If your Bosch dishwasher’s controls aren’t responding, you won’t be able to change your settings.
To unlock your controls, you’ll have to reset the machine.
To reset your Bosch dishwasher, press and hold the Start button for 3 to 5 seconds. Close the door and allow any water to drain. Then re-open the door and turn the dishwasher off and then on again. If your dishwasher has a Cancel Drain function, follow the same process, but press and hold the Cancel Drain buttons instead of the Start button.
Your dishwasher’s control panel has buttons that allow you to select a cycle type like Normal or Eco, and various options like Delicate and Sanitize.
Normally, you can change options any time you like, except in the middle of a cycle.
However, you might start a cycle, then realize you chose the wrong setting.
When you open the door, the dishwasher’s controls won’t respond, and you won’t be able to make any adjustments.
You’ll have to reset your dishwasher to regain access to your controls.
Here’s a quick guide.
Table of Contents
How to Reset Bosch Models With No Cancel Drain function
Assuming you’re using a regular Bosch dishwasher with no Cancel Drain function, you’ll have to press and hold the Start button.
If you need to open your door to access the controls, be careful.
Hot water could spray out of the dishwasher and burn you.
After you hold the Start button for 3 to 5 seconds, the dishwasher will provide a visual response.
Some models will change the display to 0:00, while others will turn off the Active warning.
If there’s water left in the dishwasher, close the door and give it a minute to drain.
Then open the door again if necessary to access your Power button, and turn the dishwasher off and on.
At this point, you should have full access to your controls.
If that doesn’t work, consult your owner’s manual.
Bosch manufactures a few oddball models with different reset functions.
How to Reset Bosch Dishwashers With a Cancel Drain Function
If your dishwasher’s display says “Cancel Drain,” it has a Cancel Drain function, which means you have to manually cancel the cycle and drain the machine.
The Cancel Drain function works much the same as a reset, but with one crucial difference.
Instead of pressing and holding your Start button, you’ll have to press and hold a pair of buttons.
These buttons are different from model to model, but there are usually little dots underneath them to identify them.
If you can’t locate them, check your owner’s manual.
Once you’ve pressed and held the buttons, the process works the same as for other Bosch dishwashers.
Close the door and wait for the water to drain.
If your model has an external display, the word “Clean” may appear on it when it’s done draining.
Power off and power back on, and your problem should be solved.
How to Clear a Bosch Dishwasher Error Code
In some cases, a reset may not solve your problem.
If your dishwasher is displaying an error code that won’t go away, you’ll have to take more extreme measures.
There are many different error codes, with many possible solutions.
However, the most common solution is to unplug the dishwasher and plug it back in again.
When you do this, be careful to ensure there’s no water on or around the plug.
Leave the dishwasher unplugged for 2 to 3 minutes, then plug it back in again.
If your dishwasher’s plug is difficult to access, you can shut off the circuit breaker instead.
It’s also a good idea if there’s any water around the plug.
Like when unplugging the appliance, wait for 2 to 3 minutes before you turn the breaker back on.
Keep in mind that this will disconnect power to any other devices that share the dishwasher’s circuit.
Interpreting Bosch Dishwasher Error Codes
As we discussed, cutting off the power can clear many error codes.
That said, non-electrical error codes will eventually reappear.
In that case, you’ll have to diagnose the problem.
Here’s a list of Bosch dishwasher error codes and what they mean.
- E01-E10, E19-E21, E27 – These codes indicate different electrical issues. If power cycling didn’t work, you need to call a local technician or Bosch customer support.
- E12 – This means that limescale has accumulated on your heat pump, which is a common problem if your water supply is hard and your house lacks a water softener. In this situation, you’ll have to descale your dishwasher. Bosch sells a special descaling solution that they’ve specifically formulated for their dishwashers. Many third-party solutions are also perfectly suitable. Alternatively, you can use 1 to 2 cups of white vinegar on the dishwasher’s hottest setting.
- E14, E16, and E17 – These codes indicate that either the flow meter has failed or there’s no water entering the dishwasher. Make sure your water supply is turned on and the supply line isn’t kinked.
- E15 – Water has contacted the safety switch in the base. Sometimes, this is just a tiny bit of water, and you can dislodge it by rocking the dishwasher. If the code continues to display, there’s a leak in the bottom of your dishwasher. Turn the supply line off and call a technician or customer support.
- E22 – When this code displays, your filter is blocked. You can find the dishwasher filter at the bottom of the housing, and you should clean it once a month. Remove the filter from your dishwasher, and gently tap any food particles out into the trash. Then wash it with mild soap under warm running water, and brush it clean with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Reinstall it in your machine and the code should clear.
- E23 – The drain pump is clogged or has failed. Inspect the bottom of your dishwasher for any large chunks of food or grease that could cause an obstruction.
- E24 – This means that your drain filter has become blocked, which could be due to several reasons. First, there could be damage to your intake hose. Inspect it for kinks or cracks. Second, the pump cover may have come loose. You can find the pump cover at the bottom of the dishwasher, beneath the filter. Check your owner’s manual if you’re having trouble finding it. Third, your garbage disposal’s dishwasher drain connection may have a manufacturer’s plug in it. This is a common problem if you’ve just installed your dishwasher.
- E25 – This is similar to the E24 code above. However, it can also mean that debris has somehow gotten past the filter and underneath the drain pump cover. You’ll have to remove the filter and the cover. In most cases, you can get the cover loose with a spoon; no special tools are required. Check for any debris and thoroughly clean the area. But be careful. If you’ve ever broken glass in the dishwasher, some of that debris could be dangerous.
Hopefully, this is enough information to solve your dishwasher problems.
But some of these errors may require further diagnosis or a part replacement.
If your machine is still under warranty, you can reach Bosch customer support at (800)-944-2902. If not, you’ll have to hire a local technician.
In Summary – Resetting Your Bosch Dishwasher
Resetting your Bosch dishwasher is usually simple.
Press and hold the Start or Cancel Drain buttons, drain any water, and power cycle the machine.
This should unlock your control panel and allow you to change your settings.
If a standard reset doesn’t work, manually disconnecting the power supply might do the trick.
Otherwise, you’ll have to see if there are any error codes and take appropriate action.
FAQs
My display reads 0:00 or 0:01. What does that mean?
When your display reads 0:00, it means that the dishwasher needs to drain before you can power cycle it.
You have to close the door and wait for a minute for it to drain.
When the display switches to 0:01, you’re ready to power cycle it and finish the reset.
If the display remains stuck on 0:00, you can reset it by unplugging the dishwasher and plugging it back in.
My control panel is unresponsive. What’s happening?
If your Start or Cancel Drain buttons won’t respond, you may not need to reset your dishwasher.
Instead, you may have accidentally engaged the child lock.
On most models, you can press and hold the lock button or right arrow.
If you’re having trouble, consult your owner’s manual.
