EN

Severity: Moderate

Bosch Dishwasher Error E15 – Causes & Fix

Water reached the base pan under the tub and the Bosch leak protection shut the cycle down.

Safety first · Consult a professional

Unplug the dishwasher or switch off its breaker before removing the toe kick: there is wiring and a pump motor right next to the wet base pan. Close the water supply valve under the sink as well.

  • Unplug the appliance or switch off the breaker before opening any panel. Mains voltage can kill.
  • Water and electricity: unplug first, keep towels ready and never stand in water while the appliance is connected.

At a glance

Severity: 3/5 – Moderate3/5

Severity: Moderate

Meaning
Water in Base Pan – Leak Protection Active
Typical repair cost
$0–$550
DIY difficulty
Moderate

Under the tub of every Bosch dishwasher is a plastic base pan with a small foam float. When enough water collects there, the float lifts and trips a switch: the control stops the program, closes the inlet valve (and the AquaStop valve on models that have it) and keeps the drain pump running to empty the tub. The code only clears once the base pan is dry and the float drops back. The real job is finding where the water came from, because E:15 is a symptom of a leak, not the leak itself.

How it looks on the display

Bosch Dishwasher display showing error E15

Model families & display variants

Model familyShowsNote
100, 300 and 500 SeriesE:15Code on the door-edge display; the faucet symbol usually lights at the same time.
800 Series and Benchmark with AquaStopE:15The AquaStop valve at the supply end of the hose also closes, so the unit cannot refill until the fault clears.
Older Bosch modelsE15Without the colon. Many older units only show the code after the door is opened.

Symptoms

  • E:15 on the display and the faucet symbol lit
  • Drain pump keeps running even with the dishwasher off
  • Dishwasher won't start a new cycle
  • Water visible under the toe kick or on the floor
  • Excess foam in the tub after a cycle

Possible causes

Ranked by how often each cause is behind this code (editorial estimate).

  1. Oversudsing from hand dish soap or too much detergent pushing foam past the door seal 25%
  2. Internal leak at a hose clamp, the sump seal or the circulation/heat pump 25%
  3. Door seal leaking because the unit isn't level or items block the door 15%
  4. Drip at the water inlet connection or inlet valve 15%
  5. Leak from the detergent dispenser or spray arm area onto the door bottom 10%
  6. Float stuck up or faulty float switch with a dry base pan 10%

Fix it step by step

Diagnostic flow: E151Cut power and water2Remove the toe kick and look3Dry the base pan4Let it dry out completely5Check for oversudsing6Watch a test cycle

  1. Cut power and water

    Unplug the dishwasher or turn off the breaker, then close the supply valve under the sink. The pump will stop running once the power is off.

    Tools: Flashlight

  2. Remove the toe kick and look

    Take off the toe kick panel (usually two screws) and shine a light into the base pan. Note where the water sits and whether it is clear, soapy or dirty; that tells you roughly where it came from.

    Tools: Screwdriver, Flashlight

  3. Dry the base pan

    Soak up what you can reach with towels and a sponge. If you can pull the unit out, tilting it back briefly helps water run off the float; do this with two people and towels behind the unit.

    Tools: Towels & shallow pan, Screwdriver

  4. Let it dry out completely

    Leave the door ajar and the power off for at least a day, with a fan aimed at the base if possible. A float that is still slightly wet will retrigger E:15 immediately.

  5. Check for oversudsing

    Look for foam in the tub. If anyone used regular dish soap or rinse aid was spilled into the tub, scoop out the foam and run Rinse once or twice with no detergent before a real wash.

  6. Watch a test cycle

    With the toe kick still off, restore water and power and run a short program. Watch the base pan with a flashlight from a distance without touching anything and note where the first drops appear.

    Tools: Flashlight

How to reset E15

  1. Turn the dishwasher off and leave it unpowered until the base pan is completely dry.
  2. Restore power; if the float has dropped, the pump stops and E:15 disappears.
  3. Hold Start for about 3 seconds to clear any remaining program, then start a short cycle and check for new leaks.

Where the parts are

Dishwasher: filter, drain pump and sump – E15123456789
Dishwasher: filter, drain pump and sump
  1. 1Door lock
  2. 2Water inlet valve
  3. 3Filter
  4. 4Circulation pump
  5. 5Heating element
  6. 6Drain pump
  7. 7Float switch
  8. 8Temperature sensor
  9. 9Water level sensor

Repair options & costs

RepairDIY?Estimated cost
Dry base pan, fix detergent use Yes $0–$10
Tighten or replace a leaking hose clamp Yes $5–$25
Replace door gasket Yes $35–$80
Technician leak diagnosis and minor repair No $150–$300
Circulation/heat pump or sump seal replacement No $300–$550

Rough US estimates; technician call-out fees vary by region. Not a quote.

When to call a technician

Call a technician if water keeps reappearing in the base pan after it was dried and the detergent is right, especially if the water is dirty (that points to the pump or sump). Also call if E:15 stays on with a visibly dry base pan, which suggests a faulty float switch.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the pump keep running even when the dishwasher is off?

That is the leak protection doing its job: as long as the float is up, the control drains the tub to stop any more water from escaping. Unplug the unit or cut the breaker to stop it while you dry the base.

Can I just dry the base and keep using the dishwasher?

Only if you found a harmless cause such as the wrong detergent. If E:15 comes back after a proper dry-out, there is a real leak inside and it will keep getting worse.

Will a leak under a Bosch damage my floor?

The base pan holds a small amount of water so the floor usually stays dry. Once it overflows, water runs under the cabinets, so act quickly if you see water in front of the unit.

Could E:15 be caused by a hairline crack in the tub?

Rarely. On Bosch units the stainless tub is very durable; most leaks come from seals, hose connections and the pump area. A technician can confirm with the unit pulled out.

Sources