Troubleshooting a Bosch dishwasher is easier than you think. Perhaps it’s even easier than finding the root cause of the problem.
Since your dishwasher has a number of components and systems, it’s often hard to identify the source of the issue—unless an error code appears on the display.
Not to worry, we will delve into the most common problems on your Bosch dishwasher and what causes them. With the right tools and our simple, easy-to-follow instructions, you can keep your unit in optimal condition.
What are the most common problems with Bosch dishwashers?
The most common problems on Bosch dishwashers are drainage issues caused by clogs in the filter and pump.
Filling concerns are often caused by a faulty water inlet valve or control board failure, while poor drying performance can be attributed to improper loading of dishes and incorrect settings.
Troubleshooting Bosch Dishwasher Problems
Troubleshoot Bosch dishwasher problems with proper use and care. Clear any obstructions on the drain connections and replace any internal component with signs of damage.
If you encounter drying issues, load the dishes correctly and use the right settings. Add Rinse Aid to promote better drying.
Below, we listed the most common problems you’ll encounter with your Bosch dishwasher. We will also help you identify the root cause of the problem and troubleshoot it with our step-by-step guide.
| Issues | Causes | Solutions |
| Not Draining Properly | Obstructed Drain Hose | • Unplug the dishwasher. • Check the drain hose for kinks and bent areas. • Place one end of the hose into a bucket. Straighten out any kinks and bent areas to promote better flow. • Inspect the hose for any blockages and remove any visible obstructions. • Use the drain function and let the water flow into the bucket. • Reconnect the drain hose and plug in the dishwasher. • Run a quick cycle to check if it drains. |
| Clogged Filter | • Unplug the dishwasher. Open the door, and remove the lower rack. • Locate the mesh filter at the bottom of the dishwasher. • Remove the bottom spray arm and set it aside. • Rotate the filter cap counterclockwise and lift the filter to remove it. • Remove any food residue and debris. Then, wash the filter in warm, soapy water. • Reinstall the filter. Rotate the filter cap clockwise until it is secure. • Reattach the bottom spray arm and the lower rack. • Close the door, and test if the dishwasher drains properly. | |
| Blocked Drain Pump | • Unplug the dishwasher. Open the door, and remove the lower rack. • Take off the bottom spray arm and set it aside. • Rotate the cap counterclockwise and lift the filter to remove it. • Use a sponge to soak up the water near the pump area. Wear protective gloves to prevent injuries. • Use a spoon to pry the pump cover. Then, hold the cover by the lug and pull it up. • Remove food residue and other foreign objects from the pump. • Reinstall the pump cover until it clicks. • Reattach the mesh filter, and rotate the cap clockwise to secure it. • Put the lower rack back and close the door. • Run a cleaning cycle to confirm that the dishwasher is draining properly. | |
| Clogged Air Gap | • Locate the air gap and remove its stainless steel cover. • Pull out the inner cover to access the air gap. • Use a toothpick or bamboo skewers to pull out visible food particles and dirt from the air gap. • Get a shallow bowl and put it over the air gap. • Add towels around the air gap to absorb spills. • Start a brief rinse cycle to clear any remaining dirt and food residue. • Hold down the bowl to prevent water from spilling all over your counter. • Inspect the air gap again for any obstructions. Remove them if you find any. • Reattach the inner cover until it locks into place. Then, reinstall the stainless steel air gap cover. | |
| Unremoved Garbage Disposal Drain Plug | • Disconnect the drain hose, remove the garbage disposal, and set it on its side. • Use a hammer and screwdriver to knock out the plug. Then, remove the plug. • Reinstall the garbage disposal, and reconnect the drain hose. • Run a cycle to confirm that the drain error is resolved. | |
| Overfilling with Water | 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. |
| Damaged Main Control Board | • Unplug your dishwasher and turn off the water supply. • Open the door of your dishwasher and unthread its mounting screws. • Put a towel and a container under the shadow valve to absorb spills. • Disconnect the water line and the drain hose. • Carefully pull out the dishwasher from the counter. • Tilt it back and unthread the screws on the lower panel. • Tilt the dishwasher on the left side and move the insulation out of the way. • Use a flathead screwdriver to push the tab on the control board. Then, remove the cap. • Remove the harness from the retainers and disconnect all the electrical plugs. • Open the cap on the new control board and connect it to all the electrical plugs. • Place the harness in the retainers to secure the wires. Then, reattach the cap until it locks. • Slide the control board into the opening until it snaps into place. • Flip the insulation back into its original position and keep the dishwasher upright. • Tilt the dishwasher back and mount the lower panel. • Move the unit back into the counter, and reinstall its mounting screws. • Reinstall the water line and the drain hose. • Plug in the dishwasher and turn on the water supply. Check if it still overflows. | |
| Doesn’t Fill with Water | Kinked or Bent Hose | • Inspect the hose for kinks and bent areas, then straighten them out if necessary. • If you find signs of damage like tears and holes, replace the hose. |
| Low Water Pressure | • Confirm that you have adequate water pressure to fill your Bosch dishwasher. • Fill a bucket with water directly from the tap. About 10 liters of water per minute should flow out of the tap. • If the bucket is slow to fill, we recommend contacting a licensed plumber. | |
| Clogged Filter | • Unplug the dishwasher. Open the door, and remove the lower rack. • Locate the mesh filter at the bottom of the dishwasher. • Remove the bottom spray arm and set it aside. • Rotate the filter cap counterclockwise and lift the filter to remove it. • Remove any food residue and debris. Then, wash the filter in warm, soapy water. • Reinstall the filter. Rotate the filter cap clockwise until it is secure. • Reattach the bottom spray arm and the lower rack. • Close the door, and test if the dishwasher drains properly. | |
| Not Drying Dishes | Not Enough Rinse Aid | • Open the Rinse Aid dispenser. • Pour Rinse Aid until it reaches the max line. Do not overfill the dispenser. • Close the lid until it snaps into place. Then, clean any excess product around the dispenser. |
| Incorrect Settings | • Turn on your Bosch dishwasher. • Select AutoAir or Crystal Dry. • Select the Sanitize option if available. • Press Start. | |
| Overcrowding | • Load the dishes into the dishwasher on the correct rack. • Place small plates, bowls, glasses, and cups on the top rack of the dishwasher. • Keep them upside down and tilted to an angle. • Load large bowls, serving plates, and other dinnerware on the bottom rack. • Dishes must face inward while larger bowls stay upside down to promote better airflow. • Add a single item to each compartment in the silverware basket, alternating between spoons, forks, and knives. |
Not Draining Properly
Is dirty water pooling at the bottom of your Bosch dishwasher? When this occurs, you will see an E24 error code on the display, which indicates that you have a draining problem.
Your dishwasher won’t drain properly if there’s an obstruction in the drain hose, filter, water pump, or air gap. Wherever the clog might be, a good clean should be enough to resolve your draining problem.
Cleaning your unit regularly can help prevent dirt and food residue from clogging your dishwasher. It’s an easy way to avoid a drain error.
Obstructed Drain Hose
Located at the back of your Bosch dishwasher, the drain hose connects to the sink or disposal, where water drains at the end of the cycle. Large food particles and dirt may accumulate in the hose, preventing it from draining properly.
Solution: To clean an obstructed drain hose on a Bosch dishwasher, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher.
- Step 2: Check the drain hose for kinks and bent areas.
- Step 3: Place one end of the hose into a bucket. Straighten out any kinks and bent areas to promote better flow.
- Step 4: Inspect the hose for any blockages and remove any visible obstructions.
- Step 5: Use the drain function and let the water flow into the bucket.
- Step 6: Reconnect the drain hose and plug in the dishwasher.
- Step 7: Run a quick cycle to check if it drains.
Clogged Filter
The first thing you need to check if your Bosch dishwasher has a drainage problem is its filter. Located at the bottom of the unit, the filter traps food residue and prevents them from soiling your newly cleaned dishes.
Believe it or not, it also prevents your drain from getting clogged. However, if you don’t clean it as often as you should, it will get blocked by dirt and food residue.
According to Bosch, you should clean the filter every 2 to 3 months to keep your dishwasher running in optimal condition.
Solution: To clean your Bosch dishwasher filter, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher and open the door.
- Step 2: Remove the lower rack.
- Step 3: Locate the mesh filter at the bottom of the dishwasher.
- Step 4: Remove the bottom spray arm and set it aside.
- Step 5: Rotate the cap counterclockwise and lift the filter to remove it.
- Step 6: Remove any food residue and debris. Then, wash the filter in warm, soapy water.
- Step 7: Reinstall the filter. Rotate the filter cap clockwise until it is secure.
- Step 8: Reattach the bottom spray arm.
- Step 9: Reinstall the lower rack and close the door.
- Step 10: Plug the dishwasher and test if it drains properly.
| Cleaning Intervals: • 3 to 6 times per year if you rinse the dishes before loading them • 4 to 12 times per year if you only scrape the dishes before loading them • 12 times per year if your household has hard water |
Blocked Drain Pump
A clogged drain pump is a potential cause of draining issues in a Bosch dishwasher. If it is blocked, it can’t pump water out of your unit.
Instead, water might flow back into your dishwasher and pool at the bottom. In some cases, you might notice gurgling sounds and unpleasant smells coming from your appliance.
Solution: To clean a blocked drain pump on a Bosch dishwasher, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher and open the door.
- Step 2: Remove the lower rack.
- Step 3: Remove the bottom spray arm and set it aside.
- Step 4: Rotate the cap counterclockwise and lift the filter to remove it.
- Step 5: Use a sponge to soak up the water near the pump area.
- Step 6: Wear protective gloves to prevent potential injuries.
- Step 7: Use a spoon to pry the pump cover.
- Step 8: Hold the cover by the lug and pull it up.
On some models, the cover is secured with a screw, which you can unthread using a manual screwdriver to remove the cover. Do not use an electric screwdriver to remove it.
- Step 9: Remove food residue and other foreign objects from the pump.
- Step 10: Reinstall the pump cover until it clicks.
- Step 11: Reattach the mesh filter, and rotate the cap clockwise to secure it.
- Step 12: Put the lower rack back and close the door.
- Step 13: Plug in the dishwasher. Run a cleaning cycle to confirm that it is draining properly.
Clogged Air Gap
Another area that can cause a drainage problem when clogged is the air gap. It is a cylindrical fitting that connects the dishwasher to the sink drain and prevents dirty water from flowing back into the unit.
If your Bosch dishwasher has an air gap, you might find it at your sink next to the faucet. It can get clogged with dirt, food residue, and broken items, which will prevent the dishwasher water from draining.
Solution: To clean a clogged air gap, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Locate the air gap and remove its stainless steel cover.
- Step 2: Pull out the inner cover to access the air gap.
- Step 3: Use a toothpick or bamboo skewers to pull out visible food particles and dirt from the air gap.
- Step 4: Get a shallow bowl and put it over the air gap so that water will flow into the sink instead of the counter. Add towels around the air gap to absorb spills.
- Step 5: Run a brief rinse cycle to clear any remaining dirt and food residue.
- Step 6: Wait for the water to flow out of the air gap. Hold down the bowl to prevent water from spilling all over your counter.
- Step 7: Inspect the air gap again for any obstructions. Remove them if you find any.
- Step 8: Reattach the inner cover until it locks into place.
- Step 9: Reinstall the stainless steel air gap cover.
| Quick Note: • Not all Bosch dishwashers are connected to an air gap. This chrome or stainless steel fitting is usually located near the faucet or at the back of the sink. • If your dishwasher isn’t connected to one, look for another possible cause for your drain error. |
Unremoved Garbage Disposal Drain Plug
Did you recently install a garbage disposal? If a drain error appears right after you installed a new garbage disposal system, you most likely forgot to remove the drain plug.
Located inside the hole where the hose connects, the drain plug is a small rubber plug that covers the drain. The dishwasher won’t drain properly if you don’t remove it.
Lucky for you, it is a 60-second fix, which you can perform by yourself using a hammer and a screwdriver.
Solution: To remove a garbage disposal drain plug, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Disconnect the drain hose.
- Step 2: Remove the garbage disposal and set it on its side.
- Step 3: Use a hammer and screwdriver to knock out the plug.
- Step 4: Remove the plug.
- Step 5: Reinstall the garbage disposal.
- Step 6: Reconnect the drain hose.
- Step 7: Run a cycle to confirm that the drain error is resolved.
Overfilling with Water
If your Bosch dishwasher fills with water even when it’s off, its water inlet valve or its main control board must be malfunctioning.
Water may pool at the bottom of your appliance when these components are faulty. However, the opposite can also happen and cause your dishwasher to fill slowly or not fill at all.
Troubleshoot your dishwasher as soon as you notice the filling issue. Keep the water supply off while you’re figuring out the problem to prevent leaks.
Faulty Water Inlet Valve
A water inlet valve controls the flow of water into the dishwasher. If you see cracks on the valve, it will cause water to leak into your appliance even when it is off.
You’ll have to replace the valve to prevent your dishwasher from getting flooded and leaking all over your floor.
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 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 when it’s off.
Damaged Main Control Board
The main control board is responsible for most functions on your Bosch dishwasher—including filling. If your unit is filling with too much water, a defective control board might be causing it.
You can’t repair a defective control board, but you can replace it with a new component. It will cost far less than buying a new dishwasher.
What you’ll need:
- Pliers
- 5/8” open-ended wrench
- 5/16” nut driver
- Phillips screwdriver
- Flathead screwdriver
- Wooden block
- New main control board
Solution: To replace a Bosch dishwasher main control board, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Unplug your dishwasher and turn off the 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: Tilt it back to access the bottom part of the unit.
- Step 9: Unthread the screws on the lower panel.
- Step 10: Tilt the dishwasher on the left side. Move the insulation out of the way.
- Step 11: Use a flathead screwdriver to push the tab on the control board. Then, remove the cap.
- Step 12: Remove the harness from the retainers and disconnect all the electrical plugs.
- Step 13: Open the cap on the new control board and connect it to all the electrical plugs. Place the harness in the retainers to secure the wires.
- Step 14: Reattach the cap until it locks.
- Step 15: Slide the control board into the opening until it snaps into place.
- Step 16: Flip the insulation back into its original position and keep the dishwasher upright.
- Step 17: Tilt the dishwasher back and mount the lower panel.
- Step 18: Move the unit back into the counter, and reinstall its mounting screws.
- Step 19: Reinstall the water line and the drain hose.
- Step 20: Plug in the dishwasher and turn on the water supply.
- Step 21: Check if the dishwasher still overflows.
Doesn’t Fill with Water
If your Bosch dishwasher isn’t filling up with water, there’s a good chance that the tap is off or not fully open. All you have to do is turn the tap open to restore the supply of water to your unit.
There are other reasons why a dishwasher won’t fill with water, such as kinks in the hose or low water pressure. In such cases, repairs are necessary to fix the problem.
Kinked or Bent Hose
Kinks and bent areas in the hose can restrict the flow of water during the draining process. Fortunately, it doesn’t require any costly or tedious repairs.
Solution: Inspect the hose for kinks and bent areas, then straighten them out if necessary. If you find signs of damage like tears and holes, replace the hose.
Low Water Pressure
If the tap is fully open and the hose isn’t kinked or damaged, low water pressure might be the reason why your dishwasher isn’t filling with water. This means that your water supply isn’t flowing with enough force.
Solution: Check your water pressure by filling a bucket directly from the tap. About 10 liters of water per minute should flow out of the tap once you open it.
If the bucket is slow to fill, we recommend contacting a licensed plumber. They can identify the root cause of your household’s low water pressure problem and resolve it.
Clogged Filter
Your dishwasher won’t fill with water if it can’t drain properly. One of the most common causes of a drain error is a clogged filter, which you can easily resolve and prevent by cleaning it.
Solution: To clean your Bosch dishwasher filter, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher and open the door.
- Step 2: Remove the lower rack.
- Step 3: Locate the mesh filter at the bottom of the dishwasher.
- Step 4: Remove the bottom spray arm and set it aside.
- Step 5: Rotate the cap counterclockwise and lift the filter to remove it.
- Step 6: Remove any food residue and debris. Then, wash the filter in warm, soapy water.
- Step 7: Reinstall the filter. Rotate the filter cap clockwise until it is secure.
- Step 8: Reattach the bottom spray arm.
- Step 9: Reinstall the lower rack and close the door.
- Step 10: Plug the dishwasher and test if it drains properly.
Not Drying Dishes
Do you notice wet spots on your plates or water stains on your silverware? If you’re tired of manually wiping the wet stains on your dishes after drying cycles, there are a few things you can do to improve your dishwasher’s drying performance.
Decreased drying performance is often caused by overcrowding the dishwasher, using incorrect settings, or the wrong kind of Rinse Aid. By correcting these common mistakes, you can say goodbye to manual drying for good.
Not Enough Rinse Aid
Rinse Aid is key to your Bosch dishwasher’s drying performance. Although it’s mainly for reducing water spots and making your dishes sparkle, it can improve the drying performance of your unit.
As a surfactant, Rinse Aid reduces the surface tension of water, making it easier for droplets to slide off the dishes, especially if your household has a hard water supply.
Bosch recommends Finish Jet-Dry and Turbo Dry. You can opt to use other products as long as they aren’t homemade to prevent potential damage to your appliance, which may lead to costly repairs.
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.
| Tips: • Refrain from pre-washing or rinsing your plates before loading them into the washer. Instead, scrape food scraps off the dishes and place the plates on the appropriate rack. • Even if your detergent has Rinse Aid, you should still add a separate drying agent to the dispenser. Only using an all-in-one detergent can decrease the drying performance of your dishwasher. • Don’t pour too much all-in-one detergent if you run out of Rinse Aid as it can damage your dishes. • Avoid using homemade Rinse Aid because it can invalidate your warranty. |
Incorrect Settings
Your dishwasher might not be drying your dishes properly because you selected the wrong program.
Just check the settings and make sure that it includes drying. For Bosch dishwashers, you can choose between PureDry, AutoAir, and Crystal Dry.
- PureDry is the standard drying technology on Bosch dishwashers, which is available on all models. It is a closed-drying process that whisks moisture away without using outside air.
- AutoAir automatically opens the dishwasher door towards the end of the drying cycle to pull in fresh air to dry your dishes.
- Crystal Dry is the most advanced drying technology available on 800 and 800 premium Bosch dishwashers. It transforms moisture into heat to promote better drying, especially for plastics.
Solution: To select a drying program for a Bosch dishwasher, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Turn on your Bosch dishwasher.
- Step 2: Select AutoAir or Crystal Dry.
- Step 3: Select the Sanitize option if available.
- Step 4: Press Start.
| Tips: • Always finish the entire drying program. • Keep your dishes inside the dishwasher for at least 30 minutes after the cycle ends. • The Sanitize function enhances the drying results and kills bacteria during the drying process. |
Overcrowding
Knowing how to load and unload your dishwasher will keep your dishes sanitized, fresh, and dry every single time.
Hot air can’t circulate properly inside your dishwasher if you don’t load the dishes correctly. If the plates and saucers are too close to each other, there won’t be enough room for the hot air to flow, leaving the dishes damp after the cycle.
Solution: First, remove everything inside the dishwasher, starting from the bottom rack to keep the dishes in the top rack dry. Then, load the dishes into the correct rack for optimal drying performance.
- Top Rack: Place small plates, bowls, glasses, and cups on the top rack of the dishwasher. Keep them upside down and tilted to an angle.
- Bottom Rack: Load large bowls, serving plates, and other dinnerware on the bottom rack. Make sure dishes face inward while larger bowls stay upside down to promote better airflow.
- Silverware Basket: Add a single item to each compartment in the basket, alternating between spoons, forks, and knives. Load spoons and forks with the handles down while knives should be loaded with the sharp edges down.
