Bosch dishwasher E15 error
Stop using the machine
Water has collected in the tray underneath the dishwasher and a float in that tray has tripped the leak protection system, which shuts the machine down and runs the drain pump to keep the leak from spreading. A hose, seal or joint inside the cabinet is leaking and the escaping water has run down into the base tray is the most common cause.
- Difficulty
- Technician job
- Time needed
- About 20 min
- Checks
- 5 steps
The same fault is shown as F15, E3100, E:31-00 on some Bosch series, depending on the display and the model year.
Before you start
- Isolate the appliance at the socket or fused spur and close the water tap before doing anything else. There is standing water inside a cabinet that contains mains wiring.
- Do not tip or lay the machine on its side to empty the base tray. That moves water onto electrical components that were dry.
- Do not remove the lower front panel or the side panels to chase the leak. Bosch's own guidance for this code is to stop and call an engineer.
- If water has reached the floor near a socket, switch off at the consumer unit before mopping up.
What it means
Water has collected in the tray underneath the dishwasher and a float in that tray has tripped the leak protection system, which shuts the machine down and runs the drain pump to keep the leak from spreading.
Most likely causes
Ordered from most to least common, with what each one looks like:
| Cause | How likely | What you would see |
|---|---|---|
| A hose, seal or joint inside the cabinet is leaking and the escaping water has run down into the base tray | high | The drain pump hums continuously even with the door open and the programme cancelled |
| Detergent overdosing or the wrong product has produced a head of foam that has forced its way past the door seal and down the sides | medium | Suds are visible in the tub, or washing-up liquid was used instead of dishwasher detergent |
| The door gasket is perished, displaced or has food debris pressed into it, letting water run down the front of the cabinet | medium | The floor in front of the machine is wet and the seal looks flattened or split when you run a finger round it |
| Condensation or a small persistent seep has accumulated slowly over months rather than a sudden failure | low | There is no obvious puddle and the machine had been working normally until the code appeared without warning |
Fix steps
Tools needed
- Torch
- Old towels
-
Turn the water supply tap behind or under the machine to the closed position, then switch the dishwasher off at the socket or isolator.
Expected result The pump stops, the display goes dark, and no more water can enter the appliance.
-
Open the door and look for suds. If the tub is full of foam, ladle it out, wipe the tub down and identify what detergent was used.
Expected result You can tell whether this was a foam overflow rather than a mechanical leak, which changes what happens next. If it does not, go to step 3.
-
Pull the machine forward and look underneath and behind it with a torch for the source of the water, without removing any panel.
Expected result You can see whether water is coming from the fill hose connection, the waste connection, or from inside the cabinet itself. If it does not, go to step 4.
-
Run a finger all the way round the door seal, clearing any debris and checking for splits or sections that have come out of their channel.
Expected result The seal is intact, clean and seated evenly all the way round the door opening. If it does not, go to step 5.
-
Book a qualified appliance engineer and tell them the leak protection has tripped and what you found in the checks above. Leave the machine switched off and the tap closed until they arrive.
Expected result The engineer arrives knowing to bring door seals and hose clips, and can drain the base tray and trace the leak properly.
Parts needed
| Part | Part number | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Door seal | Varies by model | Varies by supplier |
| Base tray float switch | Varies by model | Varies by supplier |
When to call a technician
Call a qualified technician for this one. The steps above are safe to carry out yourself to confirm the fault, but the repair involves work that should not be attempted without the right training and equipment.
Common questions
What does E15 mean on a Bosch dishwasher?
Water has collected in the tray underneath the dishwasher and a float in that tray has tripped the leak protection system, which shuts the machine down and runs the drain pump to keep the leak from spreading. A hose, seal or joint inside the cabinet is leaking and the escaping water has run down into the base tray is the most common reason for it.
Can I keep using the dishwasher?
No. Stop using the machine until the fault is resolved, because running it in this state risks further damage or a water leak.
Is this something I can fix myself?
No. This one should go to a qualified technician. You can safely carry out the first checks below to confirm the fault, but the repair itself is not a DIY job.
Models this applies to
- SMS All codes for this model
- SMV All codes for this model
- SMI All codes for this model
- SHP All codes for this model
- SHE All codes for this model
Related codes on the same machines
- E12 Limescale and grease have built up on the heating surfaces to the point where the machine reports that it needs descaling before it can heat water reliably.
- E18 The machine asked for water and not enough arrived in the time it allows, so it stopped the cycle rather than washing without a proper fill.
- E21 The circulation pump that drives water up to the spray arms is reported as blocked, so the machine stops rather than running the motor against an obstruction.
- E22 The filters in the base of the tub are blocked enough to starve the circulation pump, or the filter assembly is not locked into place, so the machine cannot move water round the wash arms properly.
- E23 The machine has detected a fault in the waste water pump circuit.
- E24 The dishwasher tried to pump the water out and the level in the tub did not drop, so it stopped mid-cycle with dirty water still standing in the bottom.