The Bosch E61 washing machine error code indicates a fault with the door lock. This can be a problem with the door interlock, the wiring that powers the lock or a control board issue.
Most of the time this fault code will be caused by a faulty door interlock which is the part where the door latches onto. Sometimes it’s because the wires that power the door lock have burned away or have gotten damaged.
This is very similar to the F16 error code on a Bosch washing machine which also indicates a problem with the door lock.
Before you go ahead and try to fix your washing machine it’s important that you isolate it from the electrical supply so that you can work safely.
This is what you should do if your Bosch washing machine has the E61 error code:
Make sure that the door is closed
It might seem obvious but if the door on your washing machine is not closed properly, it won’t be able to lock and start the cycle.
Make sure that nothing is stopping the door from closing and that it is shut firmly so that the catch meets the door interlock.
On older washing machines you might find that the door needs to be shut with a little more force than a newer machine.
This is an indication that the door interlock is starting to fail and needs to be firmly connected to the catch so that it can engage.
It’s also fairly common for items of clothing to get wedged in between the door while it’s being closed so look out for anything creating a gap in the door.
It’s also worth mentioning that if you have overloaded the machine then the amount of pressure on the door might be causing it not to shut correctly.
Inspect the door lock wires
A door interlock needs to be powered by electricity so that it can move into the closed position which is what engages the door catch before the cycle starts.
If the wires are faulty or there are any breaks in the circuit, then the power won’t be able to reach the door interlock meaning that the machine won’t lock.
You should remove the front part of the door seal so that you can see behind the door lock where the wires are located and make sure they are not burned out.
If you have access to an electronic multimeter you can test the wires that run from the printed circuit board to the door lock for continuity.
By checking that the circuit has continuity you can make sure that power is able to travel from the printed circuit board to the door lock.
If you have confirmed that there is power going to the door lock, then it helps to narrow down the problem. If there is power going to the door lock but the machine still won’t lock the door then this would usually indicate an issue with the door interlock.
Replace the door interlock
If you think that the door is being properly closed and the door interlock is able to receive power from the control board then you should replace the door interlock.
Bosch washing machines are usually good quality but the door lock on a washing machine is a common part that will fail and it’s usually an easy and cheap repair compared to most others.
You can usually find the correct door interlock for your machine by searching online spare parts websites and using the model number of your washing machine to find the correct part.
It’s fairly easy to replace a door interlock, here’s a quick run-through of what you need to do:
- Remove the front of the door seal so that you can gain access to the back of the door interlock
- Unscrew or push in the release switch on the front of the door lock then guide the lock from out of the front of the machine
- Swap over the wires and cable connector block and then refit the new door lock to the front of the machine
- Refit the front of the door seal and then test the machine – Make sure that the door is now locking, and that the door seal is not leaking
Depending on the model number of your machine, you will either have to unscrew the door lock from the front of the machine or use the release clips that you can press in.
If the door lock was at fault, then the machine should have removed the E61 error code from the display and the cycle should begin.
Check the control board
The final fault that can cause the E61 error code on a Bosch washing machine is a faulty printed circuit board.
The control board is what supplies power to the door interlock so that it can lock before a cycle starts.
If the control board has had an electrical short circuit or has suffered from water damage, then it might not be able to send power to the door lock.
You can usually visually inspect the control board and look for any signs that it needs to be repaired or replaced.
What you should look for:
- Look for any burn marks that would indicate an electrical short circuit – These are usually black marks that you can’t wipe away
- Look for any water damage or any major discolouration that looks like water may be causing the control board circuits to fade away
- Make sure that the cables that are plugged into the control board are in good condition and have not melted
- Look at all of the capacitors on the circuit board – If any of them have bulged then they will need to be replaced
If you have the correct equipment, you can test the circuit board even further and determine if it has failed and needs to be repaired.
Due to the high cost of Bosch printed circuit boards it can sometimes be uneconomical to repair the machine. A faulty control board is one of the reasons a washing machine will be deemed beyond economical repair and will be replaced.
Summary
That’s everything that you need to know about fixing the E61 error code on a Bosch washing machine.
Here is a quick run-through of everything we have covered:
- Start off by checking that the door is closed properly and that there is nothing obstructing the door from closing – Older machines might need an extra firm push whilst closing the door to get it to engage
- Check the wires that power the door lock and make sure that they are in good condition – Look out for any burned or melted wires
- Try replacing the door interlock – Usually when the E61 error code displays it means that the door interlock has failed and needs to be replaced
- If you have made sure that the door is closed correctly, the wiring is in good condition, and you have replaced the door interlock then you should move on to inspecting the control board – Look out for any burn marks that would indicate an electrical short circuit
As mentioned earlier, if the control board has failed and needs to be replaced then you should figure out how much it will cost to repair your washing machine because sometimes it’s not economical.
If you need any more information on Bosch washing machine error codes, then you can go and check out our complete guide which has every error code on what each of them means.
