Bosch Dishwasher Flashing Red Light – Appliance Service Explains

As an owner of a Bosch dishwasher, chances are you will encounter a flashing red light. For most first-time Bosch dishwasher users and users who have never encountered such a flashing red light, the first question that comes to mind is whether their dishwasher has gotten spoiled. Fortunately, the blinking is not always caused by your machine becoming faulty.

So, why is Bosch Dishwasher’s red-light flashing? The Bosch dishwasher is flashing red because the door is not latched. Therefore, the flashing red light is warning you to close the door, which prevents water from escaping during the wash cycle.

Professional appliance service people at Homex also agree that the main cause of the red light on your Bosch dishwasher is a door that is not latched. To fix it, they recommend resetting the door latch or replacing the door or parts with problems in cases where the problem is much more severe.

How to Stop a Flashing Red Light on the Bottom of a Bosch Dishwasher

Your Bosch dishwasher is flashing with a red light because your door is not properly latched. There may also be a problem with your latch sensors, or your control panel has stopped working correctly. 

Seeing a flashing red light on your Bosch dishwasher can be frustrating. This is because, in most cases, you don’t know whether the flashing red light is a sign that your Bosch dishwasher is damaged, or the problem is minor. Luckily, not every flashing red light is a sign of problems for your Bosch dishwasher. In fact, in many circumstances, the flashing red light means that your doors are not properly latched.

Barefoot young Caucasian kid placing a dirty plate on the bottom rack of the dishwasher

The problem with Bosch door latches is that despite the appliance being an engineering marvel that is well designed and energy efficient, their door latch is made of cheap plastic, which can become a problem after continued use. 

Best Models of Bosch Dishwashers

Models of Bosch Dishwashers Size in Inches
‎SHE3AR76UC 18
SHE3AR76UC 24
SHV878ZD3N 24
‎SHEM3AY55N 24
SHE3AR75UC 24

However, there are instances where the flashing red light on your Bosch dishwasher can start to show, and your Bosch dishwasher fails to start. In such cases, the problem is usually due to your Bosch dishwasher being unable to complete its cycle due to an issue with the power supply, water flow, and sometimes the dispenser.

In most cases, the main causes of these issues are due to a faulty circuit board, your dishwasher door switch being faulty, and sometimes a faulty water inlet valve.

Another thing you need to note is that if the door latch sensors are damaged, the flashing red light is likely to show despite closing the door. Therefore, it is important to know how to troubleshoot the flashing red light problem to avoid such correct problems.

Fortunately, troubleshooting a flashing red light is not complicated, and you can do it yourself. For starters, you will need to reset the control panel because the problem may be due to a latch sensor malfunction. The idea behind resetting the control panel is to trick your faulty sensors into working again and avoid the problem.

To reset the control panel, you will need to press the start button for about 5 to 10 seconds. There is a high likelihood that this action will turn off your Bosch dishwasher. However, after restarting the dishwasher, your control panel will reset. If this doesn’t work, you will have to inspect your door latches to ensure they are correctly attached. You will also need to examine whether the sensors on your door latch are working correctly. If they are not, you should consider replacing them yourself or hiring an expert to do it for you. 

What does it mean when the Red Sanitize Light is Flashing on a Bosch?

If you notice the red sanitize light is flashing, there is a high chance that the water on your dishwasher is not at the correct temperature. The red sanitize light is giving you a warning of this problem.

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simple fix red sanitize light is flashing

If you find that your Bosch dishwasher sanitize light is blinking, you will need to adjust the temperature of your water. This is because the light only blinks when the temperature for sanitizing your dishes is not correct. In most cases, that temperature must be at least 120F or 49 Celsius.

Digital control panel of a modern home dishwasher

One of the most common problems with the Bosch washing machine is the flashing red sanitize light. Unfortunately, not many know how to turn off the lights. In some cases, when the problem persists for long, calling customer care does not always help because the problem may be specific to your dishwasher. 

Luckily, the solution to this problem involves disconnecting it from the electricity for up to five minutes. Next, turn the electricity serving your Bosch dishwasher on and open the dishwasher to see whether the problem persists. In most cases, this solution will work.

However, if the problem persists, you should consider asking for professional help, including calling for repairs if your evaluation puts your dishwasher at risk.

Why are the Check Water and Rinse Aid Red Lights Flashing on my SMS50E22AU Bosch Dishwasher? 

Your check water and rinse aid red lights are flashing because of the low rinse aid on the rinse aid container. There is also a likelihood of the appliance not filling with water due to a faulty water supply cut-off valve.

Washing kitchen ware in clear water on bubbles background

When you start to notice your rinse red light flashing, it is a signal that the rinse aid is low on the detergent container. To correct this problem, you will need to fill it in the container next to where you put the detergent. 

The check water and rinse aid red lights can also flash because the appliance is not filling with water due to a faulty water supply cut-off valve. There is also a high likelihood of residual water in the sump causing the problem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAQDk0ZMq7Y&t=81s
Flashing check water and rinse aid fix

There are many reasons that can cause the check water and rinse aid red lights to flash on your SMS50E22AU Bosch Dishwasher. One of these reasons is the outlet hose being blocked at the T junction where it meets the sink outlet. For such cases, you will need to ensure that the outlet hose is unblocked. 

The other reason the check water and rinse aid red lights may start to flash is because of an error code E22, which indicates residual water in the sump resulting from a blocked pump or a dirty filter. To correct this problem, you may need to get a new replacement filter and replace the old one. 

Finally, the check water and rinse aid red lights may also indicate that your appliance is not filling with water, indicating a faulty water supply cut-off valve. The problem affecting the valve may arise from it getting stuck open with food debris, leading it to overfill or flood. If that is the problem behind the check water and rinse aid red lights, you should consider changing the water inlet valve assembly.

How to Stop Your Red Tap Light from Flashing on a Bosch

There are several reasons why your Bosch dishwasher can start showing a flashing red tap light, including:

  • The supply hose being kinked or blocked:

 To correct this problem, pull the appliance out slightly and untwist any visible kinks. 

  • Clogged water inlet filter: 

First, you will need to disconnect the appliance from the electricity and turn off the water tap. Next, you will be required to remove the hose from the tap and remove the filter with pliers. Finally, clean the filters under running water. Finally, reconnect the hose and check for leaks.

Sad Woman Calling Technician On Cellphone To Fix Dishwasher With Foam Coming Out From It

One thing to note when cleaning the filter is you should avoid immersing the Aqua Stop safety device in water if your system has one. 

  • Clogged water tap.

A clogged water tap may cause low water pressure. Therefore, start by checking the water pressure on the tap using a bucket. Ensure that approximately ten liters of water per minute is coming out. Anything less than that, you should consider your water tap clogged and should start the process of repairing it.

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how to fix tap blinking error

If the above three steps are implemented correctly, then there is a high likelihood that your red tap light flashing will stop. If the problem persists, then you should consider consulting a professional.

How to Reset a Bosch Dishwasher to see if the Flashing Red Light will Stop

Resetting a Bosch Dishwasher to stop the flashing red light requires you to press the start button for 3 to 5 seconds, which resets the control panel and tricks it to start accepting correct signals again.

There is a high likelihood that you may start experiencing problems with your Bosch dishwasher. One of these problems is the flashing red light not stopping, and even after trying everything, you cannot turn it off. 

Man turns on the dishwasher by smartphone application.

For starters, several reasons can result in the flashing red light continuing despite trying everything to turn it off. One of these reasons is due to failing to close the Bosch doors. The flashing can also mean that your dishwasher is failing to complete a cycle and, in return, warning you about the problem.

There are also other common causes that are associated with a dishwasher flashing the red light non-stop, including a faulty circuit board, malfunctioning water inlet valve, or a broken dishwasher door switch. The door latch can also be another cause of the red light. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwaJdAD6W10
resetting a Bosch dishwasher

However, if you still haven’t figured out where the problem is, there is a high likelihood that a hard reset can undo the flashing red light on the dishwasher. The hard reset will force the faulty sensor into working again. 

To reset, try pressing the start button for about 3 to 5 seconds. This will turn off the control panel and then turn it on again. The reset could see the Bosch dishwasher starting to work again by tricking the faulty control panel into accepting the correct signals. However, if this process does not work. Please consider contacting a professional. 

Error Messages for a Bosch Dishwasher

Error Code Meaning of Error Code
E1, E2 Problem with the temperature sensor or thermistor
E3 Cannot fill with water
E4 Water flow sensor problem
E5 Too much water in the washer
E6 Aqua sensor problem (dirty water)
E7 Dryer Fan
E8 Low water level
E9 Chain in broken in heating element
E10 Heating element problem
E11 Temperature sensor
E12 Too much dirt on the heating element
E13 Water temperature too high
E14 Flow meter error
E15 Water is in dishwasher base
E16 Door is not closed
E17 No water supply
E18 Blocked filter
E19 Electric winding is damaged
E20 Circulation Pump problem
E21 Wash motor problem
E22 Blocked filter
E23 Drain pump problem
E24 Dishwasher cannot drain
E25 Filter is clogged
E26 Regulator for water is not working
E27 Not enough voltage in electrical network
E28 Turbidity sensor problem

What does the Bosch Dishwasher E14 Error Mean, and How to Fix it?

E14 error displays when there is no pressure in the system (or excessive pressure), when your intake valve is out of order, and sometimes when your electronic board is burnt.

Error code e14 can be very frustrating for first-time Bosch users and even veteran Bosch dishwasher users. For starters, few people know what the error stands for and what it entails. In this chapter, we will go through everything you need to know about the error and provide a solution.

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getting rid of error E14, E16, E17, E18

For starters, the importance of the error escapes many people and can be frightening. To put it simply, error 14 gets displayed when the Bosch dishwasher has a faulty water flow sensor. The E14 message is a self-diagnosis system that is meant to alert you of the problem with the sensor. 

One of the importance of the water flow sensors, which can be found in many modern Bosch dishwashers, is that it measures the water going in and out of its heating system. Simply put, it is the brain system that determines how water is heated and at what temperature. Unfortunately, like all other parts, the water flow sensors can also become faulty.

Therefore, when you see the E14 message, the machine expects you to interpret it as simply a notice that your flow sensor has failed. The reason for the failure is not always as a result of sensors; sometimes, the wiring may also be wrong, which can also cause the e14 message. 

Eliminating the e14 error message

In most cases, the E14 error message will tell you where the actual problem lies. Below are the three main messages that will get displayed. 

  • There is no pressure in the system (excessive pressure can also be displayed).
  • A message reading intake valve is out of order
  • Or your electronic board is burnt.

In all these messages, solutions are different. For the first message that addresses the pressure, you will need to tilt your appliance to 15-20 degrees to the left for a couple of minutes. This will help get rid of pressure problems and remove the errors. In this step, you will need to disconnect the washer from electricity for about 15 minutes and reconnect it. 

For the intake valve is out of order, you will need to physically remove the valve and replace it. Luckily, replacing the valve is easy and will require you to disconnect the wiring from the detail, remove the fixing screw and replace the detail with a new valve. 

Unfortunately, if the error message displayed with E14 is about an electronic board getting burned, you will need to contact a professional. Chances are if you do it yourself, you will make the problem much worse.

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Aron Blake

I am the lead copywriter on Homezesty and the Webmaster. I have a lot of experience in home renovations and the creation of style. I enjoy writing and sharing my tips on how to create the best living environment. My Linkedin Profile, My Twitter Account

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