This guide is all about Bosch dishwasher troubleshooting E15. If you’ve seen the error on your unit’s control panel and you have no idea what it means, I’ll tell you everything you should know in this guide.
To begin with:
Bosch dishwasher E15 error indicates that your unit has water in its base or a control board glitch. To fix the error, you’ll need to remove the kick plate and the front panel, inspect the unit to identify the cause of the error, and prevent further damages to the dishwasher and your home.
I understand how much we like to praise Bosch dishwashers for being top models. But even the best series in its product line will disappoint you from time to time.
Fortunately, Bosch dishwasher E15 error isn’t difficult to fix. Thanks to easy-to-implement DIY fixes, you don’t have to call a professional technician for help.
Keep reading to learn more.
4 Reasons Why Bosch Dishwasher Display E15 Error Code
During design and testing, Bosch includes all the safety features its consumers would want in dishwashers.
Often the goal is simple:
The brand want to give you the best value for your money while guaranteeing your overall safety as a user.
So when you see the E15 error code on the control panel, it indicates that the unit has water pooling in the lower base, causing the Bosch dishwasher to stop working.
Interestingly, the unit stops functioning because the anti-flooding feature has detected water pooling and therefore disconnected the unit from functioning to keep water from flooding your kitchen’s floor.
But what exactly causes the water problem in the first place?
| Problem | Quick DIY Fix | |
| 1. | Bosch dishwasher filled with excess detergent or soap | Run an empty cycle to remove excess detergent and suds from the dishwasher. Also, make sure you add the correct amount of detergent to keep the error from recurring in the future. |
| 2. | The dishwasher tank or hose is faulty | Replace the current tank or hose with a new one to clear the E15 error on Bosch dishwasher |
| 3. | Broken fixtures causing E15 error on Bosch dishwasher | Check for any broken parts that may be causing the unit to stop working as expected and replace the parts with new ones. |
| 4. | The sump basin of the dishwasher is leaking | Tighten the screws holding the sump basin. If that doesn’t solve the problem, replace the current sump seal with a new one. |
1. The Unit Has Excess Soap or Detergent
To operate the washing cycle on your Bosch dishwasher, you need water and detergent in the right quantity. Your Bosch dishwasher automates the water supply, which means the unit can determine how much water is necessary for each cycle, which it then regulates via the entry valve.
Unfortunately, the supply of detergent or soap to the dishwasher doesn’t happen automatically. You have to do so manually, making sure you refer to the directions provided on the container to add the required amount.
Unfortunately, there are instance when you might find yourself adding more detergent or soap in the dishwasher than you should. This simple user mistake will result in excessive suds production during the washing cycle.
As a result, the suds and water will run to unintended areas of the machine. In rare instances, this may cause water to leak into the trough at the bottom of the dishwasher, activating the safety switch and producing the E15 error.
To fix this problem:
- Run an empty cycle, which is mandatory to remove excess detergent or suds from the unit.
- Check the container of the dishwashing soap and follow the manufacturer’s advice on how much soap or detergent to add to the dishwasher.
2. Faulty Water Tank or Hose
Every Bosch dishwasher has an internal water tank and a number of hoses.
The hoses provide and circulate clean or filtered water throughout the interior of the unit to clean dishes. At the same time, the hoses play the role of draining unclean water from the unit.
The water tank, on the other hand, holds water just enough for the dishwasher to run a complete wash cycle.
Unfortunately, the water tank and hoses may begin to leak, either because they’re not in the correct position or because the sealing was insufficient. Also, there’s a high chance their connections have become weak, resulting in water leakage.
In the event of a leakage, water will make way to the trough located at the very bottom of the dishwasher. Bosch dishwasher will stop and the E15 error number will appear on the control panel.
To fix this error:
Remove the access panels, examine the water tank, and look at the condition of the hoses. Doing so will enable you to locate the even the smallest leak with ease. Even if you are unable to detect a leak visually, you will be able to detect it by the sensation of water on your fingertips and pinpoint its location.
Once you’ve determined which component is causing the leak, replace it.
3. Broken Bosch Dishwasher Parts
Bosch dishwashers use a number of fittings that work together to direct the flow of water. These fixtures ensure water get to the most appropriate spots so that the machine can operate at its optimum level.
Unfortunately, even the strongest Bosch dishwasher fixtures can break with time. It’s possible that after so years of use, some parts of the unit may have already corroded – or an item may have fallen hard in the unit causing some fixtures to crack.
Broken fixtures in a Bosch dishwasher are ugly. That’s because water may seep through the cracks and breaks toward the trough at the bottom, which would set off the safety switch and subsequently generate an E15 error notice.
If a fixture within your dishwasher breaks, replacing the component is the only best way to solve the E15 error.
When it comes to any kind of component, replacing a part will normally require removing the panel adjacent to the component to get access to the element and removing any screws holding it in place.
The user manual and the technical sheet are going to be the most helpful resources for you since they will show you the placement of the fixture in a way that is specific to your model.
4. There’s a Leak in the Sump Basin
The sump basin is one of the most important parts of a Bosch dishwasher. It’s here that water collects before leaving the unit’s main compartment.
Bosch dishwasher’s sump basin is just above the trough, close to where there’s a safety switch and a polystyrene disc. A leak from the basin causes water to fill up the trough, forcing the safety switch to activate and the disc to float.
More often than not, the sump basin leaks because its seal is loose, worn, or rusted. The result is a weak and ineffective barrier that allows water to escape and trickle into the trough below.
So if you see the E15 error code on your Bosch dishwasher’s control panel, it could be an indication that there is water in the dishwasher’s bottom trough.
To fix this problem, you can try to tighten the screws holding the sump bowl in place. Doing so can solve the problem in the event that the seal is loose. However, if the leak persists, you will need to remove the sump basin and replace the sump seal with a new component.
How Do I Fix Error Code E15 on Bosch Dishwasher?
You can fix the error code E15 on Bosch dishwasher by:
1. Doing a Hard Reset
I’ve mentioned that the Bosch E15 error code indicates that there is an excessive amount of water present in the dishwasher. However, the error code may also appear on the control panel to indicate that there’s a problem with the main control board.
If the error code appeared because of a glitch in the main control board, doing a hard reset should be enough to solve the problem.
To do this, cut the power flowing to the dishwasher and wait for about 5 minutes for the error to clear. Turn the unit back on and check whether the error still displays on the control panel.
If the error code appears again, you have to drain the water that is currently sitting in the bottom of the dishwasher.
2. Tilt the Dishwasher About 45 Degrees to Clear the Error
You can also clear the E15 error code on the Bosch dishwasher by tilting the unit backwards at a 45-degree angle.
If you choose with this approach to fix the E15 error code on your dishwasher, you will first have to slide the appliance out from behind the kitchen cabinet, and then you will have to tilt it backwards at a 45-degree angle while doing so cautiously.
The water trapped in the base of the dishwasher should drain out when you tilt it, which will clear the problem code.
Before moving the dishwasher, you should make sure that the electricity and the water supply are off, and you should set something down to catch any water that may leak out.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I reset my Bosch dishwasher code after E15?
You can reset your Bosch dishwasher by unplugging the appliance and waiting for around 15 minutes before plugging it back.
Plug the unit back to the power source and select the wash program that you’d like to run. Let the unit run for about an hour without putting any dishes in.
Conclusion: Bosch Dishwasher Troubleshooting E15
Bosch dishwasher error code E15 isn’t difficult to fix. If you see this number on your dishwasher’s control panel, it means there’s a lot of water in the base.
Remember, we’ve already discussed the possible reasons for the error and the best action to take to fix the error and have your dishwasher running optimally again.