- Appliances
- Dryers
CrE
Bosch CrE on a heat pump dryer: basic care programme due
Risk level
Low
Usually safe to check without specialist tools.
Urgency
Low
Quick answer
On Bosch heat pump dryers, CrE asks you to run the basic appliance care programme after a long period of use. Clean the fluff filter, empty the condensation container and then start the programme as the manual describes.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Bosch notes that the dryer contains R290 refrigerant, which is combustible: keep naked flames and ignition sources away and leave covers closed; repairs are for trained specialists.
- Only cold drinking water goes into the crease-reduction tank; the Spanish manual warns that dirty or hot water can damage the appliance.
Safe checks you can perform
- Clean the two-part fluff filter
- Top up the crease-reduction tank if fitted
- Run the basic appliance care programme
- Move the stopper back if you drain by hose
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Diagnosis if CrE will not clear
- Do not attempt this professional task: Levelling and crease-reduction tank check
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
Diagnosis if CrE will not clear
What they doIf CrE remains after cleaning the filter and completing basic care, a Bosch customer service engineer checks the heat exchanger self-cleaning and the water system.
They must show youhow the heat exchanger and the condensation pump were checked.
In writingthe message read, the checks made, any part replaced and the outcome.
Levelling and crease-reduction tank check
What they doWhen the tank symbol stays on with a full tank, the engineer checks the dryer level and the crease-reduction system.
They must show youthe level reading and the symbol going out with a full tank.
In writingthe level measured, the adjustment made and whether the message cleared.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Clean the two-part fluff filter
- Who:
- you, once the selector is turned to Off.
- How:
- open the door, take the fluff off the door, remove the two-part filter one part at a time and clear the recess so that no fluff drops into the air channel. Open both filters, remove the fluff, wash them under warm running water and dry them before refitting.
- Result that matters:
- a fluff-free filter back in place.
- If CrE does not return when you switch on:
- the filter was the cause.
- If CrE is still shown:
- run the basic care programme.
- Evidence to keep:
- a picture of the fluff you removed and of the clean filter.
Evidence: Bosch User manual and installation instructions tumble dryer WQG24500GB
Top up the crease-reduction tank if fitted
- Who:
- you, only on dryers with crease reduction.
- How:
- the Spanish Bosch manual says to start a crease-reduction programme, take out the condensation container and pour about 180 ml of cold drinking water with the supplied jug into the front opening, up to the fill mark. Never use condensed or distilled water, additives or descaler.
- Result that matters:
- the tank symbol goes out and the container can go back in.
- If the message clears after filling:
- the tank was empty.
- If the symbol stays on:
- Bosch says to level the dryer correctly.
- Evidence to keep:
- photo of the display before and after filling.
Evidence: Bosch Manual de usuario e instrucciones de montaje secadora WQG245A0ES
Run the basic appliance care programme
- Who:
- you, following the Bosch manual.
- How:
- with the drum empty and the dryer off, clean the filter and empty the container. Pour about 1.5 litres of hot mains water into the condensation container and lock it in. Set the selector to position 1, hold Iron Dry and turn to position 4, release it to see CP1, then press Start/Reload.
- Result that matters:
- around an hour of programme ending with End and a signal tone.
- If it completes and CrE no longer appears:
- reminder handled.
- If it will not start or CrE persists after a full run:
- call Bosch customer service and describe the display.
- Evidence to keep:
- photo of the display with CP1 and with End.
Evidence: Bosch User manual and installation instructions tumble dryer WQG24500GB
Move the stopper back if you drain by hose
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- when condensation drains through the water outlet hose, the stopper moves from the top recess to the underside of the container before care. Afterwards, empty the container, put the stopper back into the top recess, lock the container in and switch the dryer off.
- Result that matters:
- hose draining works again exactly as before.
- If the stopper is back on top and the container locks:
- ready to dry.
- If the container fills up on the next load:
- check where the stopper ended up.
- Evidence to keep:
- photo of the container with the stopper fitted.
Evidence: Bosch User manual and installation instructions tumble dryer WQG24500GB
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- Appliances
- Brand
- Bosch
- Product type
- Dryers
Known code variants
- Bosch dryer CrE
- Bosch dryer CrE basic care
- Bosch secadora CrE
- Bosch Serie 6 CrE
- Bosch Series 6 CrE
- Bosch tumble dryer CrE error
- C r E
- CRE
- CrE heat pump dryer Bosch
- CrE heat pump dryer Siemens
- CrE secadora bomba de calor Bosch
- CrE secadora bomba de calor Siemens
- error CrE secadora Bosch
- error CrE secadora Siemens
- secadora Bosch CrE depósito de agua
- secadora Siemens CrE mantenimiento
- Siemens dryer CrE
- Siemens dryer CrE appliance care
- Siemens iQ500 CrE
- Siemens secadora CrE
- Siemens tumble dryer CrE error
What it means
The UK user manual for the Bosch WQG24500GB tumble dryer (2025) shows CrE after a longer period of use, asking for the basic appliance care programme (CP1) to remove light dirt deposits. The troubleshooting table also lists a soiled fluff filter, and says the automatic self-cleaning of the heat exchanger is not a fault. The Spanish WQG245A0ES manual adds an empty crease-reduction water tank on models with that function. Other models may differ. CrE alone never proves that a part is faulty.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Mediumeditorial warning
Bosch notes that the dryer contains R290 refrigerant, which is combustible: keep naked flames and ignition sources away and leave covers closed; repairs are for trained specialists.
Evidence: Bosch User manual and installation instructions tumble dryer WQG24500GB
- Lowsource verified
Only cold drinking water goes into the crease-reduction tank; the Spanish manual warns that dirty or hot water can damage the appliance.
Evidence: Bosch Manual de usuario e instrucciones de montaje secadora WQG245A0ES
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Basic care programme not yet runCommon
Bosch asks for the basic appliance care programme once the dryer has been used for a long time, to clear light dirt deposits.
Evidence: Bosch User manual and installation instructions tumble dryer WQG24500GB
- Fluff in the filterCommon
A soiled fluff filter is listed against CrE in the Bosch troubleshooting table; the fix is to clean it.
Evidence: Bosch User manual and installation instructions tumble dryer WQG24500GB
- Empty water tank for crease reductionPossible
On models with crease reduction, the Spanish Bosch manual links CrE to an empty water tank that takes cold drinking water.
Evidence: Bosch Manual de usuario e instrucciones de montaje secadora WQG245A0ES
- Self-cleaning rinse of the heat exchangerLess common
Bosch states that the automatic heat exchanger rinse is not a fault; leave the container in place and let the programme run.
Evidence: Bosch User manual and installation instructions tumble dryer WQG24500GB
Virtual technician
Does CrE still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 1
Bosch Manual de usuario e instrucciones de montaje secadora WQG245A0ES
Bosch · 2024 · manual
- 2
Bosch User manual and installation instructions tumble dryer WQG24500GB
Bosch · 2025 · manual
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