If a Bosch WAT28400UC will not start, Bosch's General Troubleshooting lists the causes: the electric power cord has become loose or was unplugged (make sure it is securely plugged in), the program selector was turned to Off before the end of the cycle (turn the selector to a cycle), Start/Pause was not touched (touch it), the door is not closed properly (check for laundry caught and close it until it clicks), a Finish in time is displayed (the wash begins at the proper time to complete at the selected time), the Child lock is on (D symbol), or the emergency door lock release is activated. If the display shows a fault message not listed, turn the machine off, wait 5 seconds and turn it on again.
Differential
Likely causes of “Bosch 300 Series WAT28400 front-load washer has no power or a blank control panel”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A loose or unplugged power cord
What separates it There is no display because the power cord is loose or unplugged
How to confirm Plug it in securely, and check the display
- 2
The selector was turned to Off
What separates it The washer went off mid cycle because the selector was turned to Off
How to confirm Turn the selector to a cycle, and start again
- 3
Start/Pause not touched or the door not closed
What separates it Start or Pause flashes because it was not touched or the door is not closed
How to confirm Touch Start/Pause; close the door until it clicks
- 4
A Finish in time or Child lock
What separates it The wash waits or the settings will not change because of a Finish in time or Child lock
How to confirm Cancel Finish in, or deactivate Child lock, then start
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- What the display shows at this point
- Whether Start/Pause flashes or D is lit
- Whether a Finish in time is displayed
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedCheck the cord
ReversibleCheck the cord, and confirm that it is plugged in securely to the outlet, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Turn the selector
ReversibleTurn the selector, to a cycle, and the machine switches on, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Touch Start/Pause
ReversibleTouch Start or Pause, and the cycle starts once the door is closed, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Check the door
ReversibleCheck the door, and make sure that no laundry is caught, then close it until it clicks.
Reset a fault
ReversibleReset a fault, by turning the machine off, waiting 5 seconds and turning it on again.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Warranty note
- Bosch's manual warns that service calls for issues that could have been solved by using its troubleshooting table may not be covered under the warranty, so rule those out before calling. The limited warranty applies to the first purchaser for normal household use of a new appliance, and you need the E-Nr. and FD numbers from the identification plate inside the door or on the back when you call.
- After a power interruption
- In the event of a power interruption the program continues running when the power supply is restored, so a washer that stops in an outage is not lost. If it will not restart, check the selector position and the door, and make sure the cord is still plugged in after the outage.
- Parts for this problem on the WAT28400 (RepairClinic, 2026-09-20)
- operating module pro, part number 11027074, at $183.33; power cord, part number 12007660, at $60.00; display, part number 00635431, at $51.67; electric lock, part number 10000916, at $61.11.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the 300 Series WGA12400UC washer, 800 Series WAW285H2UC washer, 800 Series WGB24600UC washer.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If an unlisted fault message returns after turning off for 5 seconds, call customer service on 1-800-944-2904
- !If a service call is for something on the troubleshooting table, it may not be covered under warranty
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Bosch's own US owner-support pages for washer error codes and self-help.
Parts and list prices as shown on RepairClinic's parts search for this model number on 2026-09-20.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why won't my Bosch washer start?+
The cord, the selector, Start/Pause, the door, Finish in or Child lock.
What does Start/Pause flashing mean?+
The button has not been touched to start the cycle.
What does Finish in mean when the cycle waits?+
A delayed end time is set; the wash begins at the proper time.
What does D mean?+
D means that the Child lock is active.
Would a service call be covered?+
Bosch says calls for issues that could have been solved by its table may not be covered under warranty.
How do I reset a fault?+
Turn off, wait 5 seconds, turn on.