How the Anti-Flood System Works
Bosch dishwashers have a safety float in the base of the machine. If any water collects there, the float rises and trips a switch, which shuts the dishwasher down and shows E15. It is a protection feature working as designed, not a random glitch, so the water in the base is real and needs a source found.
Sometimes the water is only a small amount of condensation or a minor overfill; other times it is a model-specific leak from a seal, hose, or the tub.
Clearing E15 and Finding the Source
To clear the immediate code, the water in the base must be removed. With the machine off, the unit can be tilted slightly backward to let the base water drain out and reset the float, then stood back up. If the machine runs normally afterward and E15 does not return, it may have been condensation or a one-time overfill.
If E15 comes back, there is an ongoing leak feeding the base, commonly from a door seal, a hose connection, the spray-arm seals, or the tub. That source needs to be located and repaired, because the float will keep tripping until the base stays dry.
Cause Reference
| Situation | Cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
| E15 once, then normal | Condensation or minor overfill | Drain base, monitor |
| E15 keeps returning | Ongoing leak into base | Find and repair the leak |
| Water visible at base | Seal, hose, or tub leak | Locate source, service |
| Float will not reset | Water still in base | Drain fully, dry |
A Returning E15 Means a Real Leak
If E15 comes back after you drain the base, water is still getting in. Running the machine repeatedly will not help; the leak source needs to be found and repaired.
Book a Repair with a Specialist
Diagnostic and travel fees, if applicable, are confirmed before the appointment and before repair approval.