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Bosch Washing Machine Error Code F16

Reviewed by the ApplianceErrors Editorial Team · Verified against manufacturer service documentation · Last verified: July 19, 2026
⚠ Medium Severity 🔧 Easy DIY Also shown as: E16

Door not closed — door not shut or door lock not engaging

The most common cause of the F16 error on a Bosch washing machine is laundry or object caught in the door gasket (~35% of cases); start with: check the door seal.

💰 DIY cost: $0–$80 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $120–$280 Save $120+ by doing it yourself
Bosch Washing Machine error code F16 on the display panel
How the F16 code appears on a Bosch washing machine display

What Does Error Code F16 Mean on a Bosch Washing Machine?

Door not closed — door not shut or door lock not engaging.

F16 (also shown as E16) fires when the control board fails to confirm the door interlock has fully engaged, so it blocks the cycle for safety before water can enter. The board monitors the door-lock switch circuit; if it never reads a closed-and-locked state, the code sets. Unlike F01 or E02, which point to lock timing or unlocking faults, F16 specifically means the door was never registered as latched — from an ajar door, trapped laundry, or a worn latch tongue.

Models affected: Bosch front-load washers across most series, including models such as the WAT28400UC and WGA12400UC
What owners report: Owners commonly report F16 appearing right at cycle start, often after overfilling when a garment edge slips into the gasket and prevents a solid click. The frequent quick win is reopening, tucking laundry fully inside, and pushing until a firm click; if it clicks yet still errors, the latch or lock assembly is usually suspect.

What Causes Error Code F16?

Here are the most common causes in order of frequency. Start with the most likely cause before moving to the next:

  1. 1
    Laundry or object caught in the door gasket 35% of cases
  2. 2
    Door not fully pushed closed 30% of cases
  3. 3
    Door lock mechanism worn or failed 25% of cases
  4. 4
    Wiring to the door lock faulted 10% of cases

How to Fix Bosch Washing Machine Error Code F16

🔧 Easy DIY Est. time: 10–20 min
⚡ Safety first: Unplug the appliance before opening any panels or touching internal components.
  1. 1

    Check the door seal

    Pull back the rubber gasket and remove any trapped items.

  2. 2

    Push the door firmly closed

    Push until a definite click is heard.

  3. 3

    Inspect the door lock / latch

    Look for cracks or wear on the plastic latch tongue.

    🔩 Bosch door lock assembly ($35–$80)

How to Reset Error Code F16

Clear the door gasket, close the door firmly, and restart.

Note: If the error returns after resetting, the underlying issue has not been resolved. Work through the fix steps above.

Full Bosch washer reset guide → Enter diagnostic mode → Symptom guide: Washer won't start →

Did this guide fix your appliance?

When to Call a Professional

If the door closes and clicks but F16 persists, the door lock solenoid has failed — replace the door lock assembly.

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $120–$280

Related Error Codes

F01
Water intake timeout — machine failed to fill within the expected time
⚠ Medium Severity
E02
Door lock failure — cannot lock door for cycle
⚠ Medium Severity

Same Code on Other Brands

Error code F16 appears on these other brands too. See every brand that shows F16 →

Miele logo
Miele Washing Machine F16
Water protection system activated — flood protection triggered

Find Replacement Parts

Use these links to find the exact replacement parts for your Bosch Washing Machine:

🔩
Search PartSelect
Bosch Washing Machine repair parts
🔧
Search RepairClinic
Step-by-step video guides

External links — ApplianceErrors.com is not affiliated with these retailers.

More Bosch Washing Machine Error Codes

E18 Drain time exceeded — water not draining within expected time E17 Water intake fault — fill time exceeded E04 Anti-flood device activated — water detected in base F02 Heating timeout — water did not reach the target temperature F03 Drain timeout — water did not drain within the expected time F04 Motor fault — drive motor not running correctly

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep using my Bosch Washing Machine when error F16 appears? +
You often can for a cycle or two, but the door issue behind F16 will keep interrupting normal operation until it is fixed. Plan the repair rather than ignoring the code.
What most commonly causes F16 on a Bosch Washing Machine? +
Across reported Bosch washing machine repairs, the most frequent is laundry or object caught in the door gasket (35% of cases), door not fully pushed closed (30%), then door lock mechanism worn or failed (25%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.
F16 keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +
A reset only clears the stored F16 fault; if it returns, the door problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — check the door seal, then push the door firmly closed — since the code will reappear until the root cause is resolved. This is a beginner-friendly job needing only basic hand tools.
How much does it cost to fix Bosch Washing Machine error F16? +
A DIY repair typically runs $0–$80 in parts, versus $120–$280 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $120. Expect the work to take about 10–20 minutes.
Which Bosch Washing Machine models show error F16? +
F16 is documented on Bosch front-load washers across most series, including models such as the WAT28400UC and WGA12400UC. Other units sharing the same control platform can display it too, so the fixes here generally transfer across the series.

Sources & References

Content verified against manufacturer service documentation. Last verified: July 19, 2026.

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