We've said it before and we'll say it again. Dishwashers are every homemaker's best friend. They allow us to do other tasks while they do the cleaning of the dishes by themselves. That's why it's such a bummer when your Bosch dishwasher suddenly stops working, isn't it? If you're clueless about what to do, we've got the answers straight from the experts.
If your Bosch dishwasher isn't working, you should carefully inspect the following components:
- power
- water supply
- cycle settings
- door parts
- thermal fuse
- timer
- control panel
Address their issues accordingly to have your dishwasher back in good working condition.
Keep on reading to know what to do with each particular component so that you can fix your Bosch dishwasher and have it up and running again. We'll also teach you how to reset and force drain your dishwasher. Let's get going!
How To Fix A Bosch Dishwasher That Won't Start
Bosch is one of the most recommended and highly rated dishwasher brands out there. They say it cleans better and gives more reliable performance. So, we understand your worry and concern when you try to use your Bosch dishwasher one day and it won't work.
Hold on a minute and don't panic just yet. Go through this article to see what you can do to get it back in good working condition once again. Here are the possible reasons why your Bosch dishwasher won't start.
Power
Check if the plug cord is securely connected to a power source. It could be as simple as that. Sometimes, the plug is loose or it's connected to an extension cord. Some extension cords cannot handle the electrical load of dishwashers so it's best to plug them into the power outlet directly.
You can also check if the switches are working or if the circuit breaker, which your dishwasher is connected has tripped.
Make sure the electrical connections are in order for your dishwasher to function properly.
Water Supply
Of course, for dishwashers to be able to clean your cookware and kitchenware, they need a continuous water supply. That's why it has to be properly connected to your water supply.
Check the water hose if there's anything blocking the way for water to flow smoothly from the source to your dishwasher. Straighten the kinks and pinches if there are any.
Inspect the water valve if it's opening and closing as it should. If it is malfunctioning, it won't allow water to pass through. If this is the case, you need to replace your dishwasher water valve.
Cycle Settings
You have to choose the cycle settings that you want your dishwasher to perform. Check the control panel if there are any error codes or flashing lights. These are your machine's way of letting you know when something is wrong with its system. It could also be that you accidentally pressed the Child Lock or Delay Start features which would prevent your dishwasher from activating.
Door Parts
If your Bosch dishwasher won't start and you've already checked the components mentioned above, you need to check your door if it is locked properly.
If it's not latched the right way, it won't be able to give a signal to your control panel to proceed with the dishwashing cycle. There's a switch in the dishwasher's door latch that's only activated when the power is on and the door is closed all the way.
If you don't see any problem with the latch after carefully examining this component, you need to test the switch if it's working. A multimeter test should do the trick. Use a multimeter testing device to check for continuity.
Check out this multimeter on Amazon.
Thermal Fuse
Your Bosch dishwasher has a thermal fuse at its bottom. This is a safety measure to help prevent overheating or short circuits. But if your thermal fuse has blown, then you need to have it replaced immediately so you can use your dishwasher.
Timer
Dishwashers have a timer that regulates the amount of time that power is being directed at a particular component. If your timer is defective, it may not be able to direct power to the specific component that allows your dishwasher to start.
A defective timer needs to be replaced so that your dishwasher can function properly again.
Control Panel
The control panel is the main operating system of your dishwasher. It hosts the different functions of this appliance. This computerized compartment is sensitive to electric signals and your touch.
If there's a problem with the control board, your dishwasher might stop working. Due to its sensitive nature, it is recommended that you have Bosch's service representatives or your trusted technician have a look at it so as not to cause further damage.
Control boards are usually expensive to replace. If proven defective, consider if it would be worth replacing this component or buying a new dishwasher instead.
These are all the components that could affect how your dishwasher functions. Have a look at them closely and address their specific issues to get your Bosch dishwasher running again.
Is there a reset button on a Bosch dishwasher?
All electrical appliances sometimes just need resetting to get back in good running condition. We've seen it before when our laptops, smartphones, routers, or TVs would seem to act up only to work again after a good reset.
It could be that the appliance's control board has been overwhelmed with all the electric signals that it has been receiving and became confused about what direction to follow.
How To Reset A Bosch Dishwasher
If you own a modern model of Bosch dishwashers, here's how to reset it:
- Make sure the dishwasher is closed.
- Press the Start button for about 3 to 5 seconds.
- Wait until the dishwasher drains all the water inside the unit.
- Once it is fully drained, the cycle is completed and your dishwasher will be back on standby mode.
For older models, you would usually need to press two buttons to reboot the appliance. You can try holding the Regular Wash and Rinse & Hold buttons simultaneously for about 3 to 5 seconds to reset it.
If this method of rebooting doesn't work, don't give up just yet. You can perform a hard reset. Here's how it's done.
- Turn off the dishwasher and unplug it from the power source.
- Look for its circuit breaker and turn off the switch.
- Wait for 5 to 7 minutes to give the electrical signals time to settle down.
- Turn on the circuit breaker's switch and plug in the power cord.
- Turn on your Bosch dishwasher to start a new wash cycle.
That's it! Hopefully, either of these two methods works out for you so your Bosch dishwasher will start working properly once again.
How do I force my Bosch dishwasher to drain?
Your Bosch dishwasher needs to drain two or more times during the entire cycle. The number of drains would depend on your chosen wash cycle setting. This is to ensure that the water inside is clean so that your dishes will also be clean afterward. But if for some reason your appliance isn't draining, here's what you can do to force the water out.
There are two ways to go about it. First, you can reset your Bosch dishwasher. Refer to the detailed procedures given above to reset your appliance.
The other method requires manually draining the dishwasher. The problem could be a dirty dishwasher filter and that's what you need to address. Here's what you need to do.
- Put old towels under the dishwasher to avoid any mess.
- Open the dishwasher door.
- Remove the bottom rack.
- Use a cup to remove standing water inside the dishwasher and dump it in the sink.
- Locate the drain filter latch at the bottom of your dishwasher. You can also refer to your owner's manual for a reference regarding its specific location.
- Turn the latch counterclockwise until you're able to pull the filter out.
- Clean the filter by soaking it in soapy water. You can also scrub it to remove any dirt buildup.
- Rinse it thoroughly.
- Put the filter back in its location. Turn it clockwise this time to secure it in its place.
Those are the different ways for you to force drain your Bosch dishwasher.
Final Thoughts
If your Bosch dishwasher isn't working, you can do some inspection on your own before calling the pros. Depending on the issue, you may be able to resolve it by yourself or it might be better to consult your trusted technician to have your dishwasher back in great working condition once again.
Here are more resources to understand how your Bosch dishwasher works:
Bosch Dishwasher Cycles Explained—Primary And Secondary Add-Ons
How To Clear Error Messages On A Bosch Dishwasher [Inc. E15, E22, E24, E25]
