I have a strong liking for Bosch dishwasher because of their quality build and performance optimization. But sometimes they fail to work perfectly, which is why it’s important to have a Bosch dishwasher troubleshooting manual.
A manual dedicated to Bosch dishwasher troubleshooting can help you to identify and fix issues with the dishwasher. Whether the unit isn’t starting, it starts then stops, it fails to drain, it can’t run a wash cycle, or it has a red light flashing, the manual gives a quick fix.
My goal with this guide is simple.
I want you to have as simplified reference guide to make it easier for you to fix some of the most common problems associated with Bosch dishwashers.
And the best part is?
I only recommend quick DIY fixes that work, so you can save more than $250 in service repairs.
The Complete Bosch Dishwasher Troubleshooting Manual for Common Problems
The table below is a summary of the most common Bosch dishwasher problems as well as how you can fix them fast.
| Problem | Probable Cause | Quick DIY Fix | |
| 1. | Dishwasher won’t start | Lack of power supply | Plug the unit directly to the power supply, or replace the circuit breaker if blown |
| 2 | Dishwasher starts then stops | The thermal fuse may have blown | Have the thermal fuse replaced with a new one |
| 3. | Bosch dishwasher isn’t draining | Clogs in the drain valve and drain pump. | Clean the drain valve and hose as recommended. Straighten the hose if kinked |
| 4. | Bosch dishwasher unable to start cycle | The door could be open or not properly latched | Close the door and ensure it latches. Replace the door latch if current one is faulty |
| 5. | Dishwasher doesn’t have lights on the control panel | Problem with power supply or shorting in main control board | Reset the unit and ensure proper power supply. Check loose connection in main board and fix. Replace the control panel if faulty |
| 6. | Dishwasher won’t start but has red light flashing | Faulty door latch | Replace the door latch with a new one |
| 7. | Dishwasher won’t start but beeps | Faulty door latch or timer | Replace the timer if it doesn’t have continuity. Replace door latch if faulty |
| 8. | Bosch dishwasher showing error E24 | Clogs in the drain pump | Get rid of the clogs from the drain pump to clear the error |
| 9. | Bosch dishwasher showing error E15 | Leaks of the hose, sump basin, or water tank | Secure the sump basin if loose, otherwise replace it if faulty |
| 10. | Dishwasher unable to clean | Too many items loaded in, water supply issues, or detergent dispenser is faulty | Re-arrange utensils in the racks, fix water supply, and replace detergent dispenser with a new one |
1. Bosch Dishwasher Troubleshooting Not Starting
Your Bosch dishwasher won’t start because:
The power is not on. Verify that you have the dishwasher plugged into a power source. Look beneath the sink to ensure you set the power switch to ON.
The unit won’t start if you don’t latch the door. The door latch keeps the unit from leaking and sends signals to the control panel that it’s fine to start a wash cycle.
So ensure you shut the door completely, so the door switch can receive a signal from the control panel to start the dishwasher. Replace the door latch if the current one is faulty.
The unit won’ start if you select wrong settings. Check the instructions for your Bosch dishwasher to learn if your model includes a child lock or delay-starting features.
Also, the unit won’t start if there’s insufficient water supply. Ensure the water valve is open and that you have dishwasher correctly connected to the water supply in your home.
2. Bosch Dishwasher Starts then Stops
It’s likely that a blown fuse in the fuse box caused the Bosch dishwasher to stop after starting.
It’s also possible that the thermal fuse in your dishwasher has blown, which would explain why it stopped running in the midst of a cycle.
A thermal fuse is a helpful component that trips and cuts power to the appliance if it detects that the dishwasher has reached an unsafe temperature.
You should replace both the fuse in the circuit breaker and the thermal fuse in the machine as soon as possible. If you notice that the circuit breaker tripped, just reset it to the ON position to have electricity following through the device.
3. Bosch Dishwasher Troubleshooting Not Draining
Your Bosch dishwasher won’t drain properly or fail to drain altogether for a number of reasons.
Bosch dishwashers do not drain correctly due to a clogged or kinked hose. Inspect the drainpipe for obstructions. Untangle or straighten the line to restore normal water flow if you’re dealing with a kinked hose.
A faulty drain valve can stop the unit from draining. The valve, which only opens when there’s enough pressure behind them, prevents water from returning to the dishwasher’s drain. However, the valve won’t work if there are debris blocking the path, hence the unit’s inability to drain.
Our guide on Bosch dishwasher not draining should help you to troubleshoot these and additional problems that cause the unit not to drain properly or fail to drain at all.
4. Bosch Dishwasher Won’t Start Wash Cycle
Doesn’t it disappoint if a Bosch dishwasher fail to initiate a wash cycle?
More often than not, a Bosch dishwasher will not begin a wash cycle if the door is open, the latch is faulty, or if the racks aren’t in proper position.
Faulty door hinges and corrupt unit programming may can cause the unit not to begin a wash cycle or even stop in the middle of a cycle.
And if you’ve had the control lock activated, whether that was intentional or by error, your unit won’t start a new wash cycle or continue the current one. Again, insufficient water supply and water pool might also prevent a washing cycle from beginning.
Check out my guide on Bosch dishwasher not starting a cycle to learn how to fix all these problems without the help of a technician.
5. Bosch Dishwasher No Lights on Control Panel
The lack of power supply to the unit is the most common reason for the Bosch dishwasher control panel not having lights.
So:
- Reset your home’s circuit breaker to restore power flow
- Check if there are loose power cords and reconnect
- Check if there are loose connections to the main control board and fix them
In the worst-case scenario, you may have to replace your Bosch dishwasher control panel with a new one.
6. Bosch dishwasher Not Starting Red Light Flashing
If your Bosch dishwasher won’t start and there’s a red light flashing from the unit, it means the door latch has a problem.
The sensor may be faulty or you forgot to engage the door latch fully.
I recommend that you read this guide to learn more about why your Bosch dishwasher isn’t starting but has the red light flashing.
7. Bosch Dishwasher Won’t Start Just Beeps
I understand how frustrating it can be when a Bosch dishwasher can’t start but beeps instead.
As someone who owns a Bosch model myself, I can say that such an issue is quite common, and it can be quite an inconvenience. However, the cause of the beep and the failure to start are issues you can easily deal with it.
From my experience, the unit doesn’t start but beeps because of a faulty door latch, water supply problems, and selection of a wrong wash cycle.
Also, the unit may fail to start if the timer and drive motor are defective and if the selector switch loses its continuity.
8. Bosch Dishwasher Troubleshooting E24
If you have a Bosch dishwasher and you get the error number E24, it indicates that the drain line has some sort of clog or obstruction in it. Hair and food particles are the most typical causes of this problem.
In some cases, the E24 error may be an indication of a faulty filter, which means you need to have the filter replaced.
9. Bosch Dishwasher Troubleshooting E15
The error E15 on a Bosch dishwasher means there’s water accumulation in the lower base of the unit. When the E15 error message shows, the dishwasher will not operate because its anti-flooding mechanism prevents the dishwasher from flooding your kitchen floor with extra water.
Code error E15 signals a leak in the unit, which might occur in the hoses, the sump basin, or the water tank. In the worst-case scenario, the source of the leak might be a damaged fixture.
When there is a leak in the sump basin, the water will flow directly to that trough, causing the disc to float and activate the safety switch. A loose, rusted, or worn out sump basin results in the failure to build a watertight seal, which subsequently permits water to leak out and drop into the trough below.
The best course of action would be tighten the screws that are securing the sump basin in place. In the event that the leak continues, you will need to remove the sump basin and install a new component.
Also, reset the error code and run an empty cycle in the dishwasher to remove any extra suds or detergent buildup from the unit.
10. Bosch Dishwasher Problems Not Cleaning
Your Bosch dishwasher isn’t cleaning dishes because:
You Loaded Too Many Items
If you load too many items in the dishwasher, there will be insufficient space for water and detergent to reach every item when the dishwasher. Overloading also increases the likelihood that an item may protrude from a rack and keep the spray arms from rotating.
- Arrange one dish per slot and alternate forks and spoons next to one another to prevent nesting. Make sure bowls do not overlap in order to optimize access to water and detergent.
- Make sure that loaded objects do not dangle below the rack so they don’t obstruct the spray arms.
- Place big utensils on the top rack to keep them from obstructing the spray arms or overcrowding the silverware basket.
The Detergent Dispenser Isn’t Working
Detergent difficulties may also contribute to a Bosch dishwasher’s inability to clean dishes.
Always use a high-quality dishwashing detergent that has a combination of enzymes, soap, and rinse aid to break down food particles and reduce hard water stains.
Examine the dispenser and remove any residue that might clog it or prevent it from opening. After a wash cycle, if dishes are still dirty and the dispenser is still closed, there’s a high chance the dispenser is faulty and needs a replacement.
You can get a Bosch compatible dishwasher dispenser for replacement.
Water Supply Failure
Not only does a dishwasher require sufficient amounts of hot water to remove food particles and detergent residue, but also to remove food particles and rinse away detergent residue. If your Bosch dishwasher is not rinsing soap and it leaves dishes filthy, the water supply may be malfunctioning.
- Verify that your home’s hot water heater warms water to at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The water input valve of the dishwasher requires at least 20 psi of pressure to completely open and enable water to flow from the household supply. If the pressure is too low, the water input valve may not open properly, resulting in diminished water flow and cleaning ability.
- If the water intake valve exhibits apparent damage or a loss of continuity when tested with a multimeter, have it replaced.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the Most Common Bosch dishwasher Troubleshooting Codes?
The most common Bosch dishwasher troubleshooting codes are E12, E14, E15, E16, E17, E18, E22, and E23.
2. How Do I Reset a Bosch Dishwasher?
You can reset your Bosch dishwasher by unplugging it from the power supply and waiting for at most 5 seconds for the unit to reset.
3. Why is my Bosch dishwasher flashing and not starting?
The unit is flashing and not starting because you haven’t closed the door. Also, note that the dishwasher won’t start if the door doesn’t latch properly.
Conclusion
Your Bosch dishwasher troubleshooting manual may look like a big book that’s just difficult or boring to read. That’s why I’ve broken the most common problems down in this guide to make it easy to inspect your unit and fix any problem.
And the best part is?
Every solution I’ve recommended in this guide is a do-it-yourself fix. So, you don’t have to call a professional technician to come to your home, unless you don’t have the time to do the troubleshooting and repairs yourself.
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