Bosch Dishwasher Blinking Red Light? 6 Ways to Fix It

Bosch Dishwasher Blinking Red Light

Bosch dishwashers operate so quietly that a red light had to be installed to let users know that the appliance is functioning properly. But what happens when the red light starts blinking?

If you see a blinking red light, your dishwasher has detected a problem that needs to be resolved. Like error codes, the issues may vary depending on your specific model, which makes troubleshooting a bit tricky.

Luckily, you can resolve most of the issues without requesting service. Some fixes might be complicated, but you can perform them by yourself with the help of our simple, easy-to-follow repair guide.

Let’s get right into it.

Why is my Bosch Dishwasher blinking red?

A blinking red light will appear on a Bosch dishwasher when it has detected a problem preventing it from completing a cycle. 

The most common cause is a faulty door latch, but this isn’t always the case. It could be an issue with the power supply, control panel, water inlet valve, or drain pump.

If you see the red light blinking on your Bosch dishwasher, it might also be accompanied by an error code on the display. In such cases, it will be much easier to determine the root cause of the issue.

Error codes indicate problems specific to your dishwasher model. For instance, an E25 drain error might appear along with the blinking red light, which should tell you to inspect the component for clogs or signs of damage.

How to Fix a Blinking Red Light on a Bosch Dishwasher

Reset your Bosch dishwasher to resolve any power-related issues causing the blinking red light. 

If it doesn’t work, inspect your unit for other possible concerns—a broken door latch, empty Rinse Aid dispenser, or faulty component. Perform the appropriate fix to resolve the root of the problem.

Here, we will find out what causes your Bosch dishwasher’s red light to start blinking. We will also show you simple, step-by-step instructions to troubleshoot the problem.

CausesSolutions
Power Supply Issue• Press the Start button for three seconds until the dishwasher starts to reset.

• Or, power cycle the dishwasher by turning it off at the circuit breaker for a few minutes. Then, flip the switch to turn the power back on.
Not Enough Rinse Aid• Open the washer door.

• Press the latch on the Rinse Aid dispenser and pull the lid to open it.

• Pour Rinse Aid until it reaches the max line. Do not overfill the dispenser.

• Close the lid until it snaps into place.

• Wipe away any spills around the dispenser to avoid excess foam from forming.

• Run the dishwasher.
Faulty Door Latch• Unplug the dishwasher and turn off the water supply.

• Use a Phillips screwdriver to unthread the screws mounting the dishwasher to the countertop.

• Carefully pull the dishwasher about 6 to 8 inches out of the counter.

• Unthread the screws on the bracket on top of the dishwasher. Then, set the bracket aside.

• Unfasten the mounting screw on the door latch assembly. Pull the latch out of the dishwasher.

• Take the new latch and push the actuator forward using your thumbs. 

• Slide it under the tab and push it in to install it. Then, secure it with a screw.

• Open and close the door to check if it latches.

• Reattach the top bracket and its mounting screws.

• Carefully push the dishwasher back into the counter, and secure it using the screws.

• Plug the dishwasher in, and turn on the water supply. Finally, check if the red light is still blinking.
Defective Control Panel• Unplug the dishwasher and turn off the water supply.

• Open the door. Take out the screws mounting the outer door panel.

• Close the door and pull the outer panel down to remove it.

• Open the door again and unthread the four screws on top and the two screws on its sides.

• Pull out the control panel and remove the screws under it.

• Separate the control panel from its mounting bracket.

• Lift the power button to remove it from the panel. Push both tabs on the door handle with your thumbs to release it.

• Remove the four buttons on the side of the panel by lifting them off their hinges.

• Transfer the power button and door handle to the new control panel. Then, attach the four buttons on the panel.

• Align the tabs of the panel with the cutouts on the bracket. Then, push until the tabs snap into place.

• Secure the control panel to the bracket using the two screws.

• Mount the control panel to the door using the four screws on top and the two screws on the side.

• Reattach the outer door panel and reinstall its screws to secure it.

• Plug in the dishwasher and turn on the water supply. Check if the fix resolved the problem.
Malfunctioning Water Inlet Valve• Unplug the dishwasher and turn off its water supply. 

• Open the door and unthread the screws mounting the dishwasher to the counter.

• Put a towel and a container under the shadow valve to absorb spills. 

• Disconnect the water line, and loosen the hose clamp. Then, pull the drain hose from the air gap.

• Carefully pull out the dishwasher from the counter, and move the insulation out of the way.

• Loosen the clamp on the fill hose using pliers. Disconnect the fill hose, and remove the clamp.

• Use a flathead screwdriver to lift the tab and pull out the mounting bracket.

• Put a wooden block underneath the dishwasher to raise it.

• Disconnect the wire harness on the water valve and pull it out of the dishwasher. 

• Use pliers to slide the clamp on the fill hose. Then, disconnect the hose from the valve.

• Remove the bracket by sliding it down, and disconnect the water inlet hose from the faulty valve.

• Connect the water inlet hose to the new valve. Attach the fill hose and use the clamp to secure it.

• Connect the plug and reinstall the bracket. Then, mount the bracket on the dishwasher.

• Carefully remove the wooden block.

• Slide the clamp back into the fill hose. Reconnect the hose to the housing and secure the connection.

• Flip the insulation back to its original position before installing the dishwasher on the counter.

• Reinstall the screws mounting the dishwasher to the counter.

• Close the door and reinstall the water line. Reattach the drain hose to the air gap.

• Plug in the dishwasher and turn on the water supply.
Drain Pump Failure• Unplug the dishwasher and turn off the water supply.

• Use a Torx 20 screwdriver to unthread the screws on the door.

• Open the door and remove the mounting screws on the panel.

• Close the door slightly and slide its outer panel down to remove it. Then, detach the control pad from the panel.

• Unthread the screws on the access panel at the bottom of the dishwasher, and pull out the panel.

• Remove the screws on the frame support. Use a flathead screwdriver to pull out the frame.

• Take off the insulation to access the pump.

• Locate the drain pump and unfasten the harness from its retaining clip.

• Press the locking tab with a flathead screwdriver and simultaneously rotate the motor clockwise to unscrew it.

• Disconnect the plug and remove the faulty drain pump. Wipe the water on the housing before installing the new pump.

• Align the tabs on the new pump. Push it in and turn it counterclockwise to secure it.

• Connect the plug and place the harness back into its retaining clip.

• Reinstall the insulation and frame support. After, mount the access panel and secure it with its screws.

• Reattach the control pad to the outer door panel.

• Mount the outer door panel. Then, reinstall the screws on both sides of the door.

• Turn the water supply on and plug in the dishwasher. Finally, check if the pump is working.

Power Supply Issue

The first thing you need to check if you see a blinking red light on your Bosch dishwasher is its power supply. Make sure that its power cord is plugged in properly and has no damage.

If you’re experiencing power outages or fluctuations, you should reset the dishwasher to clear any bugs in the system.

Solution: To reset your Bosch dishwasher, you can press the button on the appliance, or you can power cycle it.

  • Method 1: Press the Start button for three seconds until the dishwasher starts to reset.

On most Bosch dishwashers, the Start button doubles as the Reset button, but it might be different on other models. We recommend checking your user manual if you can’t locate the reset button on your Bosch dishwasher.

  • Method 2: Turn off the power at the circuit breaker for a few minutes to let the electrical charge clear out of the dishwasher. Then, flip the switch to turn the power back on.

Not Enough Rinse Aid

The red light on your Bosch dishwasher may start blinking once you run out of Rinse Aid, which is a surfactant that boosts the drying performance of your appliance. 

Not to worry, it will stop blinking once you refill the drawer.

Although Bosch recommends Finish’s Jet-Dry Rinse Aid for regular loads and the Turbo-Dry for plasticware, you can use other products. Just avoid using homemade Rinse Aid to prevent damage to your dishwasher, which can void the warranty.

Solution: To add Rinse Aid to your Bosch dishwasher, follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Open the washer door.
  • Step 2: Press the latch on the Rinse Aid dispenser and pull the lid to open it.
  • Step 3: Pour Rinse Aid until it reaches the max line. Do not overfill the dispenser.
  • Step 4: Close the lid until it snaps into place.
  • Step 5: Wipe away any excess product around the dispenser to avoid excess foam from forming.
  • Step 6: Run the dishwasher.

Faulty Door Latch

A faulty door latch is one of the most common causes of the blinking red light on your Bosch dishwasher. If you have to slam the door shut to get it to close, it may be a sign to replace the latch.

Once damaged, your door will no longer latch and close properly, preventing you from running a wash cycle on your appliance. Simply put, you won’t be able to use your dishwasher until you replace the faulty door latch.

It is a quick fix, which you can perform by yourself in 15 minutes or less.

What you’ll need:

  • Torx 20 screwdriver
  • Phillips screwdriver
  • New door lock

Solution: To replace a broken door latch on a Bosch dishwasher, follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher, and turn off the water supply.
  • Step 2: Use a Phillips screwdriver to unthread the screws mounting the dishwasher to the countertop.
  • Step 3: Carefully pull the dishwasher about 6 to 8 inches out of the counter.
  • Step 4: Use a Torx 20 screwdriver to unthread the screws on the bracket on top of the dishwasher. Then, set the bracket aside.
  • Step 5: Unfasten the screw mounting the door latch assembly.
  • Step 6: Remove the broken latch from the dishwasher.
  • Step 7: Take the new door lock and push the actuator forward using your thumbs.
  • Step 8: Slide the new door lock under the tab and push it in to install it. Then, secure it with the screw.
  • Step 9: Open and close the door to check if the door latches.
  • Step 10: Reattach the top bracket and its mounting screws.
  • Step 11: Carefully push the dishwasher back into the counter, and secure it using the screws.
  • Step 12: Plug the dishwasher in, and turn on the water supply.
  • Step 13: Check if the red light is still blinking.

Defective Control Panel

Is your control panel functioning properly? Check if the buttons on your Bosch dishwasher are responding to your touch.

If some buttons are unresponsive, and your dishwasher isn’t responding to your inputs, you most likely have a defective control panel. 

A replacement is necessary so that you can operate your dishwasher’s controls and use its functions. Once you replace the faulty component, the red light should also stop blinking.

What you’ll need:

  • Torx 20 screwdriver
  • New control panel

Solution: To replace a Bosch dishwasher control board, follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher, and turn off the water supply.
  • Step 2: Open the door.
  • Step 3: Take out the screws mounting the outer door panel.
  • Step 4: Close the door and pull the outer panel down to remove it.
  • Step 5: Open the door again and unthread the four screws on top and the two screws on its sides.
  • Step 6: Pull out the control panel and remove the screws under it.
  • Step 7: Separate the control panel from its mounting bracket.
  • Step 8: Lift the power button to remove it from the panel.
  • Step 9: Push both tabs on the door handle with your thumbs to release it.
  • Step 10: Remove the four buttons on the side of the panel by lifting them off their hinges.
  • Step 11: Install the power button on the new control panel.
  • Step 12: Align the door handle with the opening and push it in until it locks.
  • Step 13: Attach the four buttons on the panel.
  • Step 14: Align the tabs of the panel with the cutouts on the bracket. Then, push until the tabs snap into place.
  • Step 15: Secure the control panel to the bracket using the two screws.
  • Step 16: Mount the control panel to the door using the four screws on top and the two screws on the side.
  • Step 17: Reattach the outer door panel and reinstall its screws to secure it.
  • Step 18: Plug in the dishwasher and turn on the water supply.
  • Step 19: Check if the fix resolved the problem.

Malfunctioning Water Inlet Valve

Another component that you need to inspect once you see the blinking red light is the water inlet valve. Located at the bottom of the dishwasher, it controls the flow of water into your unit.

Once this part is defective, it can cause leaks and overflows. You might see an E15 error code on the display if the valve has already caused leaks at the bottom of your appliance.

To prevent further damage to the dishwasher, as well as your kitchen floor, you must replace the water inlet valve immediately.

What you’ll need:

  • Pliers
  • 5/8” open-ended wrench
  • 5/16” nut driver
  • Phillips screwdriver
  • Flathead screwdriver
  • Wooden block
  • New water inlet valve

Solution: To replace a faulty water inlet valve on a Bosch dishwasher, follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher and turn off its water supply.
  • Step 2: Open the door of your dishwasher.
  • Step 3: Unthread the screws mounting the dishwasher to the counter.
  • Step 4: Put a towel and a container under the shadow valve to absorb spills.
  • Step 5: Use a 5/8” open-ended wrench to disconnect the water line.
  • Step 6: Use the 5/16” nut driver to loosen the hose clamp. Then, pull the drain hose from the air gap.
  • Step 7: Carefully pull out the dishwasher from the counter.
  • Step 8: Move the insulation out of the way.
  • Step 9: Slide the clamp on the fill hose using pliers.
  • Step 10: Disconnect the fill hose using a flathead screwdriver. Then, remove the clamp from the hose.
  • Step 11: Use a flathead screwdriver to lift the tab and pull out the mounting bracket.
  • Step 12: Put a wooden block underneath the dishwasher to raise it.
  • Step 13: Disconnect the wire harness on the water valve and pull it out of the dishwasher. Place a towel under the valve to absorb spills.
  • Step 14: Use pliers to slide the clamp on the fill hose. Then, disconnect the hose from the valve.
  • Step 15: Remove the bracket by sliding it down. 
  • Step 16: Rotate the water inlet hose counterclockwise to disconnect it from the faulty valve. Then, connect the hose to the new valve by rotating it clockwise until it’s secure. 
  • Step 17: Attach the fill hose to the new valve, and secure it using the clamp.
  • Step 18: Connect the plug and reinstall the bracket.
  • Step 19: Mount the bracket on the dishwasher, and take out the wooden block underneath.
  • Step 20: Slide the clamp back into the fill hose. Then, reconnect the hose to the housing and secure the connection using the clamp.
  • Step 21: Flip the insulation back to its original position before installing the dishwasher on the counter.
  • Step 22: Reinstall the screws mounting the dishwasher to the counter.
  • Step 23: Close the door and reinstall the water line.
  • Step 24: Reattach the drain hose to the air gap.
  • Step 25: Plug in the dishwasher and turn on the water supply.

Drain Pump Failure

The best way to determine if you have a bad drain pump is to check for continuity using a multimeter. If the pump has no continuity, it is malfunctioning, which means it will cause your dishwasher to drain slowly or not drain at all.

Like other defective components, a bad pump must be replaced to prevent further damage to your dishwasher.

What you’ll need:

  • Multimeter
  • Towel
  • Phillips screwdriver
  • Flathead screwdriver
  • Torx 20 screwdriver
  • New drain pump

Solution: First, test the drain pump for continuity using a multimeter. Replace the pump if it shows no continuity.

  • Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher and turn off the water supply.
  • Step 2: Use a Torx 20 screwdriver to unthread the screws on the door.
  • Step 3: Open the door and remove the rest of the screws on the panel.
  • Step 4: Close the door slightly and slide its outer panel down to remove it.
  • Step 5: Disconnect the control pad from the outer door panel.
  • Step 6: Unfasten the screws on the access panel at the bottom of the dishwasher. Then, remove the access panel.
  • Step 7: Remove the screws on the frame support.
  • Step 8: Use a flathead screwdriver to pull out the frame.
  • Step 9: Remove the insulation to access the pump.
  • Step 10: Unfasten the harness from its retaining clip.
  • Step 11: Press the locking tab with a flathead screwdriver and simultaneously rotate the motor clockwise to unscrew it.
  • Step 12: Disconnect the plug and remove the drain pump.
  • Step 13: Set your digital multimeter to the lowest settings for ohms of resistance or resistance with tone.
  • Step 14: Place the black meter lead to one of the terminals on the drain pump and the red lead to another terminal.
  • Step 15: Check for continuity.

A good drain pump will show 15 to 40 ohms of resistance, while a bad one will show little to no change on the multimeter display. If it has no continuity, replace it.

To replace a faulty drain pump on a Bosch dishwasher, follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher and turn off the water supply.
  • Step 2: Use a Torx 20 screwdriver to unthread the screws on the door.
  • Step 3: Open the door and remove the screws on the other side of the door.
  • Step 4: Close the door slightly and slide its outer panel down to remove it.
  • Step 5: Detach the control pad from the outer door panel.
  • Step 6: Unthread the screws on the access panel at the bottom of the dishwasher. Then, remove the access panel.
  • Step 7: Remove the screws on the frame support.
  • Step 8: Use a flathead screwdriver to pull out the frame.
  • Step 9: Remove the insulation to access the pump.
  • Step 10: Unfasten the harness from its retaining clip.
  • Step 11: Press the locking tab with a flathead screwdriver and simultaneously rotate the motor clockwise to unscrew it.
  • Step 12: Disconnect the plug and remove the faulty drain pump.
  • Step 13: Wipe the water on the housing before installing the new pump.
  • Step 14: Align the tabs on the new pump. Push it in and turn it counterclockwise to secure it.
  • Step 15: Connect the plug and place the harness back into its retaining clip.
  • Step 16: Reinstall the insulation and frame support.
  • Step 17: Mount the access panel and secure it with its screws.
  • Step 18: Reattach the control pad to the outer door panel.
  • Step 19: Mount the outer door panel. Then, reinstall the screws on both sides of the door.
  • Step 20: Plug in the dishwasher, and turn on its water supply.
  • Step 21: Check if the pump is working.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the red light on your Bosch dishwasher?


The red light on your Bosch dishwasher is called the InfoLight. It turns on and reflects on the floor of your kitchen to let you know that the appliance is functioning properly.

Once a cycle is finished, the red light will disappear. You will also hear a chime from your dishwasher.

However, if the red light is blinking, it indicates an unresolved problem in your dishwasher that is preventing it from running a complete cycle.

Do all Bosch dishwashers have a red light?


Not all Bosch dishwashers have an Infolight, which is a small red light that projects on the floor if the unit is running properly. Older models don’t have one.


Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *