How to Resolve the E15 Error Code on a Bosch Dishwasher

If the display on your Bosch dishwasher is showing the E15 error code, it means water has leaked into the base of the appliance. This activates a float switch that stops the dishwasher from running to prevent further flooding.

This guide will show you how to identify what’s causing the E15 error and how to fix it. Here are the tools you’ll need to get the job done:

• A T20 or T15 Torx bit or Philips screwdriver
• An old toothbrush
• A towel or sponge to mop up water
• A cloth
• Some dish soap

Fixing the E15 error code on a Bosch dishwasher

As mentioned, the most common cause of the E15 error is that water has leaked into the base of the appliance. The question is, how did it get there? Follow these steps to resolve the issue.

Step 1: Access the base of the dishwasher

The first essential step is to unplug your dishwasher and turn off the water supply. Then, you’ll need to remove the front panel and kickplate on your Bosch dishwasher to access the base. Here’s how:

1. Unplug the dishwasher and turn off the water supply.
2. Open the dishwasher door.
3. Use a Philips or Torx screwdriver to remove the screws along the left and right edges of the inner door panel, but not from the top edge.
4. Close the door and lift off the front panel.
5. Next, locate the kickplate at the bottom of the dishwasher.
6. Use your screwdriver to remove the screws holding the kickplate in place, then lift it off.
7. Remove the insulation beneath the kickplate.

Step 2: Remove any water you find

Now that you can see the base, check how much water is down there. Use a towel or sponge to mop up as much water as you can.

Look for a small styrofoam disc in the base. This is what rises and activates the float switch when water gets in, triggering the E15 error. Make sure you dry the area around and underneath it as much as possible.

If needed, you can take out the styrofoam disc, but some models require you to remove the float switch above it first by using the plastic tabs.

Once everything is dry, put the styrofoam disc and float switch back in place. This should temporarily clear the E15 error code.

Step 3: Identify the source of the leak

You’re now ready to start figuring out what caused the water to leak in the first place, and hopefully, get this error code resolved permanently.

Here’s what you should do:

1. Inspect all the hoses and connections you can see in the base of the appliance.
2. If any components are visibly damaged, such as cracked or split, they will need replacing.
3. With the kickplate still removed, temporarily turn the water and power supply back on. Do not touch anywhere under the appliance during this time to avoid electrocution.
4. Run a short dishwasher cycle and keep an eye on the base, looking for any drips or leaks. Common leak points include hose connections, pump seals, and the water inlet valve.
5. Tightening loose hose connections may be enough to stop the leak. However, other leaky parts will likely need replacing.

Remember to switch off the water and power supply before making any repairs. Once you’ve replaced a part you suspect, run another short cycle to ensure the leak is fixed.

If the leak is now fixed, you can now reassemble your appliance and stop here. If you couldn’t find a leak, continue reading for some other potential causes.

Step 4: Ensure you’re using the right detergent

If you don’t see any obvious leaks, the problem might be excessive suds, which can sometimes seep down into the base, triggering the E15 error.

Double-check that you’re using a detergent suitable for Bosch dishwashers, such as Finish Powerball Tabs. Avoid using regular dish soap or too much detergent, as both can create too many suds.

Step 5: Check the door seal

Another part to check if the error is not yet resolved is the door seal. If the door is not sealing properly, water may escape during a cycle and gradually trickle down to the base.

Try cleaning the door seal to remove any mold, food, detergent residues, or grime that could prevent it from sealing properly. If the door seal looks visibly worn, cracked, or torn, it will need replacing.

Step 6: Clean the filter

While less likely to cause the E15 error code, in theory, a clogged filter could cause water to pool in the tub and eventually seep into the base, triggering the float switch.

Either way, cleaning the filter once a month is recommended to ensure optimal performance from your Bosch dishwasher. Here’s how to clean the filter:

1. Locate the filter at the bottom of your dishwasher.
2. Twist or pull it out, depending on your model.
3. Clean the filter by running it under warm water and scrubbing off any gunk with an old toothbrush.
4. Pop the filter back in place.

Step 7: Try a hard reset

The final solution to try, and it’s a nice simple one, is to do a hard reset. There might be a glitch in the control board that resetting could resolve. Here’s how to do that:

1. Unplug the dishwasher and leave it off for about five minutes.
2. Plug it back in and see if the error has cleared.

Still not fixed?

Chances are, following the steps above would have resolved this error code, as it’s almost always caused by water leaking into the base. However, perhaps you encountered a leak that is challenging to fix, or there may be an issue with the control board.

In cases like this, it’s best to contact a professional appliance technician and have them inspect and repair your appliance.