The three Bosch dishwasher error codes you’re most likely to see are E15 (water detected in the base pan — the anti-flood system tripped), E24/E25 (the machine can’t drain), and E22 (standing water at the filter). E24 and E22 are usually DIY fixes: clean the filter, clear the drain hose, and check the connection at your sink drain or disposal. E15 means water has leaked inside the machine’s base — you can often clear it by tilting the machine to empty the pan, but the leak that filled it needs finding. Here’s the full code table, what each one means, and which ones are worth attempting yourself.
Bosch Dishwasher Error Code Table
| Code | Meaning | DIY or Technician? |
|---|---|---|
| E15 | Water in the base pan — anti-flood (leak protection) switch activated; the drain pump may run continuously | Partly DIY — drain the base pan; finding the leak is usually a technician job |
| E22 | Standing water / filter area blocked | DIY — clean the filter and sump |
| E24 | Drain fault — blocked or kinked drain hose, blocked sink connection or disposal port | DIY in most cases |
| E25 | Drain pump blocked or impeller obstructed | DIY to check for debris; pump replacement is a technician job |
| E17 / E16 | Water inlet fault — filling issue or unexpected inflow | Check the supply valve (DIY); inlet valve replacement is a technician job |
| E14 | Flow sensor fault | Technician |
| E09 | Heating element / heating circuit fault | Technician |
| E12 | Limescale buildup detected | DIY — run a descaling cycle |
| E01 / E02 / E05 | Control board / electronics fault family | Power-cycle first; persistent codes are a technician job |
| E23 | Drain pump electrical fault | Technician |
| Tap / faucet symbol | Water supply problem — valve closed, low pressure, or kinked supply line | DIY — check the shutoff valve under the sink |
Model note: Bosch uses these codes across most of its 100/300/500/800, Ascenta, and Benchmark series, but a few codes shift meaning between generations. If a fix below doesn’t match what you’re seeing, confirm the code in your model’s manual (the model number — e.g., SHPM88Z75N — is on the door edge).
First Move for Any Code: Reset the Dishwasher
Many Bosch faults are transient. Two resets to try, in order:
- Panel reset: press and hold the Start button for about 3–5 seconds with the door latched (on many models this is labeled “Reset 3 Seconds”). The machine drains and clears the cycle.
- Power reset: turn off the breaker (or unplug), wait 60 seconds, restore power.
If the code returns after a reset, it’s real. Work through the matching section below.
E15: Water in the Base — The Code That Won’t Clear
Bosch dishwashers have a base pan with a float switch. Any internal leak — a loose hose clamp, a cracked sump seal, a leaking pump housing, heavy suds forcing water over a seam — drips into that pan, lifts the float, and the machine locks into E15 with the drain pump running as a protective measure.
To clear it: turn off power, pull the machine out (careful with the supply and drain lines), and tilt it back about 45 degrees to empty the base pan. In many cases the machine runs normally afterward.
But understand what you cleared: the symptom, not the cause. If E15 returns within days or weeks, something inside is genuinely leaking, and repeated E15s can mean water sitting against electronics and flooring. That diagnosis — pressurizing and watching each hose, seal, and the sump — is what a service visit is for. One honest exception: a single E15 after an overdose of detergent or the wrong soap (regular dish soap creates a suds flood) can be a one-off. Empty the pan, run a rinse cycle with no detergent, and see.
E22, E24, E25: The Drain Family
These three account for a large share of Bosch service calls, and most resolve without a technician. Work top to bottom:
- Clean the filter (E22’s usual cause). Twist out the cylindrical filter assembly at the bottom of the tub, rinse it under the tap, and scrub the mesh. Scoop debris out of the sump opening while it’s out.
- Check the drain pump for debris (E25). With the filter out, most Bosch models expose a small pump cover in the sump floor — pop it off (a spoon handle works) and check the impeller for glass shards, fruit pits, or label backing. This is the classic “broken wine glass, then E25” sequence.
- Check the drain hose (E24). Pull the machine forward enough to see the hose: no kinks, no crushing. Detach it at the sink end and check for gunk at the connection.
- Check the sink connection. If the hose ties into a garbage disposal that was recently installed, confirm the disposal’s knockout plug was removed — a still-in-place knockout is a textbook E24 on a new install. Also confirm the hose rises in a high loop under the counter before it meets the drain.
- Run a rinse cycle. If the code is gone, you’re done. If E25 persists after a clean impeller check, the pump itself is likely failing — that’s a parts-and-labor visit.
Our general dishwasher not draining guide covers the same territory brand-agnostically.
E09 and the Heating Family: When the Dishes Come Out Cold and Wet
Bosch dishwashers heat water with a flow-through heater; E09 flags a fault in that circuit. Symptoms often precede the code: dishes not drying, cycles running long, poor wash performance in grease. There’s no owner-serviceable fix — the heater and its sensor live in the sump assembly. It’s a common, well-understood repair for a technician, and usually worth doing on a machine under 7–8 years old (see how long dishwashers last).
E17, E16, and the Tap Symbol: Fill Problems
If the machine can’t take on water: check the shutoff valve under the sink is fully open, the supply line isn’t kinked, and — if anyone recently worked on the plumbing — that the valve was reopened. If the supply checks out and the code persists, the inlet valve on the machine is the usual suspect; it’s an inexpensive part but lives behind the kick panel with water and electrical connections, so most owners hand it off.
Frequently Asked Questions
My Bosch shows E15 but I don’t see any water anywhere. Why?
The water is in the base pan under the tub, which you can’t see without pulling the machine. A cup or two is enough to trip the float. Tilt-drain it as described above and watch for recurrence.
Are Bosch error codes the same as the blinking lights on my model?
Models without a digital display signal faults through blinking LED patterns instead of E-numbers; the underlying fault families are the same. Your manual maps the blink pattern to the code.
Is hard water behind my repeat codes?
Central Texas water is genuinely hard, and scale contributes to E09-class (heater) faults, E12, stuck floats, and general valve wear. Use rinse aid, keep the machine’s water softener topped up with dishwasher salt on models that have one, and descale a few times a year — our how to clean a dishwasher guide has the routine.
The repair quote is $300. Should I fix it or replace the machine?
Rule of thumb: repair if the machine is under 7 years old and the quote is under half the replacement cost; lean replace beyond that. Our Repair or Replace tool and dishwasher lifespan guide will settle it.
Get Expert Bosch Dishwasher Repair
Texas Temp Masters repairs Bosch and all major dishwasher brands across Central Texas — leaks, drain faults, heaters, control boards.
Helpful resources:
- Error Code Lookup Hub — codes for other appliance and HVAC brands
- Dishwasher Not Draining — the brand-agnostic drain walkthrough
- How to Clean a Dishwasher — prevention for the drain-family codes
Call us at (817) 704-0706 with your error code and model number. Same-day service available for most appointments.
