E13
Bosch Oven
Severity: ModerateWhat Does This Error Mean?
E13 on a Bosch oven means the steam generator has a fault. This applies to Bosch steam ovens and combination steam ovens. The steam generator may be scaled up, the water tank empty, or the pump faulty.
Affected Models
- Bosch HRG Series (Steam)
- Bosch HSG Series (Steam)
- Bosch Series 6 and 8 Combination Steam Ovens
- Bosch DesignLine Steam Oven
Common Causes
- Water tank empty — no water to generate steam
- Water tank not correctly seated or connected
- Steam generator scaled up with limescale (hard water areas)
- Steam generator pump blocked or faulty
- Water fill valve faulty — pump runs but no water enters the generator
How to Fix It
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Check that the water tank is filled and correctly inserted.
Remove the water tank, fill it to the MAX line with fresh cold water, and reinsert it firmly until it clicks. E13 often appears simply because the tank ran dry during a cooking cycle.
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Descale the steam generator.
Bosch steam ovens prompt for descaling after a set number of steam hours. Run the descale programme with the Bosch descaling solution — limescale is the most common cause of E13 in hard water areas.
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Rinse the steam generator after descaling.
Run the rinse cycle after descaling to flush descaling solution from the generator. Some E13 errors clear only after the rinse cycle completes.
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If E13 persists after descaling, call a Bosch technician.
A blocked pump or faulty water valve requires professional diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I descale my Bosch steam oven?
Bosch recommends descaling after every 200 steam hours, or more often in hard water areas. The oven displays a descale reminder when the threshold is reached. In very hard water areas, descale every 3-4 months.
What water should I use in a Bosch steam oven?
Bosch recommends using filtered water or a 50/50 mix of tap and distilled water in hard water areas. This significantly reduces limescale buildup and E13 errors.