How to Fix Bosch Dishwasher E15 Error Code (Multiple Fixes!)

Not having to wash the dishes after a tiring day is one of the simplest joys in life. Unfortunately, you might have to manually clean your plates again when an E15 error code shows up—at least until you figure out how to resolve it.

Routine cleaning and maintenance should resolve your problem. However, if a faulty component is involved, you must replace it to get your dishwasher in optimal condition.

In our guide, we’ll delve into the common causes of an E15 error, and we’ll show you how to troubleshoot them.

What does the E15 error code on a Bosch dishwasher mean?

An E15 error code appears when your Bosch dishwasher detects water at the base of the unit, triggering the safety switch. When it occurs, the leakage protection system automatically activates.

To prevent an overflow and a flooded kitchen, the drain pump runs and moves water out of your dishwasher. 

Unlike an E24 drain error (e24 bosch dishwasher), an E15 code doesn’t necessarily indicate a flooded dishwasher. It could just mean that a leak in your appliance has activated the safety switch.

Located at the bottom part of your Bosch dishwasher, the safety switch is mounted above a polystyrene disk and basin. When water pools inside the disk, it floats up and trips the safety switch, which triggers an E15 error code.

How to Fix Bosch Dishwasher E15 Error Code

To fix an E15 error code on a Bosch dishwasher, unplug its power cord, and remove the safety switch, polystyrene disk, and basin.

Clean up the water at the base of the dishwasher before reinstalling the switch, disk, and basin. Additional steps might be necessary depending on the cause of the leak.

To make it easier for you to resolve an E15 error code, we’ve listed different methods that may help your issue. We will also walk you through all the steps to troubleshoot the problem.

Method	Instructions
Hard Reset	• Press the Start/Reset button on your Bosch dishwasher for at least three seconds.  • Close the door and wait for the unit to finish draining.
Tilt Method	• Unplug the dishwasher and turn off the water supply. • Move the dishwasher out of the cabinet. Tilt it back at a 45-degree angle. • Keep the dishwasher upright and reinstall it in the cabinet. Plug in the dishwasher and turn on its water supply. •Check if the error code is resolved.
Reset the Switch	• 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 rest of the screws on the panel. • Close the door slightly and slide its outer panel down to remove it. • Disconnect the control pad from the outer door panel. • Unmount the access panel and the frame support at the bottom of the unit. Then, move the insulation out of the way.  • Locate the safety switch and disconnect it.  • Remove the polystyrene disk and wipe it clean. Use a towel to clean the spill inside the dishwasher. • Put the disk back in and reconnect the safety switch.  • Reinstall the insulation. Mount the frame support and the access panel.  • Reconnect the control pad and reinstall the outer door panel. • Turn the water supply on and plug in the dishwasher.  • Check if the E15 error is resolved.

Method 1: Hard Reset

A glitch may cause an error code to appear on your Bosch dishwasher even when there is nothing wrong with it. If you suspect that a glitch is causing the issue, you can try to reset the appliance to clear the error.

Solution: Press the Start/Reset button on your Bosch dishwasher for at least three seconds. Close the door and wait for the unit to finish draining. 

You can also perform a hard reset by unplugging your dishwasher’s power cord or turning it off at the circuit breaker. 

Method 2: Tilt Method

The tilt method is a temporary fix that you can opt to do if you have no time to figure out where the leak is coming from and how to troubleshoot it.

A permanent solution will require additional troubleshooting steps. Whether your appliance has a loose connection or a dirty gasket, you must fix the underlying issue to prevent the error from recurring.

Solution: To clear an E15 error code using the tilt method, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher and turn off the water supply.
• Step 2: Move the dishwasher out of the cabinet.
• Step 3: Tilt it back at a 45-degree angle for a few minutes.
• Step 4: Keep the dishwasher upright and push it back into the cabinet.
• Step 5: Plug in the dishwasher and turn on its water supply.
• Step 6: Check if the error code is resolved.

Method 3: Reset the Switch

Aside from the tilt method, you can disassemble your Bosch dishwasher and manually clean the water pooling at the bottom of the unit to clear the code. It is more tedious, but also more reliable.

On the other hand, it is an opportunity to reset the safety switch and to look for the possible cause of the leak.

Solution: To reset the safety switch 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 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: 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: Move the insulation out of the way.
• Step 10: Locate the safety switch and disconnect it.
• Step 11: Remove the polystyrene disk and wipe it clean.
• Step 12: Use a towel to clean the spill inside the dishwasher.
• Step 13: Put the disk back in and reconnect the safety switch. Make sure everything is dry before you reinstall the components.
• Step 14: Reattach the insulation and frame support.
• Step 15: Mount the access panel and secure it with its screws.
• Step 16: Reattach the control pad to the outer door panel.
• Step 17: Mount the outer door panel. Then, reinstall the screws on both sides of the door.
• Step 18: Turn the water supply on and plug in the dishwasher.
• Step 19: Check if the E15 error is resolved.

What causes the Bosch dishwasher E15 error code?

An E15 error code can have a variety of possible causes, including a dirty door gasket, loose hose connections, and excess suds. 

If a faulty component is causing the leak in the dishwasher, it must be replaced to clear the E15 error code.

Causes	Solutions
Too Much Detergent	• To remove the excess suds, turn off the dishwasher and wait for the foam to dissipate.  • Run the hottest wash cycle on an empty dishwasher.
Dirty Gasket	• Wipe your Bosch dishwasher’s door seal with a damp soft cloth and a little bit of detergent.  • Leave the door open and let it air dry, or manually wipe it down with a dry towel.
Loose Connections	• Check all the hoses and make sure they are installed correctly. Look for signs of damage and make replacements if necessary.
Clogged Spray Arms	• Remove the top and bottom spray arms of your Bosch dishwasher. • Use a toothpick to clean the spray holes., and rinse them under running water. • Let them air dry, or wipe them with a towel.
Faulty 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. Check if the fix solved the problem.

Too Much Detergent

Adding too much detergent to your dishwasher won’t make your dishes cleaner. Unfortunately, it will only leave soapy residue all over your dishes and your appliance.

This little mistake will cause your dishwasher to produce excess suds, which can go into the nooks and crannies of your appliance. It may also leak into the trough at the bottom of your dishwasher and activate the safety switch.

Solution: To remove the excess suds, turn off the dishwasher and wait for the foam to dissipate. Then, run the hottest wash cycle on an empty dishwasher.

Tips: • Never add dish soap to your dishwasher as it will create excess suds during wash cycles. • Run a hot wash cycle to clean your dishes if you run out of detergent. Only use this for emergencies—not for regular use. • Always refer to the instructions on your detergent package.

Dirty Gasket

Food particles, dirt, or soap residue can build up on the rubber gasket of your dishwasher door. Eventually, it will prevent your door from closing properly, which will cause water to leak.

Solution: Wipe your Bosch dishwasher’s door seal with a damp soft cloth and a little bit of detergent. Leave the door open and let it air dry, or manually wipe it down with a dry towel.

Loose Connections

An incorrectly installed hose or a damaged one will cause leaks in your dishwasher. You can opt to run a cycle so it’s easier to spot the source of the leak.

Solution: Check all the hoses and make sure they are installed correctly. Look for signs of damage and make replacements if necessary.

Clogged Spray Arms

Dirt and food particles can accumulate in the spray arms of your Bosch dishwasher. During cycles, it will spritz water in the wrong direction, which may end up at the base of the unit.

Solutions: Remove the top and bottom spray arms of your Bosch dishwasher and use a toothpick to clean the spray holes. After rinsing them under running water, let them air dry, or wipe them with a towel. 

Faulty Water Inlet Valve

The water inlet valve is located in the same area as the safety switch. If this component is damaged, water may leak all over the base of the dishwasher and fill the little basin with the polystyrene disk.

Once damaged, you can no longer repair a water inlet valve. A replacement is necessary to fix the leak and clear the error.

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 the connection with 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.
• Step 26: Check if the dishwasher still leaks with water.

Frequently Asked Questions

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