Bosch Dishwasher E15 — What It Means & How to Fix It
Water reached the base pan under the tub and Bosch's leak protection locked the machine — sometimes a genuine leak, often a one-off spill or condensation that clears once the base dries.
What this code means
E15 is the most famous Bosch dishwasher code: the float switch in the base pan detected water and the anti-leak system took over, typically running the drain pump and refusing normal cycles (often with a tap symbol lit). The water can come from a real leak — a hose, seal, or overfoaming — or from something as mundane as a heavy spill during loading or a recent move.
E15 behavior is consistent across Bosch's range and its AquaStop-equipped models. The official Bosch self-help pages cover it directly — worth bookmarking since this code generates more searches than any other Bosch fault.
Most likely causes
| Cause | How likely | DIY-fixable? |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture in the base pan without an active leak (spill, move, condensation) | Very common | Yes — dry out |
| Oversudsing forcing foam-water into the base | Common | Yes — detergent check |
| Loose hose connection or worn door seal | Common | Partly — visible checks |
| Internal leak: sump gasket, pump housing, or hose | Less common | No — technician job |
What you can try yourself
- Cut power at the socket or breaker — that silences a drain pump running nonstop — and close the supply valve under the sink.
- Check the floor around and under the front of the unit: a dry floor with E15 showing usually means old or minor moisture on the float, not an active leak.
- Think back over the last day: heavy detergent, hand soap by mistake, a big spill while loading, or the unit being tilted all put water in the base without anything being broken.
- Leave the machine powered off for several hours (overnight is better) with the door ajar so the base pan can evaporate dry. Many E15s clear themselves exactly this way.
- Restore power and run a short cycle, staying nearby and checking underneath for fresh water. If the code returns after a full dry-out, the leak is real — keep the supply valve closed and book service.
When to call a technician
- Fresh water appears under the unit during the test cycle — an internal hose, seal, or the sump gasket has failed.
- E15 returns after every complete dry-out with no suds or spill in the story.
- The drain pump keeps waking up on its own over several days, meaning the float keeps finding new water.
Typical professional repair cost: A diagnostic visit runs $75–$150; internal hose or seal repairs commonly total $150–$350.
Frequently asked questions
Some guides say to tilt the Bosch forward 45 degrees to clear E15 — should I?
It works because it pours the base pan water out, but a plumbed-in unit has live water and drain connections and real weight. If you go that route, disconnect power first, close the supply valve, and use a helper. The patient version — power off, door open, let it dry overnight — achieves the same reset without wrestling the machine.
Why does the tap symbol light up with E15?
Bosch uses the tap indicator for water-path problems generally. Combined with E15 it's telling you the anti-leak system is active and the machine won't run normal cycles until the base pan reads dry.
Is E15 covered by the AquaStop guarantee?
AquaStop refers to Bosch's supply-hose protection system, and Bosch has historically offered guarantees around AquaStop failures specifically. E15 itself is the detection system working as designed — whether any repair is covered depends on what actually leaked and your model's warranty terms.
Related Bosch codes
- Bosch Dishwasher E24 The dishwasher can't drain properly — start with the filter, then the drain hose path, and don't skip checking that the drain pump cover is seated.
- Bosch Dishwasher E25 The drain pump itself is blocked or its cover is loose — and Bosch makes the pump cover owner-accessible, so this is one of the most fixable codes the brand throws.
- Bosch Dishwasher E09 The heating system isn't raising the water temperature — beyond one reset, the flow-through heater is a mains-voltage part that belongs to a technician.
- Bosch Dishwasher E14 The flow meter that counts water into the machine stopped making sense, so filling can't be trusted — a reset and supply check first, then it's a sensor-level repair.
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