The E29 error code on a Bosch washing machine means that the water is not entering the machine and the cycle can’t start.
This can be caused by a range of problems including faulty water valves, a kinked water pipe and even problems with the door lock.
Depending on the model number of your washing machine you might be experiencing both the E29 error code and the E17 error code which both indicate a problem with the machine when attempting to fill with water.
Before you go ahead and try to fix your washing machine or carry out any inspections it’s important that you isolate it from the electrical supply so that you can work safely.
This is what you should do to fix the E29 error code on your Bosch washing machine:
Make sure that the door is closed properly
The first thing that you should do if your washing machine has an E29 error is to make sure that the door is closed.
If the door is not closed on your machine, then it won’t be able to start the cycle and fill up with water.
Bosch washing machines will usually display the F16 error code if the door is not closed but sometimes it will get confused and display errors related to other parts of the machine.
You should also make sure that nothing is obstructing the door from closing and engaging properly like a piece of clothing that’s trapped in between the door.
Turn the water tap on
The most common reason that a Bosch washing machine will display the E29 error code is that the water supply tap is turned to the off position.
This is even more common on a washing machine that has recently been installed for the first time.
The water supply tap is located at the end of the water fill pipe and will usually have a blue cap on the top to indicate that it is the cold water fill.
You should be able to turn the top of the tap to the on position which is usually so that the tap is pointing in the direction of the pipe line.
When you turn the tap, you should be able to hear the water entering the pipes and then your machine should start filling up with water when you start the wash cycle.
A good way to diagnose a washing machine that’s being starved of water is to turn the machine on to a short cycle and if you can hear a buzzing noise coming from the valves it’s because they are starved of water.
If you turn the water supply tap to the on position and hear the water flowing through the pipe but you’re still getting the E29 error, then you should move on to checking the fill pipe for kinks.
Check the water fill pipe
The water fill pipe is at the back of your washing machine and is what connects the water supply tap to the machine.
It’s common for the pipe to get kinked and trapped at the back of the machine especially if your washing machine is located under a countertop.
You should pull the machine out and take a look at the back to see if you can identify any problems with the installation and any reasons why water can’t travel through the pipe.
It’s also a good idea to turn the water supply off and take a look inside the end of the water pipe so you can remove any blockages that may have built up.
Blockages in the fill pipe are much more common on older machines where there has been enough time for a blockage to build up.
Test the water inlet valve
If you remove the lid on your washing machine the water inlet valve is located at the back left on most Bosch washing machines.
If you have access to an electrical multimeter you can test the continuity across the terminals on the water valve to see if it has broken.
If your multimeter is reading as no continuity, then the valve will need to be replaced for a new one to fix the E29 error.
It’s also common for the wires to break because they are very thin especially if your machine has been banging around and shaking a lot recently.
It’s also worth mentioning that if your washing machine has had a repair recently then the chances of the wiring at the top of the machine being damaged is increased.
If the water pressure is good up to the water inlet valve and it’s making a buzzing noise when the machine is trying to fill with water it’s probably because the solenoid valve is jammed.
This is also another reason that you will have to replace the valve because repairing them is not usually an option.
Summary
That’s everything that you need to know when it comes to fixing the E29 error code on your Bosch washing machine.
Here is a summary of everything:
- Start off by making sure the door is closed properly – If something is stopping the door from shutting then the machine might display the E29 error code because the cycle can’t start
- Check if the water supply tap is turned to the on position – This is a really common fault for machines that have been recently installed
- Make sure that the water fill pipe is correctly installed and is not kinked or bent – If you pull the machine out you can usually see if the pipe is stopping water from getting through to the machine
- Inspect and replace the water inlet valve if it is faulty – If you have access to an electrical multimeter you can test the continuity of the solenoid valve and replace it if it’s broken
If you need any more information on Bosch washing machine error codes, then you can go and check out our complete guide which includes every error and what they mean.
