Bosch Dishwasher E15 Error: Meaning, Causes & Safe Checks

E15 Likely needs an engineer Engineer likely

Quick answer

Bosch E15 (or F15) means the dishwasher has detected a leak and its water protection system has activated. Turn off the water tap and switch the dishwasher off. Look for visible damage to the hoses. If you can’t see an obvious, replaceable cause, Bosch recommends booking an engineer rather than trying to fix it yourself.

Also shown as F15

What E15 means on a Bosch dishwasher

The dishwasher’s water protection system has been triggered because it has detected a water leak.

Applies to: Bosch dishwashers. Some models show F15.

What you might notice

Likely causes

Why this isn’t a DIY job

E15 means water has collected in the base tray, underneath the dishwasher’s electrical parts. Bosch advises against home fixes for safety reasons, including tipping the dishwasher to drain it. Your checks stop at what you can see without moving the dishwasher.

What you can safely check yourself

Stop and call a qualified engineer if:
  • You can’t see an obvious cause such as a kinked hose or a blocked filter.
  • The appliance reports water in its base (an anti-flood or AquaStop-type warning). Keep the water supply off and book an engineer.
  • A hose is split, bulging, cracked or leaking at the connection. Stop using the appliance until the hose is replaced.
  • Water is leaking from inside the appliance or is near the plug or socket. Don’t touch the plug with wet hands or while standing in water. Switch off at the consumer unit instead.
  • The next step would mean removing a cover or panel, or working on the pump, valves, heater, motor, door lock or wiring. That is a job for a qualified engineer.
  • The appliance is still under warranty. Contact the manufacturer first, because DIY work can affect your cover.

Work through these in order. Stop as soon as one of the signs above applies.

Turn off the water and switch the appliance off

  1. Close the water supply tap to the appliance.
  2. Switch the appliance off. Only unplug it at the wall if the plug, socket and floor around it are dry. Otherwise switch it off at the consumer unit.
  3. Mop up water on the floor so nobody slips.

Look for a visible leak, without moving the dishwasher

  1. Look at the floor in front of and around the base of the dishwasher for water.
  2. Where you can see them without moving the appliance (often under the sink), check the inlet and drain hoses and their connections for kinks, cracks or drips.
  3. If a hose is visibly damaged, it needs replacing with the correct part before the dishwasher is used again.

Don’t tip or tilt the dishwasher to drain the base. Manufacturers advise against home fixes for this fault.

Don’t remove the kick plate or any panel.

When to call an engineer

If the checks above don’t clear E15, or any of the stop signs apply, contact Bosch or a qualified appliance engineer. Have the model and serial number from the rating label ready, and start with Bosch UK support.

Repair or replace?

If a reset doesn’t clear E15, an engineer will need to diagnose it. Whether a repair is worth it depends on your dishwasher’s age, condition and the quote you get. We don’t publish repair prices because they vary by area, part and model.

Related problems

Related codes

Questions people ask

Should I tip the dishwasher to clear E15?

No. You’ll see this suggested online, but Bosch advises against home fixes for E15 for health and safety reasons. Isolate the water and power and book an engineer unless the cause is a visibly damaged hose.

Different code or symptom? Use the fault finder, see all Bosch dishwasher codes, or read how Bosch codes work. Not sure it’s safe? Read our safety information.

Sources

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We write every page in our own words from manufacturer guidance and check it against the sources above. If your manual says something different, follow your manual. How we check.