How to Fix the E15 Bosch Dishwasher Error Code

The E15 error code indicates that there’s water in the base of your Bosch dishwasher. This water triggers a float switch, which activates a safety feature that stops your dishwasher from running so you don’t end up with an even more severe leak.

While Bosch recommends contacting their support team or a qualified appliance repair technician if you encounter this error code, it’s sometimes possible to fix it yourself. However, you’ll likely need to remove the front panel and kick plate on your Bosch dishwasher, requiring either a T20 or T15 Torx bit or Phillips screwdriver. 

This guide will take you through all the steps required to diagnose and fix the cause of the E15 error code on your appliance. Let’s get started.

Possible Easy Solution: Try a Hard Reset

There’s no guarantee this will work for you, but sometimes, the E15 error can be caused by a glitch in the control board. When this is the case, simply performing a hard reset may clear the error, which involves unplugging your dishwasher for five minutes and then powering it up again.

Since this is an easy possible fix, it’s worth a try. If the error code persists, at least you’ll know that there’s almost certainly water in the base that needs removing.

Clean the Filter

Another relatively easy and helpful thing to do is to clean the filter. If the filter is clogged, water may not drain away properly, leading to pooling near the filter or a backup in the system. Sometimes, this may eventually lead to leaks or excess water gradually seeping down to the base tray, triggering the E15 error code.

To clean it, locate the filter inside the appliance, found at the base. Pull or twist it out and then give it a good clean by running hot water through it and brushing away any gunk. This may not resolve the error code immediately, but it can help prevent it from recurring. It’s a good idea to clean your dishwasher filter every month.

Check for Water and Leaks in the Base

Now, we get to the most common cause of the E15 error code: water in the base of your appliance.

Before we start, it’s essential to turn the power and water supply to the appliance off for safety. Once powered off, you’ll need to remove the front panel and kick plate on your Bosch dishwasher so you can access the base. To do this:

1. Open the dishwasher’s door.
2. Use a screwdriver with the appropriate Philip’s or Torx head to unthread the screws on the edge of the inner door panel, but only those on the right and left sides. Don’t remove the ones at the top.
3. Next, close the door and remove the unscrewed front panel by pulling it away.
4. You’ll now be able to see the kickplate at the bottom of the dishwasher. It looks like a flat rectangular plate that spans the width of the dishwasher.
5. Use a screwdriver with the right head to remove the screws from the kickplate.
6. Now remove the kickplate by pulling it away. Also remove the insulation underneath it.

Now that you’ve gained access to the base of the dishwasher, the first thing to do is to examine how much excess water is in there. You likely have a leak in one of the hoses or connection points if there’s a lot.

Mop up any water you can see with a towel. Next, look for a styrofoam disc in the base. This is what floats up and triggers the float switch above it, causing the E15 error code. This styrofoam disc likely has some water underneath it that you may be able to see or feel.

Therefore, you want to dry the area in and around the styrofoam as much as possible. It’s possible to remove the styrofoam disc, but in some models, you’ll need to move the float switch above it first by popping it out using its plastic tabs. 

After you remove the styrofoam disc, dry the area underneath where it was, and then put the disc and the float switch back in place. If you’re confident all the water has been removed from the base, this should temporarily remove the E15 error code.

However, to identify the source of the leak, here are the steps to follow:

1. Check all the hoses and drain connections for signs of damage, such as cracks, kinks, or splitting. Remove and replace anything damaged.
2. Next, turn the power and water supply back on and run a short cycle.
3. Observe the appliance for any leaks or water dripping down into the baseplate. This will allow you to pinpoint the exact cause.
4. Common areas where leaks occur include hose connections, the water inlet valve, or pump seals, so check all these.
5. If you find the source of the leak, replace or repair the parts where the leak occurs. You may need to order new parts. Remember to turn the water and power supply off again when fitting the new parts.
6. Run a short cycle again to confirm the leak is fixed and that there are no other leaks.

Other Possible Causes

If you didn’t spot any obvious signs of leaks during the previous step, excessive suds or leaks from the door seal may be the cause of water getting into the base. 

Inspect the door seal for any signs of damage or improper alignment. Replace it if it’s damaged, or adjust it if it’s misaligned. Also, clean the door seal to remove any food particles or debris that may prevent it from sealing properly.

Finally, ensure that you’re using the right detergent for your dishwasher model and that you’re not using too much detergent, which could lead to excess suds.