E01 and E02 on a Bosch dryer both mean the lint filter is blocked and needs cleaning — the single most common cause of a Bosch dryer error code. Beyond that, Bosch documents a specific meaning for most of its other codes, from a blocked condensation drain hose (E03) to an actual heating element failure (E63), so identifying the exact code narrows things down quickly.
The full documented code list
| Code | What Bosch says it means |
|---|---|
| E01 or E02 | The lint filter is blocked and needs to be cleaned |
| E03 | The condensation drainage hose is blocked or kinked |
| E04 | Overloading — ensure adequate space above the clothes load |
| E12 | The dryer is overheating, potentially due to restricted airflow |
| E16 | The appliance door was opened during a drying cycle |
| E06, E08, E09, E24, E25, E28, E36, E90 | An electronic fault requiring an authorised technician |
| E56 | A moisture sensor problem — clean the sensor near the lint filter |
| E63 | Heating element failure |
| DR | Door is not properly closed, or a door switch issue |
| CrE | Time to run the basic appliance care program — a maintenance reminder, not an error |
| Key symbol | Child lock or control lock function is activated |
E01 / E02: Lint filter blocked
- Remove the lint filter
Usually located inside the door opening or drum entrance on Bosch condenser and heat pump dryers.
- Clear all visible lint
Peel it off by hand first, then wash the filter under running water if it feels stiff or coated.
- Let it dry fully before reinserting
A damp filter restricts airflow just as much as a lint-covered one.
E03: Condensation drain hose blocked
Bosch condenser dryers route removed moisture out through a drain hose. If this hose is kinked, crushed behind the machine, or blocked with debris, water cannot leave the unit properly and the dryer raises E03. Check the hose’s full length for kinks and confirm it has not been pinched when the machine was last pushed back into place.
E12: Overheating
This points to restricted airflow somewhere in the system rather than a heating element fault directly. Check the lint filter first (even if it did not trigger E01/E02), then the exhaust path on vented models, for buildup that is forcing the dryer to work harder and run hotter than it should.
E16 / DR: Door issues
E16 simply means the door was opened mid-cycle, interrupting the dry — restart the cycle once the door is closed again. DR is a related but distinct code meaning the door is not closing properly or the door switch itself has an issue; check that nothing (a stray sock, a bunched garment) is caught in the door seal preventing a full close.
Electronic fault codes needing a technician
E06, E08, E09, E24, E25, E28, E36 and E90 are all documented by Bosch simply as “an electronic fault/error” requiring an authorised technician — Bosch does not provide a self-service fix for these, so further troubleshooting or parts-swapping without a diagnosis is not likely to help. E56 (moisture sensor) and E63 (heating element failure) are more specific: E56 is worth trying to clean yourself first since the sensor sits right near the lint filter, while E63 generally means the element itself needs professional replacement.
CrE and the key symbol: not errors
CrE is a maintenance reminder prompting you to run the dryer’s basic appliance care program, not a fault. A key symbol on the display means the child lock or control lock feature is active — check your model’s manual for the button combination to disable it before assuming the controls are broken.
Stop and call a qualified appliance technician or electrician if you find scorched or melted wiring, smell burning, see water that has reached electrical components, or if the fault returns immediately after a repair. Never bypass a safety device — thermal fuses, door interlocks and flood switches fail for a reason, and defeating one converts a broken appliance into a fire or flood risk.
