Bosch Washer Code E04 [Here’s Solution]

Look, my third Bosch washer is still running in 2022. It has never triggered Bosch washer code E04. My clothes always come out very clean. It’s almost been four years and no service calls.

My secret?

I bought a new drain pump and ran several gallons of hot water with only fabric softener. Then I drained and it worked. Not for the first time. Not for the second time. Not for the third time. The Bosch washer code EO4 error stayed for 6 months before showing up. 

Next time it happens I will run a hot wash and drain cycle. I have never used hot water or a fabric softener. That said, we decided to make running a hot wash cycle a routine to flush out excess residues and sud.

The good news:

Today I want to share with you how you can clear the Bosch washer code EO4. But first, it’s important to understand the basics.

What Does E04 Mean on Bosch Washing Machine?

E04 error code on the Bosch washer means there’s too much foam or sud that prevents the pump from draining. Too much sud makes the washer run at a low speed which makes the clothes wet. 

But that’s not all. 

It can also increase the time the washer needs to rinse clothes. The cause of the suds is the excess use of detergent. Other causes of sud or foam in a Bosch washer are:

• Addition of water softener in hard water
• Increase in agitation which causes water damage
• Accumulation of soap in fabrics
• Using the wrong type of detergent.

Too much of this foam causes graying in lighter clothes, skin irritation, odors, and many more. Molds or mildew can also inhibit inside your Bosch washer. There are things you can do to prevent the formation of suds in the future. 

As someone who has repaired washers for 17 years, I’ve discovered that if you are not getting a Bosch washer code EO4, you’re having Bosch washer error code E13 because they are related. All of them involve the drain pump.

How Do I Fix E04 Error on Bosch Washing Machine?

Check the Amount of Detergent

Too much or the wrong type of detergent is the cause of sud. The more you have it in the water the more foam it’ll produce. The amount of detergent you use is affected by several factors.

For instance:

Soft water needs ⅓ cups of detergent for excellent wash performance. Anything in between will need your conscious judgment. Hard water needs a lot of detergent for excellent wash performance.

Why?

It has a high level of dissolved minerals that increase in concentration as the water becomes harder. For optimum performance with a high-efficiency Bosch washer, you need to use two tablespoons of liquid detergent. If you have soiled clothes you are better off pre-soaking than adding extra detergent. Suppose you want to add a detergent using only 50% per load.

When it comes to high-efficiency powdered commercial detergent, put two tablespoons of detergent into the drum and load clothes. Don’t use the automatic dispenser. Most powdered detergents need maximum exposure to water to dissolve.

A lot of detergent manufacturers will want you to use more of their products. But why? To boost their sales. With high-efficiency washers like Bosch washers, you need to use less detergent. The low water level used in these machines requires you to use less detergent. 

If you want to use more detergent then you have to rinse your clothes two or three times and use a lot of water. Otherwise, you are better off buying standard machines like this one.

Product Update: I bought this washer for robustness, longevity, and reliability. And I can’t believe I am just discovering it now. Speaking of zero-effort things, I stumbled upon the washer on different appliance forums and it honestly stopped me in my tracks. Not only did I like its mechanical superiority but I was also shaken by the praises people gave it.

Run Hot Wash Cycle 

First:

Stop the wash cycle if it’s still running. You’ll prevent foam from getting inside the motor and control board. That can cause serious issues and can short-circuit your washer. So ensure the washer is not off.

Use the drain filter to remove excess water from the washer. You’ll find the drain filter bottom right under the panel. Next, you’ll have to remove the clothes and collect the sud from the Bosch washer drum. After that, you can follow my next procedure of running a hot wash cycle.

Maintenance and care for your Bosch washer are vital to keeping it in optimal working performance. Taking care of it ensures that you’ll need to run a hot cycle with the washer empty to get rid of unwanted buildup.

Run the washer at 40 degrees wash to remove odors that might be inside. Don’t forget to also clean the detergent drawer. Remove it and soak it in a bowl. If it’s dirty you can add some bleach for extra cleaning. Use a supersonic scrubber to wipe the drawer’s gap. 

Running a hot wash with an excellent fabric softener helps loosen any grease and remove excess suds in the washer. If you want the Bosch washer to be extra clean you’ll have to run the hot wash cycle four times. Sometimes you don’t need to add any detergent because hot water will do the work for you.

That’s exactly what I did to my Bosch washer and the problem was solved. So anytime you get the error trying to run a hot wash cycle first and reset the washer later.

Why?

It will save you $100 on a service call and buying a new drain pump. If after doing this you are still getting the error then you need to check the drain pump.

Hack: Ways to calm the sud in your Bosch washer

The best way of preventing sud build-up is rectifying the problem. However, if you start the cycle and you see a bubble bath which indicates the production of suds you have to calm it before it starts to leak. Add half a cup of white vinegar to the detergent drawer to calm the bubbles down. It will work right away. If you want the clothes to be extra clean you can add vinegar to the rinse cycle too.

Suppose you don’t have any vinegar, use a fabric softener and water to experience the same effect with vinegar. You’ll only add a half cup of the softener in the detergent drawer. Then you’ll have to run the rinse cycle to remove the excess suds in the washer and on clothes.

Diagnosing the Drain Pump

A faulty drain pump can cause drainage issues and sud. To repair the pump, you’ll have to open the Bosch washer. A few things should guide you if you need to diagnose the Bosch washer’s drain pump:

• Before running the drain cycle, the Bosch washer stops and freezes with the drum full of water.
• The pump does not make its usual sound and it doesn’t show any sign of working.

If any of the above ticks off you’ll have to access the pump. Before that ensure your washer is off to avoid electrocution. Open the Bosch washer’s panel and ache the drain filter for signs of damage, rust, or clogs. If you find any, you have to either clean them or replace them with a new drain filter. If they’re no clogs in the drain hose, then you’ll need to diagnose it using an ohmmeter.

Turn on the ohmmeter and adjust the scale to read zero. Pull the two wires connecting to the drain pump and take their readings. A reading of zero should mean that the pump is faulty and you need to replace it. 

If you have done everything we have shared you shouldn’t receive the Bosch washer error code E04 when you are running. However, I am confident that the solutions I have outlined here will help you.