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Bosch Washing Machine Error Code F43

Reviewed by the ApplianceErrors Editorial Team · Verified against manufacturer service documentation · Last verified: July 19, 2026
⚠ High Severity 🔧🔧🔧 Advanced DIY Also shown as: E43

Drum not turning — motor jammed, worn brushes, or motor fault

The most common cause of the F43 error on a Bosch washing machine is drum jammed by a foreign object (coin, wire, etc.) (~35% of cases); start with: check for a drum obstruction.

💰 DIY cost: $10–$250 👨‍🔧 Pro cost: $180–$450 Save $170+ by doing it yourself
Bosch Washing Machine error code F43 on the display panel
How the F43 code appears on a Bosch washing machine display

What Does Error Code F43 Mean on a Bosch Washing Machine?

Drum not turning — motor jammed, worn brushes, or motor fault.

F43 fires when the control board commands drum rotation but the tachogenerator on the motor reports little or no movement, signaling a mismatch between expected and actual drum speed. The board detects the drum failing to spin up within its timing window. Unlike F21 (drum turns erratically or too slowly) or F04/E04 leak-related faults, F43 specifically flags a stalled or non-starting motor — from a jam, worn brushes, a seized winding, or lost tacho feedback preventing speed confirmation.

Models affected: Bosch front-load washers with brushed (carbon-brush) drive motors, including models such as WAT28400UC; note that machines with newer brushless EcoSilence Drive motors will not have brush-related causes
What owners report: Owners commonly report F43 appearing mid-cycle with a full, unspun load, often after hearing a hum but no drum movement. A frequent false trigger is a small item like a coin or bra wire wedged between drum and tub, so rotating the drum by hand after unplugging is the quick win many report before assuming brush or motor failure.

What Causes Error Code F43?

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

  1. 1
    Drum jammed by a foreign object (coin, wire, etc.) 35% of cases
  2. 2
    Carbon brushes worn out 30% of cases
  3. 3
    Drive motor seized or winding failure 20% of cases
  4. 4
    Motor control/tacho-generator fault 15% of cases

How to Fix Bosch Washing Machine Error Code F43

🔧🔧🔧 Advanced DIY Est. time: 1–3 hours
⚡ Safety first: Unplug the appliance before opening any panels or touching internal components.
  1. 1

    Check for a drum obstruction

    Unplug and rotate drum by hand to feel for binding.

    ⚠️ Unplug before reaching into the machine.
  2. 2

    Inspect/replace carbon brushes

    Remove and measure brushes; replace if shorter than ~10–15 mm.

    🔩 Bosch washer carbon brushes ($10–$30)
  3. 3

    Test the motor

    Measure winding resistance and tachogenerator output.

    🔩 Multimeter
  4. 4

    Replace motor if failed

    Replace the drive motor if the winding is open or shorted.

    🔩 Bosch drive motor ($100–$250)

How to Reset Error Code F43

Unplug 5 minutes and restart; if F43 returns, inspect the carbon brushes.

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 not spinning →

Did this guide fix your appliance?

When to Call a Professional

If drum, brushes, and motor all check out, the motor control board has failed.

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $180–$450

Related Error Codes

F04
Motor fault — drive motor not running correctly
⚠ High Severity
F21
Motor fault — drum not spinning or motor running abnormally
⚠ High Severity
E04
Anti-flood device activated — water detected in base
⚠ High Severity

Same Code on Other Brands

Error code F43 appears on these other brands too. See every brand that shows F43 →

Miele logo
Miele Washing Machine F43
Appliance model not programmed

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 E02 Door lock failure — cannot lock door for cycle E17 Water intake fault — fill time exceeded F01 Water intake timeout — machine failed to fill within the expected time F02 Heating timeout — water did not reach the target temperature F03 Drain timeout — water did not drain within the expected time

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep using my Bosch Washing Machine when error F43 appears? +
It is not advisable. The washing machine may still power on, but running it while F43 is active can worsen the motor fault or damage related parts. Treat it as a soon-as-possible repair.
What most commonly causes F43 on a Bosch Washing Machine? +
Across reported Bosch washing machine repairs, the most frequent is drum jammed by a foreign object (coin, wire, etc.) (35% of cases), carbon brushes worn out (30%), then drive motor seized or winding failure (20%). Check them in that order before replacing any parts.
F43 keeps coming back after a reset — what should I check next? +
A reset only clears the stored F43 fault; if it returns, the motor problem is still present. Move on to the physical checks — check for a drum obstruction, then inspect/replace carbon brushes — since the code will reappear until the root cause is resolved. This is an advanced repair involving deeper disassembly or electrical testing.
How much does it cost to fix Bosch Washing Machine error F43? +
A DIY repair typically runs $10–$250 in parts, versus $180–$450 for a professional service call, so handling it yourself saves around $170. Expect the work to take 1–3 hours.
Which Bosch Washing Machine models show error F43? +
F43 is documented on Bosch front-load washers with brushed (carbon-brush) drive motors, including models such as WAT28400UC; note that machines with newer brushless EcoSilence Drive motors will not have brush-related causes. 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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