Bosch Washer Error Code E35 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Error code E35 on a Bosch washer means the drum has overfilled with water — there is more water in the drum than there should be. This is a serious fault because an overfull drum can leak water onto the floor and flood your laundry room. The washer stops the cycle and activates the drain pump immediately. The most common causes are a stuck-open water inlet valve or a faulty pressure switch. Do not restart the machine until the cause is found and fixed.

Affected Models

Bosch Front-Load Washers
Bosch Serie 4 washers
Bosch Serie 6 washers
Bosch Serie 8 washers
Bosch WAx series models

Common Causes

A stuck-open water inlet valve that keeps feeding water even when it should close
A faulty pressure switch not detecting that the drum is full and failing to stop the fill
A blocked pressure hose preventing the pressure switch from reading water level accurately
A main control board fault that continues sending the open signal to the water inlet valve
A siphoning effect from a drain hose that is positioned too low, causing water to re-enter the drum

How to Fix It

Turn off the water supply to the washer immediately. Locate the hot and cold shutoff valves behind the machine and close them both. This stops any further water entering the drum regardless of what the inlet valve is doing.

This is the most important first step — stopping the water source prevents flooding.
Allow the drain pump to remove the excess water. The washer activates the drain pump when E35 occurs. Wait for the drain cycle to complete before opening the door. If the machine is not pumping, try running a drain/spin cycle manually.

Check that the drain hose is not kinked and the filter is not clogged — the pump needs a clear path to drain.
Inspect the water inlet valve. With the water supply off, check whether the valve was allowing water to flow when it should be closed. A valve with a failed solenoid or debris stuck in the valve seat will stay open continuously.

Test the valve solenoid with a multimeter — 200-500 ohms is normal. An open or shorted reading means the valve needs replacement.
Check the pressure hose for blockages and test the pressure switch. A blocked hose or failed switch that never reports 'full' will allow the inlet valve to fill the drum indefinitely. Clean the hose and test the switch as described for E33.

Replace the pressure switch if it fails the manual click test.
Check the drain hose height. The drain hose must be positioned with a U-bend at 60-90cm (24-36 inches) above the floor. If the hose hangs too low, it creates a siphon that pulls water from the standpipe back into the drum after draining.

Use the drain hose support bracket included with the washer to maintain the correct height.

When to Call a Professional

E35 is a serious fault that can cause water damage to your home. Turn off the water supply to the washer before doing anything else. A stuck inlet valve or faulty pressure switch needs to be replaced before the washer is used again. A technician can test both components and make the repair in one visit. Expect $150-$300 for an inlet valve or pressure switch repair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is E35 marked as critical?

An overfilled drum can flood your laundry room. Water on the floor is a slip hazard and can cause serious structural damage if it reaches subfloor, walls, or neighboring rooms. Bosch washers are designed to drain immediately when E35 is detected, but a malfunctioning drain pump or blocked drain could make the situation worse. Always turn off the water supply when E35 appears.

What is a siphoning effect and why does it cause E35?

A siphon occurs when the drain hose is positioned too low. After the pump drains the drum, gravity pulls water back down the hose from the standpipe — like a straw dipped in a full glass. This water re-enters the drum, and the pressure switch sees the drum refilling even though the inlet valve is closed. The board sees an unexpected rise in water level and sets E35.

How much does it cost to fix E35?

Adjusting the drain hose height: free. A water inlet valve: $40-$80 for parts, $120-$220 with labor. A pressure switch: $20-$50 for parts, $80-$150 with labor. Technician diagnosis and repair: $150-$300 total.