Is your Bosch dishwasher refusing to start? Is the "Tap" symbol flashing, and can you hear a pump running even when you open the door or turn the power button off?
This is the classic E15 Error. It means the "AquaStop" system has activated. Water has leaked into the very bottom base of the machine (underneath the part where you put dishes), causing a styrofoam float to rise and trigger the safety switch.
The "Tilt Method" (Quick Reset)
Note: This will reset the machine so you can use it again, but if the leak is severe, the error will come back. This is often enough to finish your washing though!
1. Pull the Machine Out
If your dishwasher is built-in, remove the screws securing it to the kitchen cabinet and slide it out about halfway.
2. Tilt it Backwards
Have a towel ready! Tilt the entire machine backwards by about 45 degrees. Water will pour out from the back onto your floor. This drains the base tray.
3. The Reset
Once the water is out, the styrofoam float drops back down. Stand the machine up, plug it back in, and the error code should be gone.
Why did it leak?
Resetting it is easy, but finding the leak is harder. The most common causes we see in Singapore are:
- Loose Salt Cap: Did you refill salt recently? If the cap isn't tight, saltwater leaks into the base.
- Excess Foam: Did you use normal dish soap instead of dishwasher tablets? Foam can overflow into the base.
- Sump Gasket: The rubber seal at the bottom of the tub degrades over time (especially in our humid climate).
Error keeps coming back?
If you tilt it and the error returns immediately, you have a major leak (likely the sump gasket). Do not keep running it, or you will short the electronics.
Book a Repair with Device Dr