19 and E52) involve mains-voltage components and multimeter testing on the main control board, so they're usually better handled by a Siemens-authorized technician.