Bush Washing Machine Error Codes
Bush washing machines display error codes as E followed by a single digit – E1, E2, E3 and so on. Bush is the own-brand label of Argos (part of Sainsbury’s) and the machines have been produced by different OEM manufacturers over the years, including Vestel and Haier on different model lines. The most commonly seen Bush codes are E1 (door latch), E2/E3/E5 (drain fault), and E4 (water heater fault). Find your code in the table below.
Codes covered on this page
E2 / E3 / E5 – Drain
E4 – Water heater
E6 / E7 – Motor
E8 – Heating circuit
E9 – Heating timeout
E10 – Water inlet / pressure
Who makes Bush washing machines?
Bush is the consumer electronics own-brand label owned by Argos, the Sainsbury’s-owned retailer, and is sold almost exclusively through Argos. Bush itself does not manufacture appliances – the machines are produced under licence by third-party OEM manufacturers.
Over the years, Bush washing machines have been built by more than one OEM, with Vestel (the Turkish white goods manufacturer based in Manisa) and Haier among the manufacturers used across different model lines and production runs. This is why parts compatibility for Bush machines varies by model – components that fit one Bush model may not fit another from a different production year. Always use the full model number from the rating plate when sourcing parts rather than the brand name alone.
Display models – E codesMost Bush washing machines with a digital display show fault codes as E followed by a single digit – E1, E2, E3 and so on. Some models also display the same fault as a two-digit variant (E01, E02). Write the exact code down before doing anything else.
Older Bush models without displayOlder Bush machines without a digital display use combinations of indicator lights to signal faults. The pattern of which lights are on, off, and flashing identifies the fault category. Cross-reference with the E code table below.
Resetting after clearing a faultTo clear a Bush error code, press and hold the START/PAUSE button for approximately 5 seconds. For a deeper reset, switch the machine off at the wall socket, wait 60 seconds, and switch back on. Clearing the code does not fix the underlying fault – if the same code reappears, the fault is real and needs diagnosis.
Spare parts and repairsBush washing machines can be repaired by qualified appliance engineers, with spare parts available through Argos service channels and through independent suppliers. The correct part depends on the model number rather than just the brand – always check the rating plate before ordering.
Which Bush codes are seen most often?
Across the field, four codes account for the majority of Bush washing machine fault callouts. Knowing which they are helps narrow the diagnosis before you open anything up.
Drain fault – almost always a blocked filter
Door latch – often the interlock at 3-5 years
Heating – element or thermistor; often limescale
Motor – often worn carbon brushes after 5+ years
Bush washing machine error codes – complete reference
| Code | Fault description | Most likely causes | Check first |
|---|---|---|---|
| E1 | Door latch / lock fault – machine not detecting the door is closed and locked | Door not fully closed. Failed door interlock mechanism. Wiring fault to the interlock. Obstruction in the door seal. Broken door handle or catch. | Open and firmly close the door, ensuring nothing is trapped in the seal. Many E1 faults are resolved by closing the door more firmly. If E1 persists, test the door interlock for continuity. See also washing machine door won’t open. |
| E2 / E3 / E5 | Water not draining – machine unable to drain within expected time | Blocked pump filter (the most common cause). Kinked or blocked drain hose. Standpipe too high. Foreign object blocking the pump impeller. Failed drain pump motor. Wiring fault to drain pump. Some Bush models use E3 or E5 for drain faults rather than E2. | Clean the pump filter behind the small access panel at the bottom front of the machine. Place towels and a shallow tray in front before opening as water will flow out. See washing machine not draining and no blockage and still not draining. |
| E4 | Water heater problem – machine not heating water correctly | Failed heating element. Failed NTC thermistor. Wiring fault between element or thermistor and control board. Limescale heavily fouling the element in hard water areas. Faulty control board. | Test the heating element for continuity with a multimeter – open circuit confirms failure. Test the NTC thermistor for resistance. In hard water areas, run a descaling cycle before testing – see how to descale a washing machine in hard water areas. |
| E6 / E7 | Motor heat protector issue or motor failure | Main drive motor has overheated and the thermal protector has tripped. Worn motor carbon brushes (most common on machines over five years old). Motor winding failure. Wiring fault between motor and control board. Excessive load causing motor strain. | Allow the machine to cool fully – if E6 is caused by an overheated motor that has tripped its thermal protector, it will not reset until the motor has cooled. Reduce the load on the next cycle. With the machine unplugged, check the drum rotates freely by hand. See our carbon brushes diagnostics guide. |
| E8 | Heating circuit fault – control board not detecting correct heating circuit operation | Failed heating element. Failed NTC thermistor. Triac fault on control board. Wiring fault. | Test the heating element and NTC thermistor first – these account for the majority of E8 faults. If both test correctly, a triac or relay fault on the control board requires engineer diagnosis. |
| E9 | Heating timeout / NTC thermistor variant | Heating taking too long to reach target temperature. Failed thermistor giving incorrect reading. Limescale on element preventing efficient heating. Wiring fault. | Same checks as E8 – test heating element and NTC thermistor. Descale in hard water areas before replacing components – see limescale in washing machines. |
| E10 | Water inlet / pressure fault – water supply or pressure inconsistency | Tap closed or partially closed. Kinked or trapped inlet hose. Blocked inlet hose filter. Low mains water pressure. Failed inlet valve solenoid. Pressure switch fault. Pressure switch hose blocked. | Confirm the tap is fully open. Straighten the inlet hose. Unscrew the inlet hose from the back of the machine and clean the small mesh filter inside the inlet port. Check the pressure switch hose is not blocked or kinked. |
What are the most common Bush washing machine faults?
Drain faults are the most common cause of error codes on Bush washing machines, and the underlying cause is almost always a blocked pump filter rather than a failed pump. Coins, buttons, hair grips, and bra underwires accumulate in the filter over time. Cleaning takes five minutes and resolves most drain faults without any parts. Treat it as routine maintenance every few months regardless of whether a code has appeared.
The door interlock is a common wear point on Bush washing machines, as on most brands. It locks the door during the cycle and releases it when safe – mechanical stress over thousands of cycles eventually leads to failure. On a budget brand like Bush, the interlock is often one of the earlier components to fail, sometimes within three to five years. Replacement interlocks for most Bush models are widely available at competitive prices.
Bush washing machines on older platforms use conventional carbon brush motors. Worn carbon brushes are one of the most common causes of E6 and E7 motor codes on machines over five years old. The motor heat protector trips when the motor strains too hard, often as a result of worn brushes increasing motor resistance. Inspecting and replacing brushes is straightforward and resolves the majority of these motor codes – see our carbon brushes diagnostics guide. If brushes are in good condition, the motor itself or its tachogenerator may have failed.
Heating-related codes on Bush machines typically point to a failed heating element, a failed NTC thermistor, or limescale on either component. In hard water areas, descaling resolves a surprising proportion of heating fault codes without any component replacement. Both element and thermistor are testable with a multimeter and replaceable as DIY repairs by a confident user with the correct parts.
What should you check before calling an engineer?
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Power cycle the machine. Switch off at the wall socket, wait 60 seconds, and switch back on. Many transient codes clear on a power reset. If the same code returns consistently, it represents a real fault.
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Clean the pump filter (E2, E3, E5 drain codes). The filter is behind the small access panel at the bottom front of the machine. Place towels and a tray in front before opening. Unscrew anticlockwise, remove all debris including coins, check the pump cavity, and refit firmly. This single check resolves the majority of drain faults on Bush machines.
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Check the door closes correctly (E1 door code). Open and firmly close the door, ensuring nothing is caught in the door seal. If the door closes correctly and E1 persists, test the door interlock for continuity.
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Allow the machine to cool (E6, E7 motor codes). If the motor has tripped its thermal protector, the machine will not restart until the motor has cooled. Wait 30 minutes to an hour and try again with a smaller load on the next cycle.
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Check the water supply (E10 fill code). Confirm the tap is fully open, the inlet hose is not kinked, and the inlet filter mesh inside the inlet port is clean.
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Descale the machine (E4, E8, E9 heating codes in hard water areas). Run an empty cycle on the hottest programme with a proprietary descaler before testing or replacing the heating element or thermistor. Limescale can produce false readings without any component actually failing.
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Check carbon brushes (E6, E7 motor codes). With the machine unplugged, check the drum rotates freely by hand. If it does, inspect the motor carbon brushes and replace if worn below 10mm.
Safety notice
Always switch the machine off at the wall socket and unplug it before accessing the pump filter, opening any panels, or inspecting internal components. Never work on electrical components with the machine connected to the mains. Isolate the water supply at the inlet valve before disconnecting hoses.
A washing machine combines mains electricity with mains water – two of the most unforgiving things in a domestic setting. If you are not confident with electrical work or have any doubt about a fault, book a qualified engineer rather than attempt the repair yourself. See our full DIY appliance repair safety guide.
Certain Haier-Bush washing machines have been subject to UK safety notices – see the Haier and Bush washing machine safety notice for details. Always check the OPSS product safety database for any active recall on your appliance before continuing to use it.
Can you fix a Bush error code yourself?
Straightforward to check or fix yourself
- Cleaning the pump filter (E2, E3, E5 drain codes)
- Checking and cleaning the inlet hose filter (E10 fill code)
- Checking the door closes correctly and testing the interlock (E1)
- Replacing the door interlock on confirmed failure
- Allowing motor to cool (E6, E7)
- Power cycling to clear transient codes
- Descaling for heating codes in hard water areas (E4, E8, E9)
- Replacing motor carbon brushes (E6, E7)
- Replacing the heating element on confirmed failure (E4, E8)
- Replacing the NTC thermistor on confirmed failure
- Replacing the drain pump on confirmed failure
Requires an engineer or advanced competence
- Triac faults on the control board
- Pressure switch replacement (E10) if hose checks are clear
- Motor and tachogenerator faults if brushes are not the cause (E6, E7 if brushes are good)
- Any control board fault
- Any fault that persists after all basic checks have been completed
Bush error code pointing to a fault you cannot resolve?
If basic checks have not cleared the fault, a qualified engineer is the right next step. We cover Bush washing machine repairs nationwide with spare parts available for most models including door interlocks, drain pumps, heating elements, NTC thermistors, and carbon brushes.
Where do you find spare parts for a Bush washing machine?
Because Bush washing machines have been produced by different OEMs across model lines and production years, sourcing the correct spare part depends on the specific model number rather than the brand name. The wrong part for the wrong production year is a common mistake that adds time and cost to a Bush repair.
Spare parts can be sourced through three routes. Argos itself offers limited parts sales and arranges service through its in-warranty support channels. Independent appliance parts suppliers stock components for the major OEM platforms (Vestel, Haier, and others) that fit Bush machines from the corresponding production runs. Independent appliance engineers can typically identify the correct OEM platform from the model number and order accordingly.
Common parts including door interlocks, drain pumps, heating elements, NTC thermistors, motor carbon brushes, and inlet valves are widely available across all three sourcing routes. The key is always to use the full model number from the rating plate when ordering, not the brand or model name alone.
Looking for error codes on a different brand?
We have error code references for the other major UK washing machine brands. Use the cards below to jump to the relevant guide.
Logik error codesLogik – Currys own-brand, often shares Vestel platform with Bush.
Haier error codesHaier – some Bush models are Haier-platform.
AEG error codesFull E-code reference for AEG washing machines.
Beko error codesBeko / Blomberg error code reference and diagnostics.
Hotpoint error codesHotpoint F-code and flashing-light fault reference.
Indesit error codesIndesit fault code reference.
Want to learn appliance fault diagnosis properly?
Reading error codes is one of the more basic skills in appliance repair. For anyone wanting to develop the full skill set – whether for a career, a side business, or just to repair their own appliances confidently – the NAC National Training Centre offers practical hands-on courses and online training delivered by working engineers.
Frequently asked questions about Bush washing machine error codes
What does E2 mean on a Bush washing machine?
E2 is a drainage fault – the machine has been unable to drain water within the expected time. In the vast majority of cases the cause is a blocked pump filter rather than a failed pump. The filter is behind the small access panel at the bottom front of the machine. Cleaning it takes around five minutes and resolves most E2 faults without any parts or engineer visit. Some Bush models display E3 or E5 for the same drain fault – the diagnosis steps are identical. See also our no blockage but still not draining guide.
What does E1 mean on a Bush washing machine?
E1 indicates a door latch issue – the machine is not detecting the door is properly closed and locked. First confirm the door closes fully with nothing obstructing the seal. Many E1 faults are resolved by simply closing the door more firmly. If the door closes correctly and E1 persists, the door interlock has likely failed and requires replacement. Door interlock replacement is one of the most common repairs on Bush washing machines.
What does E6 mean on a Bush washing machine?
E6 indicates a motor heat protector issue – the main drive motor has overheated and the thermal protector has tripped, or the motor circuit has detected a fault. Allow the machine to cool fully before restarting (typically 30 minutes to an hour). On older machines with conventional carbon brush motors, worn carbon brushes are a common cause – inspect and replace if worn below 10mm. If brushes are in good condition and the issue persists, the motor itself or the tachogenerator may have failed. Reduce the load size to avoid overworking the motor on subsequent cycles.
Who makes Bush washing machines?
Bush is the consumer electronics own-brand label owned by Argos (part of Sainsbury’s) and sold almost exclusively through Argos. Bush does not manufacture appliances itself – the machines are produced under licence by third-party OEM manufacturers, with Vestel and Haier among the OEMs used across different model lines and production years. The correct OEM platform for a specific Bush machine depends on the model number on the rating plate.
How do I clear an error code on a Bush washing machine?
Press and hold the START/PAUSE button for approximately 5 seconds to clear the displayed code. For a deeper reset, switch the machine off at the wall socket, wait 60 seconds, and switch back on. Important – clearing the code does not fix the underlying fault. If the same code reappears as soon as you restart the cycle, the fault is genuine and needs to be diagnosed and repaired.
Are Bush washing machine spare parts hard to find?
No. Bush machines are based on OEM platforms (typically Vestel or Haier depending on model) that produce machines for many UK brands. Components for these platforms fit Bush machines and are available through Argos, independent appliance parts suppliers, and Vestel- or Haier-authorised channels as appropriate to the model. Common parts including door interlocks, drain pumps, heating elements, NTC thermistors, and motor carbon brushes are widely available. Always order by the exact model number rather than the brand name.
Can independent engineers repair Bush washing machines?
Yes. Bush machines use conventional OEM designs with widely available components, and qualified independent appliance engineers can repair them without difficulty. If your machine is out of warranty, an independent engineer is often a more cost-effective option than the Argos service channel. While the machine is under warranty, repair claims should be made through Argos to avoid invalidating the cover.
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