Bosch Dryer Error E63 – Heating Element Failure
Bosch US lists E63 as a heating element failure. Check power and airflow, then have the heater circuit tested.
Unverified: this manufacturer-specific definition comes from a single source or varies by model. Confirm it with a brand-specific scan tool.
At a glance
Severity: Moderate
- Meaning
- Heating Element Failure
- System
- Bosch · Dryer
- Typical repair cost
- $0–$650
- DIY difficulty
- Hard
On its US support pages Bosch describes E63 as a heating element failure and advises unplugging the dryer, checking the element and its connections, then contacting support. On the 24-inch compact condensation dryers that means the control switched the heater on but didn't see the expected temperature rise – because the element is open, a thermal cutout has tripped or the supply to it is missing. European parts retailers describe E63 on heat-pump models as a main-electronics fault instead, so the meaning isn't identical across all model lines; treat the heater as the first suspect only on a model that actually has one. Clogged lint filters and a dirty condenser often come before a tripped cutout.
How it looks on the display
Model families & display variants
| Model family | Shows | Note |
|---|---|---|
| US 24-inch compact condensation dryers | E63 | Bosch US: heating element failure. |
| Heat-pump models without a heating element | E63 | European parts sources describe a main-electronics fault instead; a technician should confirm. |
| Some displays | E:63 | Same code with a colon separator. |
Safety first · Consult a professional
Unplug the dryer or switch off its breaker before touching the lint filter housing or the maintenance door. The heater and its wiring run on 240 volts and stay hot for a while after a cycle – element and cutout testing belongs to a technician.
- Unplug the appliance or switch off the breaker before opening any panel. Mains voltage can kill.
- Hot surfaces and hot water can cause burns. Let the appliance cool down first.
Symptoms
- E63 shows on the display and the cycle stops
- The drum turned but the air stayed cool before the code appeared
- Drying times had been getting longer beforehand
- One half of the dryer's double breaker is off
- A brief hot or burnt smell near the lower front panel
Possible causes
Ranked by how often each cause is behind this code (editorial estimate).
- Heating element coil broken (open circuit)
- Thermal cutout tripped after overheating from a clogged lint filter or condenser
- One leg of the 240-volt supply missing at the breaker or outlet
- Loose or burnt terminal on the heater wiring
- Heater relay on the control board not switching
- Temperature sensor giving an implausible reading
Fix it step by step
Unplug and check the breaker
Switch the dryer off and look at the breaker panel. A 240-volt dryer uses a double-pole breaker; if one half has tripped the drum may turn but there's no heat. Reset it once – if it trips again, call an electrician.
Tools: Flashlight
Clean the lint filters
Remove the lint filter from the door opening, clear the fluff and rinse it if a fabric-softener film makes water bead on the mesh. A blocked filter is the usual reason a thermal cutout opens.
Tools: Soft brush
Rinse the condenser
Open the maintenance door at the bottom front, release the condenser and rinse it with a shower head until the fins are clear. Let it drain and refit it with the seals seated, following the owner's manual for your model.
Tools: Towels & shallow pan
Try one heated cycle
Plug in, wait five minutes, and run a short timed cycle with a few damp towels. If the air warms up and E63 stays away, an overheating trip was the likely cause.
Have the heater circuit measured
If E63 comes back, a technician checks the element and the cutouts for continuity with a meter and inspects the terminals. An element that reads open has to be replaced.
Tools: Multimeter
How to reset E63
- Switch the dryer off and unplug it or switch off the breaker.
- Clean the lint filter and condenser, then wait five minutes.
- Restore power and start a short heated cycle.
- If E63 returns, contact Bosch customer support.
Where the parts are
- 1Lint filter
- 2Exhaust vent
- 3Heating element
- 4Condenser
- 5Motor
- 6Temperature sensor
- 7Door switch
Repair options & costs
| Repair | DIY? | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Clean lint filter and condenser, reset breaker | Yes | $0 |
| Service call and diagnosis | No | $150–$250 |
| Heating element replaced | No | $220–$420 |
| Thermal cutout replaced | No | $160–$300 |
| Control board replaced | No | $350–$650 |
Rough US estimates; technician call-out fees vary by region. Not a quote.
When to call a technician
Call Bosch customer support or an authorized technician if E63 returns after the filters and condenser are clean and the breaker is fine, or if the breaker trips again. The technician tests the element, cutouts and control relay and replaces what has failed.
Frequently asked questions
Can a dirty lint filter really cause E63?
Yes, indirectly. Poor airflow lets the heater area overheat until a thermal cutout opens, and the control then sees no heat. Cleaning the filters and condenser regularly prevents repeat trips.
Why does the drum turn if the heater has failed?
The motor and the heater run on separate circuits. The drum can turn normally while the heater gets no power or has an open coil.
My Bosch is a heat-pump model. Does E63 still mean the heater?
Not necessarily. Heat-pump dryers heat with the compressor, and European sources link E63 on those models to the control electronics. Have a technician read out the fault memory.
Can I replace the heating element myself?
Bosch recommends a technician. The element sits inside the cabinet next to 240-volt wiring and thermal cutouts that must be refitted correctly for fire safety.
Sources
- Official Bosch user documentation and support pages (facts only; wording is our own)
- Methodology: How We Build Code Pages · Data Sources We Use · Editorial Policy