Bosch Oven Error Code E118
The control watches the cooling fan's speed through a sensor, and E118 means the fan is turning too slowly, too fast or not at all. That fan protects the electronics and the cabinet, so the oven limits operation until it is happy. E218 is the same fault on the lower cavity's fan.
Also shown as: E218
Common causes
- Cooling fan motor failing or seized
- Fan speed sensor (Hall effect) disconnected or faulty
- Fan wire harness pinched or touching the motor
- Cabinet ventilation blocked, so the fan cannot move air
What to check, in order
- Listen at the top/front vents during use: the cooling fan should be audible; a silent or grinding fan fits this code.
- Check the installation vents above and below the oven are not blocked by stored items or cabinet panels fitted later.
- Reset the oven at the breaker for a minute; a fan that starts and runs cleanly may have reported a one-off stall.
- Fan and sensor testing is done from the top of the pulled-out oven — book a technician if the code returns. E218 is the lower-cavity fan on double ovens.
Clear the code and test
- Fix what the checks above found first. Clearing the code without fixing the cause only brings it back.
- Plug the appliance back in and restore its water supply if it has one.
- Run the shortest programme and watch the point where the code appeared before.
- If the programme finishes with no code, the fault is cleared. If the code returns, write it down before calling a technician — it speeds up the diagnosis.
When to call a professional
Most cases are solved by the checks above. Book a technician if any of these apply:
- The code comes back after you have run the checks and a test cycle.
- You smell burning, see sparks or scorch marks, or the breaker trips.
- Water is leaking and you cannot stop it at the tap.
- The fix needs panels opened beyond what your manual describes, or a part tested with a meter, and you are not set up for that.
When you call, give the brand, the code E118, your model number (on a label inside the door or on the back) and the checks you already ran. It shortens the visit.
Parts that may be involved
Cooling fan motorHall effect sensorWire harness
Parts are model-specific. Find your model number first — usually on a label inside the door, on the door frame or on the back — and match the part to that number before ordering.
Questions people ask about E118
What does E118 mean on a Bosch oven?
E118 means: Cooling fan supervision error — fan speed too low or too high. The control watches the cooling fan's speed through a sensor, and E118 means the fan is turning too slowly, too fast or not at all. That fan protects the electronics and the cabinet, so the oven limits operation until it is happy. E218 is the same fault on the lower cavity's fan.
Can I fix Bosch E118 myself?
Start yourself: the checks on this page cover the causes you can reach without opening the machine up. If they point to a faulty part, testing or replacing it is usually a technician job.
How do I clear Bosch E118?
Fix the cause first — clearing the code on its own brings it straight back. Then restore power and water, run the shortest programme, and watch the stage where the code appeared. If the programme finishes with no code, it is cleared.
Sources checked
- Bosch Home (US) owner support: dishwasher error codes
- Coolblue advice: Bosch and Siemens washing machine errors
The meaning and checks for this code were checked against the sources above in November 2026. Codes vary by model and region; if your manual lists a different meaning for your exact model, follow the manual.