Bosch Dryer E01 — What It Means & How to Fix It
Also shown as E02 on some models.
E01 and E02 are your dryer telling you the fluff filter needs attention — almost always lint buildup or the filter not fully seated, occasionally residue left by liquid fabric softener.
What this code means
E01/E02 is the fluff (lint) filter message on Bosch dryers. Like any ventless dryer, the fluff filter catches everything your clothes shed, and when its mesh loads up, the airflow readings go wrong and the machine flags the filter. A quick clean usually settles it. Fabric-softener residue can leave a film that trips the code even when the mesh looks clean — a detail the official maintenance table calls out specifically.
Bosch's US support page groups E01 and E02 as one lint-filter message, and the European support table matches that reading, so the code name can vary by market even though the fix doesn't. Confirm what's on your display before acting.
Most likely causes
| Cause | How likely | DIY-fixable? |
|---|---|---|
| Fluff filter mesh clogged with lint | Very common | Yes — clean the mesh |
| Filter cover not snapped fully closed | Common | Yes — reseat it |
| Fabric-softener residue film on the filter | Occasional | Yes — wash the mesh |
| Airflow fault upstream that keeps loading the filter | Less common | No — technician job |
What you can try yourself
- Unplug the dryer before reaching into the filter area.
- Open the fluff filter (usually behind a flap in the door opening) and pull the mesh out.
- Rinse the mesh under the tap and squeeze it dry; if softener film is the suspect, wash gently with warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly.
- Snap the filter back in and close the flap fully — a half-open cover re-triggers the code.
- Plug back in and run a short program. If E01/E02 returns with a clean, seated filter, book service.
When to call a technician
- The filter is clean and seated but the code returns immediately.
- The dryer overheats, smells hot, or stops mid-cycle — that's beyond the filter.
- The appliance trips the breaker when it runs.
Typical professional repair cost: Cleaning the filter costs nothing. If the code returns with a clean, seated filter, a diagnostic visit decides whether it's airflow hardware or electronics — the service fee is the start of the bill.
Frequently asked questions
My filter looks clean — why does E01 keep showing?
Check the cover's seating and the mesh's fit. Bosch's support material notes that fabric softener leaves a film that isn't obvious until you wash the mesh with warm water — that film alone is enough to trip the sensor.
Does E01 mean the dryer is broken?
Usually not. Bosch lists it as the filter message to resolve before anything else. It becomes a real fault only when it keeps returning with a genuinely clean, seated filter.
Sources checked
Error meanings can vary by model. This guide was checked against the documentation above; use the manual for the model number on your own appliance when it differs.
Related Bosch codes
- Bosch Dryer E03 E03 is a drainage warning: condenser water can't get away, usually because the condensate hose is kinked or blocked, or the siphon is clogged.
- Bosch Dryer E04 E04 is the overloading warning — too much laundry for the drum to process. Split the load into smaller batches and it usually clears.
- Bosch Dryer E12 E12 is the tricky one: official US text links it to heat-pump limescale buildup on condenser models, and to overheating from restricted airflow on others. Start by cleaning the airflow path.
- Bosch Dryer E16 E16 is the door message — the machine believes the door opened mid-cycle. Close it firmly, make sure nothing's caught in the seal, and start again.
More: all Bosch dryer codes · all Bosch codes · search by symptom