Bosch Dishwasher Codes, Drain Faults and Damp Dishes

Bosch dishwashers are quiet, efficient and built a little differently from most of their competitors. They use less water, they lean on condensation to dry, and they protect the kitchen floor with a leak sensor in the base. Those design choices explain most of the calls we get about them. Once you know what the machine is trying to do, its error codes and habits make a lot more sense.

We are independent and not an authorized Bosch service center. A dishwasher still under Bosch's warranty should go to Bosch first.

Safety before any check

Turn the dishwasher off and switch off its circuit at the breaker before reaching into the sump or removing any panel. If the unit is hard-wired, the breaker is the only reliable way to cut power. Close the hot water valve under the sink if you are dealing with a leak.

E24 and E25: water isn't leaving

Both codes relate to draining. On many models, E24 points to a blockage in the drain path, often the filter or the hose, while E25 points to the drain pump or something stuck in it. In practice the checks overlap, so work through them in order.

1. Clean the filter. Remove the bottom rack. Twist the cylindrical filter in the floor of the tub counterclockwise and lift it out along with the flat mesh screen. Rinse both under the tap and scrub with a soft brush. Food, labels and bits of glass gather here.
2. Check the pump cover. Under the filter, many Bosch models have a small cover held by a clip. With the power off, scoop out standing water with a cup and sponge, lift the cover and check for debris: broken glass, a cherry pit, a fragment of a plastic lid. Watch your fingers, as glass hides here. Turn the impeller gently with a spoon to make sure it moves freely.
3. Follow the drain hose. It runs from the back of the dishwasher to the sink drain or the garbage disposal. Look for a kink where the dishwasher was pushed back into its opening.
4. Check the disposal connection. If the dishwasher was installed recently or the disposal was just replaced, the knockout plug in the disposal's dishwasher inlet may never have been removed. That stops all drainage on the very first cycle.
5. Run the disposal. A full disposal or a clogged sink trap backs water into the dishwasher.

Reassemble everything, restore power and run a short cycle. If the code returns with a clean filter and a clear hose, the drain pump itself may have failed.

E15: the leak sensor has tripped

Bosch dishwashers have a base pan under the tub with a float switch. When water collects in that pan, the float rises and the control stops the cycle. Many models then run the drain pump continuously to empty the tub. That's what E15 is reporting: water has reached the base.

The code is a symptom. The real question is where the water came from. Common sources:

• •Too much suds from the wrong detergent, such as hand dish soap, overflowing into the base.
• •A worn door seal or a dishwasher that isn't level.
• •A loose hose clamp or cracked fitting inside the unit.
• •A leaking inlet valve or connection under the sink.

What to do:

1. Turn off the breaker and close the water valve.
2. Look under the sink and along the front of the kickplate for water.
3. Remove the toe kick panel and, with a flashlight, check whether the base pan holds water.

You can find advice online to tilt the dishwasher back so the base pan empties. That may clear the code for a while, but it doesn't fix whatever let water into the base, and it can soak the cabinet and subfloor if the dishwasher is pulled too far. If the base is dry and E15 keeps returning, or if water reappears after one cycle, have the leak found properly.

A two-story home with the kitchen above a finished room should treat a recurring E15 seriously. A slow leak can travel along the subfloor before anyone sees it.

Plastics come out wet

This is the most common complaint about a working Bosch, and often it isn't a fault.

Many Bosch models dry by condensation. During the final rinse the water is heated; the hot dishes then shed moisture onto the cooler stainless tub walls, where it runs down to the drain. Glass and ceramic hold heat well and dry. Plastic holds very little heat, so water stays on it.

What helps:

• •Use rinse aid. It lets water sheet off rather than bead up. Without it, drying suffers noticeably. Keep the dispenser filled and adjust its setting per the manual.
• •Pick an extra-dry or sanitize option where your model has one.
• •Load plastics on the top rack and tip cups so water can run off.
• •Unload the bottom rack first so drips from the top don't land on dry dishes.
• •Leave the door closed for a while after the cycle ends, unless your model opens automatically.

In a humid kitchen, dishes may take a little longer to finish drying in the open air. That is normal.

If glass and ceramic are also coming out wet and cool, something has changed: the heater, a temperature sensor or the rinse aid dispenser may need attention.

Cloudy glasses and hard water

Tampa's water is hard, and minerals leave a film on glassware and inside the tub over time. Rinse aid helps prevent spots. A periodic cleaning cycle with a dishwasher cleaner designed for mineral buildup keeps the spray arms and heater clear. Check that the small holes in the spray arms aren't blocked with scale; they can be cleared with a toothpick after the arm is removed.

Our dishwasher guide covers cleaning results in more depth.

Common questions

The dishwasher hums but nothing happens at the start. Is that a fault?

Many Bosch models drain briefly at the start of a cycle and are very quiet, so a short hum can be normal. If it never moves on to filling, or it stops with a code, follow the checks above.

Should I reset the dishwasher after clearing a code?

Most Bosch models clear a fault by cancelling the program (usually holding the start button) or by turning the breaker off for a minute. Your manual has the exact steps.

Is it worth repairing an older Bosch?

A drain pump, a door latch or a valve is usually a reasonable repair. A failed control combined with a corroded tub may not be. We'll tell you plainly if the repair doesn't make sense.

When to book

Call or book online if a code returns after you've cleaned the filter and checked the hose, if E15 keeps coming back, or if the tub won't heat. Have the model number ready; on Bosch dishwashers it's printed on the edge of the door. More information is on our Bosch repair page.