Bosch Washer Er:20 and a Spin Abandoned Before It Reached Speed

What Er:20 means

The drum started to spin, shook, and the washer aborted the spin with Er:20. In both of Bosch's documents the first suspect is an unbalanced load, one too lopsided to spin safely. The second is electrical: damaged wiring to the motor drive or, on Vision machines, a loss of communication with the inverter while spinning. Mostly it is the laundry, occasionally the wiring.

Common causes of Er:20

Laundry bunched to one side, frequently one bulky item
Washer rocking because it is not level
Wiring to the motor drive failing

✓ One safe check you can try

1. Open the door and pull the laundry apart. 2. Mix large and small items, and avoid washing a single bulky piece like a bath mat or comforter alone. 3. Check that all four feet touch the floor and the washer does not rock. 4. Then try a spin-only cycle to see if it finishes.

! Why to stop there

Pushing on a spinning drum to settle it is dangerous, so always wait for it to stop.
Raising or lowering the feet without checking the nuts leaves the machine unstable.
Continuing to run unbalanced loads can wear the suspension and bearings.

Opening a panel yourself does not automatically cancel a manufacturer warranty, but it can cause accidental damage, and some manufacturers set their own service conditions. Check your warranty terms, or ask us, before deciding.

→Same appliance

Other Washer codes

dr:15Bosch Washer dr:15 Gives an Early Warning From the Power Limiter dr:19Bosch Washer dr:19 Shows That the Motor Phases Don't Match dr:20Bosch Washer dr:20 Signals a Shorted Inverter Output Stage dr:21Sustained High Voltage and Bosch Washer dr:21 dr:22Bosch Washer dr:22 Reports Failure of the Inverter's Own Temperature Sensor E:36Bosch Washer E:36 and Drain Trouble on Newer Machines dr:01The dr:01 Code on a Bosch Washer: Inverter Power Switch Shorted dr:02Bosch Washer dr:02 Indicates an Inverter Power Switch That Is Open

Er:20Er:20 questions

Why won't a single towel spin properly?

One bulky item bunches against one side of the drum and throws it out of balance. Adding a few other items spreads the weight, and the spin can then ramp up.

When should I suspect wiring instead of the load?

If the code repeats on small, evenly mixed loads and the washer is level, the drive connection is worth checking. That is the point where a technician can help.

Does Er:20 damage the washer?

Occasional unbalanced loads are normal and the machine protects itself by stopping. Repeated unbalanced spins can wear the shocks and bearings over time. Even so, fix the loading habit.