Bosch Dishwasher Error Code e15

When excess water is left in the bottom of the appliance your Bosch dishwasher e15 error code will display. Understanding how the dishwasher is supposed to drain will help identify what may be going wrong.

The drain pump in the dishwasher pushes the water out through a hose which normally extends from the dishwasher to the waste pipe or to the air gap – which then has another hose connecting to the waste pipe.

When the dishwasher won’t drain and the error code e15 Bosch dishwasher display is lit then you can presume there may be an obstruction or some form of damage along the way.

Bosch dishwashers are equipped with a detection system that displays an error code indicating where the fault is detected. The code is normally an e or f followed by two numbers. Some common Bosch dishwasher faults are listed below…

Error Codes Explained

This signifies that your dishwasher is having motor troubles. Meaning that the motor controller is malfunctioning or has stopped working. To fix this involves replacing the power module.

Code e09

Bosch dishwasher troubleshooting for this code is a problem affecting the temperature. And points to a faulty heating element. This could result in damage to the heating circuit due to overheating. Or there may be an issue with the control board which may need replacing.

Code e15

A Bosch dishwasher error code e15 implies that the appliance believes there isn’t any water in the dishwasher. And it’s extremely likely that the dishwasher has a small leak. This leads to water collecting in the base plate at the bottom of the machine. And your Bosch dishwasher not draining at end of cycle.

When the water collects here it triggers a float in the base which then operates a microswitch. The water inlet will then be turned off. This, in turn, triggers the e15 error code.

A temporary solution is to tip the collected water out of the dishwasher. And reset the float. But you really need to locate the plastic microswitch cover and remove it. Then clean the Styrofoam disc thoroughly and replace it.

Troubleshooting Steps to Take

You need to check and clean the filter on a regular basis – depending on usage and pre-rinse programming – at least once a month. If this hasn’t been done for a while it may be the culprit. The filter is easy to remove and clean in just a few minutes. You’ll need detergent, a sponge, an old toothbrush, and an absorbent cloth or towel.

• • Locate the filter on the floor of the unit – it’s a cylindrical tube that twist-locks into place. Depending on your dishwasher model there may also be a secondary flat filter which has a hole in the centre through which the cylindrical filter fits. You’ll need to remove them both for cleaning purposes.

• • Twist the cylindrical filter to unlock it in the direction of the arrows, then lift out the filter or filters. Handwash in warm, soapy water, followed by a thorough rinse under cold water. To remove food remnants scrub gently with the toothbrush and then with the sponge. A damp towel can be used to absorb any remaining debris.

• • Place the flat filter back in before inserting the cylindrical filter and locking into place securely.

– Other reasons for the water flow can be a defective leakage sensor. This is extremely rare, but if the sensor has malfunctioned it may still operate when there’s no water in the tray and not turn on when any leakage occurs. The sensor is located on a plastic cup at the bottom of the device and of faulty will need replacing.

• • If the anti-flood switch in the tray is simply sticking you can drain the water from the tray by tilting the device, and then drying the switch – usually, this will take about 24 hours. If the error reoccurs when the dishwasher is used again this can indicate a more serious fault.

• • On rare occasions, the dishwasher tank may crack and cause a problem. This could be due to a manufacturing defect and is more likely to occur in old appliances. You’ll need to seek professional help with replacing this component.

• • The sprinkler that determines the pressure of the water when fed into the tank may split, resulting in water flowing into the base plate and triggering the protection. This part can easily be replaced.

• • When the Bosch dishwasher e15 code appears, you should look for the cause of the water leaking into the tray as soon as possible. Other causes could be related to a hose rupture or even poor connections. You’ll need to eliminate the problem before continuing to use the appliance safely.

Other draining issues

If the bottom of your dishwasher is still full of dirty water you may need to clean the air gap. This is actually the most common problem that stops your dishwasher from draining. The air gap is located at the back of your sink and is usually a small hood or cylinder.

You’ll need to take off the cover and then depress the small hooks to release the small piece on top. Then you can clean out any blockages on the inside.

The water should then pump freely through the air gap and into the larger hose through to the garbage disposal. Removing all the food remnants will ensure the hose works efficiently.

A check valve may be used instead of an air gap. This prevents water from flowing back in the opposite direction. If the check valve is defective it will need replacing – as water from the sink will flow back into the dishwasher.

Sometimes the drain hose will become clogged. If this is the case the drain hose will need to be detached. Hold the hose over a bucket and run the dishwasher on the rinse cycle. If the water doesn’t drain this confirms an obstruction in the pipe.

You may need to pull out the dishwasher to inspect the pipe behind. To get to the blockage you’ll need to disconnect the brackets that connect the top of the dishwasher to the counter. And you may need to screw the feet down lower to adjust the height so that you can gain easier access.

If you have any concerns you should contact your local appliance repair specialists.

Code e22

The pump will need to be checked for any obstruction if this code is showing. Residual water can build up in the dishwasher sump pump. And the filter may be blocked by grease or food remnants.

For Built-in Dishwashers

Integrated or fully integrated appliances are designed to fit into standard or narrow installation spaces – making them slightly trickier to inspect and repair. Bosch integrated dishwasher error code e15 indicates that the same issue is occurring and the leakage protection has worked, stopping the dishwasher from operating.

As built-in appliances are more complex you will probably need an experienced engineer to diagnose and resolve any issues related to the e15 error code.

Problem Solvers

When you have any issues with your Bosch dishwasher, get repairs for affordable prices from trusted appliance engineers. You’ll be able to request a quick quote. Without any call-out charges. And every repair will come with a six months parts and labour guarantee. Your dishwasher will quickly be working as new.