Owners of high-quality German equipment are often faced with the need to accurately identify their unit, especially when it is necessary to order an original spare part or find a specification for a specific series. Bosch refrigerator model is not just a set of letters and numbers, but a unique code that contains information about the year of manufacture, country of assembly, body color and even the type of refrigerant. Without this code, it is impossible to correctly select seals, thermostats or electronic modules, since visually identical units may have radically different internal structures.
Finding an identification number may seem like a trivial task, but in practice, owners often waste time trying to find a sticker in a non-standard place. Manufacturers of household appliances, including the BSH Hausgeräte concern, regularly change the location of information plates depending on the year of production and series. Serial number and E-Nr (product number) - this is the key data that you will need to contact a service center or when searching for documentation yourself.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the possible locations of factory nameplates, learn how to decipher complex alphanumeric codes and answer frequently asked questions that arise when operating equipment of this brand. Understanding the markings will help you avoid mistakes when purchasing accessories and save time on diagnosing faults.
Where to look for the factory sticker (nameplate) on the refrigerator
The first and most obvious place to look is the internal chamber of the refrigerator compartment. In most modern models Bosch the information panel is located on the right side wall, closer to the doorway. It can be made in the form of a metal plate with embossed data or in the form of a glossy sticker. If there is nothing on the right wall, carefully inspect the left wall or the top of the internal chamber; sometimes engineers hide the nameplate behind shelves or in niches for lighting lamps.
The second popular place is the back wall of the device case. If you pull the refrigerator out of its niche, you can often find a large sticker with technical information on the metal back panel. Serial number here can be printed directly on the metal or pasted next to the compressor. Be careful: there may be several labels on the back wall, you need exactly the one with E-Nr or FD.
⚠️ Attention: Never try to peel off the sticker with a knife or aggressive chemicals if it is dirty. The information must remain readable throughout the life of the device, as it will be required for warranty service.
The third option, which is less common, but occurs in older or built-in models, is the plinth or the inside of the door. In some series Classixx or Vario the label was hidden at the end of the door, which is visible only when fully swung open. If you do not find the number in the main places, check the technical passport of the product - it is always duplicated there model article, although it may differ from the specific serial number of your copy.
Deciphering the markings: what the letters and numbers mean
After you have found the nameplate, you will see a set of symbols, which seems chaotic at first. However, the code Bosch is strictly structured. The main attention should be paid to the field E-Nr (for example, KGN39XI306/01). The first three letters indicate the type of device (KGN - refrigerator with freezer, KSV - just refrigerator). The next two numbers indicate the amount of usable space, and the letters after them determine the design, color and type of control.
The code FD (Fabrication Date) is of particular importance, which indicates the production date. This is critical for determining parts compatibility, as the same model may have used different compressors or control boards over the years. The FD code consists of four digits, where the first digit indicates the year (including shift), and the remaining digits indicate the month and shift number. For example, the code FD 9805 will mean May 2026 (9 + 90 = 99, but the system is more complicated, usually 90 or 100 is added to the first digit depending on the decade, or simple arithmetic is used: 98 - 90 = 8, that is, 2018, but for the 2020s the rules change).
Complex mathematics of the FD code
To accurately determine the year of production using the FD code, use the rule: if the first digit is 9, then it is the 2010s (9+1=201x), if 0 or 1, then the 2020s. However, in recent years Bosch has changed the system and now often adds 100 to the first digit or uses direct counting. It is better to check the exact date using the full E-Nr on the official website.
Below is a table that helps you understand the main prefixes in the model names:
| Prefix | Device type | Description |
|---|---|---|
KGN |
Refrigerator with freezer | Combined, usually NoFrost |
KSV |
Refrigerator | Single chamber, without freezer |
GSN |
Freezer | Free-standing freezer cabinet |
KIR |
Built-in | Refrigerator for a niche |
Search for a model using documents and purchase receipt
If physical access to the sticker is difficult (the refrigerator is built into the kitchen headset, and it is impossible to remove it), documents come to the rescue. In the warranty card and operating instructions refrigerator model always written on the title page or on a special sticker with the store's seal. Please note that the receipt may contain an abbreviated name, but the full one E-Nr is often rewritten by sellers when issuing a guarantee manually.
Electronic receipts and order history in online stores are another reliable source. Go to your personal account of the store where the equipment was purchased, find the order and open the product details. The full article number that matches your model will be indicated there. This is especially true for equipment purchased in the last 5-7 years, when maintaining electronic archives has become standard.
☑️ Checking documents
It is important to understand the difference between the commercial name (for example, Bosch Serie 6) and the technical model code. To search for spare parts, a commercial name will not work; you need a technical index. If the documents indicate only commercial range, you will still have to look for a sticker on the case to clarify the modification.
Use of online services and applications
Modern technologies allow you to find out the model of the refrigerator Bosch, even if the sticker is erased and the documents are lost. The manufacturer's official website and authorized service centers have databases where you can find the desired series based on partial matching of characteristics. However, the most effective method remains the use of QR codes, which have begun to be applied to equipment in recent years.
On new models, there may be a QR code next to the sticker or instead of it. By pointing your smartphone camera, you will be taken to the support page for your specific device. There will be a complete E-Nr, production date and list of compatible accessories. There are also applications for managing a smart home (Home Connect), which, when connecting the refrigerator to Wi-Fi, automatically determine its exact model and firmware version.
⚠️ Attention: Beware of third-party sites that offer to “find out the model by photo” for money. Official Bosch support is free, and model data is open. Do not transfer your personal data to unknown resources.
Differences in the markings of built-in and free-standing models
Searching for information in built-in refrigerators Bosch often turns into a quest. Since such models are hidden behind the facade of the kitchen, the sticker is often placed in hard-to-reach places so that it does not spoil the interior inside the chamber. Check the top of the door or the space above the doorway inside the niche. Sometimes information is duplicated on a removable decorative panel.
In free-standing models, everything is simpler: the back wall and inner side panel are standard places. However, in series Piece or Maxx there were cases when the nameplate was hidden under the lower decorative grille (plinth). To get to it, remove the plastic panel from below by unscrewing several screws.
The differences also concern the recording format. Built-in models often have a prefix KIR or GIN, which immediately indicates their purpose. This is important when ordering doors or hinges, since the fastening elements for built-in and free-standing equipment are fundamentally different.
What to do if the sticker is damaged or missing
The situation when the sticker has faded, peeled off or was removed by the previous owners is not hopeless. In this case, you can try to determine the model by external signs and characteristics. Measure the exact dimensions (height, width, depth), determine the volume of the chambers, the type of defrosting (drip or NoFrost) and energy consumption class.
With these data, you can contact the official Bosch service center. Engineers can often identify the series by describing design features (button placement, handle type, shape of internal lighting). Searching by photo also helps: take pictures of the interior, control panel and appearance, and send them to the support service through the feedback form on the website.
As a last resort, if a complex unit needs to be replaced, the technician can take readings from the control board itself or markings on the compressor, although this requires partial disassembly of the unit. The compressor also has a nameplate with a number, which can be used to indirectly identify the model of the refrigerator, knowing the year of manufacture of the equipment.
Is it possible to find a refrigerator model only from a photograph of the exterior?
It is impossible to accurately determine the full E-Nr only from a photo of the exterior, since visually identical models of different years of manufacture have different internals. However, an experienced technician can determine the series and year of manufacture by the design of the control panel and handles, which will narrow the search for spare parts.
Where is the FD code on old Bosch refrigerators?
On older models (manufactured before the 2000s), the FD code could be located on the back wall next to the filter-drier or stamped on the metal label attached to the compressor. Sometimes it was painted on the inside surface of the back wall of the camera.
Why do you need to know the exact production date (FD)?
The production date is needed to determine the compatibility of spare parts. In different years, the same refrigerator model may have had different thermostats, fans, or start relays installed. By knowing the FD, you are ordering a part that is guaranteed to fit your vehicle.
What does it mean if a model code has an "E" at the end?
The letter "E" or other letters at the end of the E-Nr code often indicate a design change index or regional version. Ignoring this symbol when ordering electronics (boards, displays) may result in the part not working or working incorrectly.