Why Does the Door Lock Light on My Bosch Washing Machine Keep Flashing? – Troubleshooting Guide

Bosch washing machines are built with numerous sensors that can prevent issues from cropping up and to help you troubleshoot them when they happen. Error codes are displayed on the screen to narrow down the cause of most problems, but what exactly do they mean? For instance, a door lock error code could signify several potential reasons.

A flashing door lock light on your Bosch washing machine could simply mean that the child lock has been activated. However, it may also indicate a problem that requires more attention. Potential issues could be a faulty door switch, a blocked sensor, or the washing machine overheating.

This article will uncover why the door lock light on your washing machine keeps flashing. Read on to understand the different door lock error codes and what you can do to fix them.

According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 3000 children below the age of 5 have been treated in emergency rooms since 2014. Children sometimes find it tempting to push the buttons of a washing machine and crawl inside the drum, which could lead to serious injury.

Fortunately, Bosch washing machines have a child lock feature to prevent children from operating the appliance. When the child lock is activated, none of the buttons on the washing machine will work, and they will remain inoperable even after turning the appliance on and off.

Aside from being unable to press any buttons, you’ll know the child lock is active if you see a flashing key symbol or the letters CL on your washing machine’s screen.

How To Fix?

If your child lock is on, you can stop the flashing key symbol by deactivating the child lock. Deactivating it simply involves pressing a few buttons, but the procedure varies between different models.

You can deactivate the child lock by following one of the steps below:

1. Press and hold the START button for 3 to 5 seconds.
2. Press and hold the FINISHED IN and RPM buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds.
3. For models with an advanced touchscreen display, press and hold the Key symbol (with 3 sec written underneath) for 3 seconds.

You should hear a beep, and the flashing light should disappear once the child lock has been deactivated.

Read: Bosch Washing Machine Beeping And Not Spinning – How To Troubleshoot?

The door lock light can also keep flashing to alert you that the door is still open. If the light keeps flashing even after you have closed the door, there may be a problem with the door switch.

Your Bosch washing machine has a built-in door switch that detects if the door is open or closed. The switch keeps the drum from spinning while the door is open. 

If the door switch breaks or becomes clogged with debris, it may give false readings, triggering the door lock light or other error codes.

Below are other error codes you may see as a result of an open door or faulty door lock:

• E01 – Bosch WVT 52458
• E:01 – Bosch WFMC32 / WFXD52 / WFMC64 / WFXD84
• Er:01 – Bosch WFR260
• Er:02 – Bosch WFR260
• Er:03 – Bosch WFR260
• Wash – Bosch WFL246Y
• Open – Bosch WVTi 2840
• Door Open – Bosch Vertical Load Washer
• Lavar – Bosch WIA20000EE
• YES – Bosch WA Series
• Open Door Symbol – Bosch WAS32461GB

How To Fix?

Before you start troubleshooting, make sure the door is closed correctly. There might not be anything wrong with the door switch, and sometimes laundry can get trapped in the door, preventing it from locking.  

If you’re sure the door is completely closed and you still see the flashing light, you may have a dirty or broken door switch. Before buying a replacement part, see if cleaning the door switch does the trick. Debris can get caught inside the switch, causing it to trigger the error code even when the door is closed.

The door switch is the door latch, and you can clean it with a damp cotton swab or a thin brush. For stubborn dirt, use a penetrating oil like WD-40 to help agitate it.

If the flashing light remains on after cleaning the switch, you may have to replace the door switch. To find the part number for your door switch, check your owner’s manual, the Bosch website, or contact Bosch Customer Service.

If you feel comfortable replacing the door switch yourself, you can follow the instructions below:

1. Unplug your washing machine before tinkering with it to ensure safety.
2. Use a flat screwdriver to remove the plastic or wire band that holds the door seal.
3. Move the door seal to access the door switch behind the door frame.
4. Press the clips of the door switch and then slide the door switch out.
5. Unplug the door switch and replace it with the new part.
6. Put everything back in place again. 

For a visual demonstration of how to replace the door switch, watch the video below:

Bosch washing machines are built with numerous sensors that can prevent issues from cropping up and to help you troubleshoot them when they happen. Error codes are displayed on the screen to narrow down the cause of most problems, but what exactly do they mean? For instance, a door lock error code could signify several potential reasons.

A flashing door lock light on your Bosch washing machine could simply mean that the child lock has been activated. However, it may also indicate a problem that requires more attention. Potential issues could be a faulty door switch, a blocked sensor, or the washing machine overheating.

This article will uncover why the door lock light on your washing machine keeps flashing. Read on to understand the different door lock error codes and what you can do to fix them.

According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 3000 children below the age of 5 have been treated in emergency rooms since 2014. Children sometimes find it tempting to push the buttons of a washing machine and crawl inside the drum, which could lead to serious injury.

Fortunately, Bosch washing machines have a child lock feature to prevent children from operating the appliance. When the child lock is activated, none of the buttons on the washing machine will work, and they will remain inoperable even after turning the appliance on and off.

Aside from being unable to press any buttons, you’ll know the child lock is active if you see a flashing key symbol or the letters CL on your washing machine’s screen.

How To Fix?

If your child lock is on, you can stop the flashing key symbol by deactivating the child lock. Deactivating it simply involves pressing a few buttons, but the procedure varies between different models.

You can deactivate the child lock by following one of the steps below:

1. Press and hold the START button for 3 to 5 seconds.
2. Press and hold the FINISHED IN and RPM buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds.
3. For models with an advanced touchscreen display, press and hold the Key symbol (with 3 sec written underneath) for 3 seconds.

You should hear a beep, and the flashing light should disappear once the child lock has been deactivated.

Read: Bosch Washing Machine Beeping And Not Spinning – How To Troubleshoot?

The door lock light can also keep flashing to alert you that the door is still open. If the light keeps flashing even after you have closed the door, there may be a problem with the door switch.

Your Bosch washing machine has a built-in door switch that detects if the door is open or closed. The switch keeps the drum from spinning while the door is open. 

If the door switch breaks or becomes clogged with debris, it may give false readings, triggering the door lock light or other error codes.

Below are other error codes you may see as a result of an open door or faulty door lock:

• E01 – Bosch WVT 52458
• E:01 – Bosch WFMC32 / WFXD52 / WFMC64 / WFXD84
• Er:01 – Bosch WFR260
• Er:02 – Bosch WFR260
• Er:03 – Bosch WFR260
• Wash – Bosch WFL246Y
• Open – Bosch WVTi 2840
• Door Open – Bosch Vertical Load Washer
• Lavar – Bosch WIA20000EE
• YES – Bosch WA Series
• Open Door Symbol – Bosch WAS32461GB

How To Fix?

Before you start troubleshooting, make sure the door is closed correctly. There might not be anything wrong with the door switch, and sometimes laundry can get trapped in the door, preventing it from locking.  

If you’re sure the door is completely closed and you still see the flashing light, you may have a dirty or broken door switch. Before buying a replacement part, see if cleaning the door switch does the trick. Debris can get caught inside the switch, causing it to trigger the error code even when the door is closed.

The door switch is the door latch, and you can clean it with a damp cotton swab or a thin brush. For stubborn dirt, use a penetrating oil like WD-40 to help agitate it.

If the flashing light remains on after cleaning the switch, you may have to replace the door switch. To find the part number for your door switch, check your owner’s manual, the Bosch website, or contact Bosch Customer Service.

If you feel comfortable replacing the door switch yourself, you can follow the instructions below:

1. Unplug your washing machine before tinkering with it to ensure safety.
2. Use a flat screwdriver to remove the plastic or wire band that holds the door seal.
3. Move the door seal to access the door switch behind the door frame.
4. Press the clips of the door switch and then slide the door switch out.
5. Unplug the door switch and replace it with the new part.
6. Put everything back in place again. 

For a visual demonstration of how to replace the door switch, watch the video below: