Washing machine: Error code E18 F18 | Siemens Home Appliances

3 checks to get your washing machine running again.

Check and clean your pump
Check the drainage for kinks or blocking by foreign objects
Call a service professional for help

There is a code E18 showing up in your Siemens washing machine display?

This means that your washer has recognized a problem with draining the water away. And maybe you also notice that there is water in the tank.
Don’t worry this problem can be very often solved on your own. A blocked pump or kinked drain hose might be the reason for this issue.

In various Siemens washing machine models, the error might be shown by different codes. E18 and F18 faults are identical.

Start by draining the water away and checking the pump.

If such an error occurs, the first thing a user should do is to close the water supply so that no more water can flow in. Next, turn off the washing machine first with the power button, and then pull out the main plug.

To find the cause and to check the pump you must drain the water away from the tank.

Watch the video with the explanations for:

Step 1: Emergency draining - How to drain the water.
Step 2: How to check the pump.

Step-by-step tutorial – How to drain the water away which stays in the machine.

Step 1

The washing water will get very hot when washing at high temperatures.
You may be scalded if you touch the hot washing water.
Allow the washing water to cool down.
Open and remove the service flap.

Step 2

Take the drain hose out of the holder.
Remove the sealing cap and drain the water into a suitable container.
Put the sealing cap back on and press down firmly.

Warning: Water might be hot.

Step 3

Drain off all water using the drainage hose.

Step-by-step tutorial – How to check the pump.

Step 1

Carefully unscrew the pump cover.

Be aware that any remaining water may leak out.

Step 2

Take out the pump cover.

Step 3

Clean the interior of residues.
Clean the inside, the pump cover thread and the pump housing.

Step 4

The impeller in the drain pump must be able to rotate.

Step 5

Put the pump cover back on and screw back firmly.
The grip must be vertical.

Step 6

Close the service flap.

How to check the pump?

Note: To prevent unused detergent from flowing straight into the drain during the next wash: Pour 1 litre of water into compartment II and check the pump for leakage and the power of the pump. Pour 1 litre of water into the detergent drawer.

Start the drain/empty programme.

Check for any leakage.

Check whether the drainage is kinked or blocked by foreign objects.

Check the drainage of your washing machine.

An E18 error can also be caused by a blocked or kinked drain hose.

First, look to see if the drain hose is bent or kinked, which may be blocking the water flow. If that is the case, simply straightening the hose may fix the problem.

If the hose looks uncompromising, then disconnect it from the drain, unscrewing a clamp if necessary.

Follow the instructions in the video to check the drain hose.

Step 1

Turn the appliance off.
Pull out the main plug.
Check that the drainage hose has been installed correctly without any kinks. If the drain hose is bent or kinked, simply straightening the hose may fix the problem.

Step 2

Before loosening the hose clip on the siphon, place a bucket under the tap to avoid spills.

Step 3

Carefully remove the drainage hose and pour the remaining water out of the drainage hose into the bucket.

Step 4

Clean the drainage hose and the connecting piece of the siphon.
Fluff, buttons or coins can block the siphone.

Step 5

Remove the hose connector and check the connector too.

Step 6

After everything is free, reattach the drain hose and the hose clip.

How to check the pump?
Check the pump for leakage and the power of the pump, pour 1 litre of water into the detergent drawer.

Start the drain/empty programme.

Check for any leakage.

Is the washing machine still showing E:18 in the display and is not draining the water?

After carrying out one or all of these actions, your washing machine should once again be correctly pumping and draining the water. If your washing machine is still not pumping out the water, it could be due to a defective pump or other reasons. If this is the case, the washing machines needs a repair by a Siemens service expert.

Have you checked the tips and the issue isn’t solved?

If you have followed the information above but you're still having problems with your Siemens washing machine, then you might want to have it checked out by a Siemens professional.