What E:36 Means
E:36 is a drainage fault on newer Bosch washing machines, shown on the display with a two-character detail number after it such as -10, -25 or -26. The user manual's cause list is all about the drain path: a blocked or kinked drain pipe or outlet hose, a blocked drain pump, an outlet hose connected too high, and a pump cover that has not been reassembled correctly.
Common Causes of E:36
- Drain pump or its filter blocked
- Drain hose kinked, trapped or blocked
- Outlet hose installed higher than the specified maximum, or pump cover refitted incorrectly
🔧 One Safe Check You Can Try
Clean the drain pump following the procedure in your manual, then check the outlet hose is not kinked and is installed no higher than about one metre, which is the height Bosch specifies. Make sure the pump cover goes back fully and squarely.
⚠ Why You Shouldn't Go Further Than That
- One of the documented causes is a pump cover that was not reassembled correctly, which means a previous clean-out can be the reason the code appeared.
- Opening the pump housing releases whatever water is still in the drum, and doing it without a tray floods the floor.
- Rerouting the outlet hose incorrectly can create a siphon, which empties the machine as fast as it fills and looks like a different fault.
- Past the filter the pump carries mains voltage, so the machine has to be isolated before anything is dismantled.
Opening a panel to inspect or repair something yourself doesn't automatically cancel your manufacturer's warranty — but it can risk accidental damage, and some manufacturers do have specific service conditions. Check your product's warranty terms, or ask us, before deciding.