E15 is one of the most common Bosch dishwasher codes and one of the most misunderstood. It does not mean the dishwasher is broken. It means Bosch's anti-flood system found water in the base tray under the machine, tripped a float switch, and stopped to keep that water off your floor. Clearing it has two parts: drying the tray and finding the small leak that filled it.
Clear the Water First
The float that triggers E15 sits in the base tray. Tipping the dishwasher back slightly to drain the tray, or carefully removing the kick plate to sponge it dry, resets the float and often clears the code temporarily. If the tray filled from a one-time overfill, that may be the end of it. If water returns, there is a leak to find.
Find the Source
| Source | How It Shows | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Door or tub seal leak | Water down the front or sides | Replace the gasket or seal |
| Loose hose clamp or fitting | Drips under the machine | Re-secure or replace the fitting |
| Sump or pump seal | Water at the base center | Reseal or replace the component |
| Spray-arm or inlet leak | Wet after fill | Trace and repair the leak |
| Cracked base or hose | Persistent slow leak | Replace the failed part |
When to Call
If E15 returns after you dry the tray, water is actively leaking and needs to be traced to its source, which usually means pulling the machine and inspecting seals and hoses. Our Bosch maintenance guide covers keeping the base dry, and our E24 guide covers Bosch drainage faults.
Bosch Dishwasher Showing E15?
Book a diagnosis to find the leak. Diagnostic and travel fees, if applicable, are confirmed before the appointment and before repair approval.