Did you buy the refrigerator Bosch secondhand, lost the documents, or simply can’t read the small text on the nameplate? The model number is your “passport” of the equipment, without which it is impossible to select spare parts, download instructions or clarify the specifications. The manufacturer places markings in several places, but they are not always obvious. In this article we will show all possible locations from standard stickers to hidden plates inside the case, and also teach you how to decipher the model code in order to understand the year of manufacture and series of the refrigerator.
The peculiarity Bosch is that the company often changed the design of nameplates depending on the year of production and series. For example, for models KIN86AF30R (2018) the sign is hidden behind the vegetable drawer, and for models KGE39XW2AR (2022) - on the back wall under the compressor. We have collected current data on all popular lines, including Serie 8, Serie 6 and VarioStyleso that you do not waste time on a pointless search.
1. Standard model locations: where to look first
Let's start with the most obvious locations that the manufacturer uses for all Bosch refrigerators, regardless of the year of manufacture. These places are checked first - in 80% of cases the model number is located here.
- 📋 Sticker on the inner wall (right or left, next to the door). Usually white or silver in color and about the size of a business card. On new models (Serie 8 2023+) may be transparent.
- 🔧 Rear wall of the case (upper left corner). Often combined with a technical data plate (voltage, power). On models with the system NoFrost can be hidden under the decorative panel.
- 🧺 Under the vegetable/fruit drawer. Relevant for refrigerators with bottom freezer (KAN58A55, KIN86AF30). The number is printed on a plastic base or metal plate.
- 📄 Warranty card or instructions. If the documents have been preserved, the model is indicated on the first page (top right) or on a sticker with the serial number.
On models Bosch older than 2015 (KGN39XL20, KGE36AI40) a plate with the model could be attached on top cover of the compressor (back wall below). Be careful: if the refrigerator is not disconnected from the network, do not touch the metal parts of the compressor - it is live.
2. Hidden places: where the manufacturer hides the model in non-obvious locations
If you have searched all the standard places, but still haven’t found the model number, do not rush to panic. Bosch sometimes places markings in unexpected corners, especially in premium series (Serie 8, VarioStyle) or compact models (KUL15A50). Here's where else it's worth looking:
- 🕳️ Under the plastic cover on the back wall. On some models (KAN58A55), the plate is hidden under a removable panel, which is secured with latches. Carefully pry it out with a flat screwdriver.
- 🧊 Inside the freezer (on the wall or ceiling). Relevant for refrigerators with system NoFrost, where the sticker may be under a layer of frost. You will have to defrost the chamber.
- 🔌 On the power cord (next to the fork). Rare, but found on older models (KGN33VL30 before 2010). The number is printed.
- 📦 On the original box. If you saved the packaging, the model is indicated on the side sticker along with the barcode and serial number.
In refrigerators Bosch c touch display (KIN86AF30R, KGE39XW2AR) the model is sometimes displayed in the service menu. To get there:
- Disconnect the refrigerator from the mains for 1 minute.
- Turn it back on and for 5 seconds press and hold the buttons
SuperCool+SuperFreeze(orMenu+OKif there are no separate buttons). - In the menu, find the section
InfoorVersion—there will be a line with the model.
What to do if the model is erased or unreadable?
If the numbers are on the sticker erased, try:
- Take a photo of the plate at close range and enlarge the photo on the computer.
- Illuminate the sticker with a flashlight at an angle - sometimes fingerprints appear.
- Remove the cover (if the plate is under it) and look for duplicate markings on the inside side.
- Contact the service center Bosch with the serial number - they can restore the model using the database.
3. How to decipher a Bosch refrigerator model: what the letters and numbers mean
Model number Bosch is not a random set of characters, but encoded information about the characteristics of the refrigerator. Once you understand the structure, you can determine year of manufacture, type of cooling system, volume and even color without documentation. Here is the general diagram for most models (current since 2010):
| Position | Example | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 characters | KGN39XL20 | Refrigerator type: KG - combined (refrigerator + freezer), KI - built-in, KUL - mini-fridge. |
| 3–4 characters | KGN39XL20 | Cooling technology: GN — NoFrost, VS — VarioStyle, AF — ActiveFresh. |
| 5–6 characters | KG39XL20 | Volume of the fridge compartment in decimeters (here - 390 liters). There may be a separate designation for the freezer (for example, 58 in the model KAN58A55). |
| 7 symbol | KGN39XL20 | Color: X — stainless steel, W — white, B — black, S — silver. |
| 8–9 characters | KGN39XL20 | Year of issue (encoded): L2 — 2022, K5 — 2015, M8 - 2018. See the full table of correspondences below. |
Exception: in series models VarioStyle (for example, KIV87VS30) the first letter after the volume indicates the door design, not the color. Also note that from 2023 Bosch began to use a new year encoding system, where letters can be replaced by numbers (for example, 23 v end of the model means 2023).
Deciphering the years of manufacture (relevant for models 2010–2026):
- K — 2010, 2020
- L — 2011, 2021
- M — 2012, 2022
- N — 2013, 2023
- P — 2014, 2026
- R — 2015, 2026
4. Search for a model by serial number: when nothing helps
If the model number has been erased, fallen off or is hidden under a non-removable panel, the last option remains - use serial number (S/N). It is unique for each refrigerator and is always duplicated in several places:
- 🔢 On the same sticker where the model should be (even if the model erased, the serial number often remains readable).
- 📄 In the warranty card or receipt (if saved).
- 🖥️ In electronic form - on the website Bosch when registering the equipment (if you registered it).
To serial number find out model:
- Find the serial number (example:
FD87456321). - Go to the official website Bosch to the support section (or use BSH service).
- Enter the serial number in the search field - the system will return the model, year of manufacture and even the original instructions.
⚠️ Attention: If the refrigerator was bought second-hand, the serial number could be faked (especially for equipment from Europe, where other warranty conditions apply). Check its authenticity through the official service. Bosch.
An alternative way is to contact an authorized service center with a photo of the sticker (even if the model is not the same). read). Craftsmen can determine it by:
- 🔧 Configuration of the compressor and pipes.
- 📏 Size and location of shelves.
- 🎨 Design of the door and handles.
5. model: what prevents you from finding the number
Even knowing all the possible places, users often miss details, because of which the search for a model turns into a quest. Here are top 5 errorsthat prevent you from quickly finding the number:
- 🕵️ Look for the model only from the outside.. freezer, but many forget to look there.
- 🔍 Do not clean the surface. The sticker is covered with dust, grease or frost - wipe it with a damp cloth before inspection.
- 📏 Confuse the model with the serial number. alphanumeric code (for example, KGE39XW2AR), and the serial number - only numbers and letters in the format
XX1234567. - 🔌 Do not turn it off. refrigerator before inspecting the back wall. This is dangerous! Always remove the plug from the socket.
- 📱 Photograph the sticker at a right angle. Take a picture at an angle - this way the light falls differently, and the erased characters become more visible.
Another common problem is on used equipment. cover the original plate to hide the real year of manufacture. Signs of a fake: fake stickers on used equipment. Fraudsters may cover up the original plate to hide the real year of manufacture. Signs of a fake:
- The sticker is glued crookedly or in an unoriginal place.
- The font is blurry, does not match the photo of the official stickers Bosch.
- The serial number does not pass verification on the manufacturer's website.
⚠️ Attention: If you bought a refrigerator Bosch from an advertisement and cannot find the model, check it using the database of stolen equipment (for example, through the service Avito AntifraudFraudsters often erase the markings of stolen refrigerators.
6. How to use the refrigerator model: why is it needed in practice
The model number is not just a set of characters, you can:
- 🛒 Buy original spare parts. model KGE39XW2AR a compressor
EMBRACO EGX90HLCis suitable, and for KIN86AF30R —Secop SC14F. - 📄 Download the exact instructions. On the website Boschmanuals.libble.ru you can enter the model and get a PDF with a diagram and settings.
- 🔧 Find out compatibility with accessoriesFor example, shelves from KAN58A55 are not suitable for KGN39XL20 due to different widths.
- 💰 Check the real cost. On Yandex Market or ElectroCatalog you can see how much the refrigerator cost (this will help when buying a used one).
Also, the model will be useful if you want:
- 🔄 Update firmware (relevant for refrigerators with a display, for example, KIN86AF30R).
- 🧹 Select a detergent for NoFrost or ActiveFresh (different systems require different cleaning compounds).
- 📞 Contact the service - without a model, the technicians will not be able to prepare spare parts in advance.
☑️ What to do if you find a model
7. Features of searching for a model depending on the Bosch series
Refrigerators Bosch are divided into series, and each of them has its own nuances of marking placement. We have collected current data on the most popular lines (2015–2026):
| Series | Examples of models | Where to look for a model | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serie 8 | KIN86AF30R, KGE39XW2AR | A sticker inside the refrigerator compartment (left wall) or under the vegetable drawer. | There may be a duplicate sticker on the back wall under the compressor. The serial number often begins with FD. |
| Serie 6 | KAN58A55, KGN39XL20 | Rear wall (upper left corner) or under. plastic cover on the compressor. | On models with NoFrost the sticker may be covered with ice - defrosting is required. |
| Serie 4 | KSV33NW30R, KUL15A50 | On the bottom of the refrigerator compartment (under the bottom shelf) or on the power cord. | In compact models (KUL15A50) the sticker is small - use a magnifying glass. |
| VarioStyle | KIV87VS30, KIV39XS30 | Inside the freezer (on the ceiling) or on the removable door panel. | The model can be laser applied to a metal plate (without a sticker). |
For built-in models (KI at the beginning of the name, for example, KIR81AF30) the sticker is most often located on upper part of the case (visible when the appliance is extended) or on door frameIf the refrigerator is already built into the kitchen unit, you will have to remove it - otherwise you won’t get to the sticker. get there.
⚠️ Attention: In refrigerators Bosch for the American market (for example, series 800 or 500) the marking can differ. If your model begins with numbers (500, 800), look for a sticker on the side wall inside the chamber.
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions about the Bosch refrigerator model
Is it possible to find out the Bosch refrigerator model by photo?
Yes, but only if the photo shows a sticker with markings or unique design elements (for example, the shape of the handles, the location of the display). Upload the photo to the service Google Lens —it can recognize the model by appearance, but it works for popular series (Serie 8, VarioStyle). good.
What to do if the model is erased and the serial number too?
In this case, there are two options left:
- Remove the back cover of the refrigerator and look for the model on the compressor or pipes (requires skills).
- Contact the service center Bosch with photographs of the refrigerator (remove the compressor, door, internal shelves). The technicians will be able to identify the model by design features.
If the refrigerator is under warranty, the service center will do this for free.
How to distinguish an original Bosch sticker from a fake one?
Signs of an original sticker:
- The font is clear, without blurring (on fakes the letters often “float”).
- The colors match the branded palette Bosch (gray + blue).
- The serial number is checked on the website BSH Group.
- The sticker is glued smoothly, without bubbles or creases.
Fake stickers often lack a logo Bosch or a non-existent serial number is indicated (for example, starting with 000).
Where else can you find the model besides the sticker?
Try these methods:
- In service menu (if there is a display).
- On refrigerator box (if preserved).
- In receipt or warranty card.
- On seller's website (if bought online, the model may be in history orders).
Is it possible to find out the production date of the refrigerator from the model?
Yes, if you decipher the code correctly. In most models Bosch the year of manufacture is encoded in penultimate characters. For example:
- KGE39XL20 — L2 means 2022.
- KIN86AFK5 — K5 means 2015.
For the full table of correspondence, see the section “How to decipher the model.” For accuracy, check the data with the serial number on the page. website Bosch.