Bosch · Washing Machine
Bosch Washing Machine E16 Error Code
Door not closed or lock not confirmed
What this error means
E16 (F16) appears when the door lock switch never confirms a locked position before fill or spin. Bosch front-loaders refuse to run with an open or unlatched door to prevent water escape during wash.
How E16 is detected
When E16 appears on a Bosch washing machine, the control board has confirmed that water did not leave the machine within the programmed drain window. On Bosch WAT28400UC, Bosch WGG254AXUC, and similar variants, the drain pump runs for a fixed interval—often three to seven minutes on washers and dishwashers—while a pressure switch or turbidity sensor verifies the tub or sump is empty. If water remains, the cycle stops to prevent spin with a full tub or overflow on the next fill.
Most E16 calls are resolved without parts: pull fabric out of the gasket channel and press the door until you hear one lock click. Restricted drain paths mimic pump failure because the impeller spins against a blocked hose or filter. Document whether the pump hums audibly during the drain step; a humming pump with no water movement points to a clogged filter or kinked hose, while silence may indicate a failed pump motor or loose wiring at the harness.
After clearing blockages, run a short cycle and listen at the drain hose for steady water flow. If E16 returns on the next load with a clean filter and straight hose, measure resistance at the pump motor connector per the service manual for your model before ordering a replacement pump assembly.
Common causes
- Clothing trapped in the door gasket fold
- Door not pushed until the latch engages the strike
- Broken door hook on the hinged assembly
- Failed door lock motor after years of cycles
Step-by-step fixes
- 1Pull fabric out of the gasket channel and press the door until you hear one lock click
- 2Inspect the strike plate on the cabinet for looseness and retighten screws
- 3Power-cycle by unplugging two minutes, then close the door firmly and restart
- 4Listen at the lock during start—a buzz without a click suggests a failed latch motor
When to call a technician
Replace the door lock assembly if the door physically closes flush but E16 appears every cycle.
Affected models
- Bosch WAT28400UC
- Bosch WGG254AXUC
- Bosch WGB246AXUC
Prevention & maintenance
- Clean drain filters and hose terminations monthly on high-use washing machines to prevent E16 from lint and food debris buildup.
- Record when E16 appears in the cycle and whether it clears after a 60-second power reset on your Bosch washing machine—that detail speeds diagnosis if you call service.
- Keep the model and serial number from the rating plate when ordering parts for E16; Bosch uses multiple revisions with different harness lengths and board firmware.
- Photograph wiring connector orientation before disconnecting any component while troubleshooting E16; reversed plugs on pumps and valves cause immediate repeat faults.