Bosch Dishwasher E15 Error Code: How to Fix a Water Leak Fault
The display shows "E15", the dishwasher won't start a new cycle, and there may be visible water in the base of the unit.
DIY Cost
$0–$40
Typical Pro Cost
$180–$350
Tools Needed
- Towels
- Flashlight
- Phillips screwdriver
- Wet/dry vacuum (helpful, not required)
Parts Needed
- Replacement fill hose or drain hose (only if a hose is the source of the leak)
⚠️ Safety Warnings
- Shut off both the water supply and the circuit breaker before reaching into the base pan — you'll have water and mains voltage in the same space.
- Standing water plus a household electrical circuit is a shock hazard — never touch internal components while water is still present.
- If the leak is significant or recurring, don't just keep resetting and running the dishwasher — repeated water exposure can damage the subfloor and cabinetry.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Understand what E15 means
Bosch's Aquastop system has a float switch in the base pan that trips E15 the moment it detects standing water — it's a safety feature, not a random glitch, and it will keep blocking new cycles until the water is gone and the float resets.
Turn off water supply and power
Shut off the water supply valve under the sink that feeds the dishwasher, and cut power at the breaker. This stops any active leak from continuing while you investigate.
Remove standing water from the base pan
Pull the dishwasher out or open the front lower panel/kickplate to access the base. Soak up standing water with towels or a wet/dry vac — the float switch needs to see a genuinely dry pan to reset.
Trace the leak to its source
With the base dry, run a short cycle while briefly watching from outside for where water reappears: the door gasket, the fill hose connections, the drain hose/pump gasket, and the tub-to-pump seal are the most common culprits.
Fix or replace the leaking component
A worn door gasket or a loose hose clamp can often be reseated or replaced cheaply. If the leak traces to the pump/tub seal itself, that's a bigger job — note it and consider a professional at that point.
Dry the base pan fully and reset
Once the leak source is addressed, thoroughly dry the base pan again, restore water and power, and start a normal cycle to confirm E15 doesn't return.
When to Call a Professional
If you can't find a visible leak source after drying and re-running the dishwasher, or if the leak traces to the tub seal or pump housing, call a professional — those repairs usually require partially disassembling the unit, and getting it wrong can turn a small leak into a bigger one.