Bosch Dishwasher: error code E09

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

If your Bosch dishwasher displays error code E09, it indicates a problem with heating. This error can prevent the water from reaching the necessary temperature for effective cleaning and drying, potentially halting your wash cycle. Understanding the underlying causes and solutions can help you restore your dishwasher's functionality.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Bosch Models

  • Bosch official support states error E09 means defective heating element and recommends professional repair.
  • Bosch guidance notes if salt LED is on with E09, check salt sensor cleanliness.

Possible Causes

Faulty heating element / flow‑through heater

How to Identify: E09 shown on display; dishwasher fails to heat water; cold wash and poor cleaning/drying performance.

Part: Heating element (integrated with circulation pump)

Scale buildup or mineral deposits on heater

How to Identify: Hard water area; signs of limescale near heater; progressive heating issues before error appears.

Part: Heating element / heater surfaces

Wiring faults or loose connections to heating system

How to Identify: Intermittent E09 codes; visual inspection shows loose/ corroded connectors; error after vibration.

Part: Wiring harness to heater and control board

Control board / relay failure affecting heating circuit

How to Identify: Multimeter shows proper heater continuity but E09 persists; other unrelated errors appear.

Part: Main control board / heater relay

DIY Solutions

Power cycle the dishwasher

Easy 5 minutes
  1. Turn off dishwasher and disconnect power (unplug or breaker).
  2. Wait ~5 minutes and reconnect power to reset control.
  3. Run a short cycle to see if E09 clears.
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure power is fully disconnected before touching machine.

Check for limescale and clean heater area

Moderate 30–60 minutes
Tools Needed: Screwdriver, descaler solution, soft brush
  1. Disconnect power to dishwasher.
  2. Remove lower panel to access circulation pump area.
  3. Apply descaler and brush around heating element area to remove mineral buildup.
  4. Reassemble and test dishwasher.
⚠️ Safety First: Disconnect power before disassembly.

Professional Repairs

Replace heating pump / heating element assembly

Estimated Cost: $80 - $200

Inspect and repair wiring or control board

Estimated Cost: $100 - $350

When to Call a Professional

Error persists after DIY checks and reset
Multimeter testing shows heater failure
Wiring or electronics faults suspected
You are uncomfortable working with electrical components

Preventive Maintenance

  • Regular descaling: Mineral buildup on heater
    Frequency: every 3–6 months
  • Clean filters and sump area: Blockages that can stress heating system
    Frequency: monthly

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Bosch Dishwasher error code E09?
Error code E09 is often due to a faulty heating element, scale buildup, wiring issues, or control board failure.
How do I fix Bosch Dishwasher error code E09 myself?
Try power cycling the dishwasher or cleaning the heating element area to remove limescale.
How much does it cost to fix error code E09?
Professional repairs range from $80 to $350, depending on the necessary work.
When should I call a technician for error code E09?
If DIY solutions don't resolve the issue or if you're not comfortable with repairs, call a technician.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

65%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Either

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Faulty heat pump or heating element
  • Blocked or clogged drain pump
  • Wiring issues or loose connections

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Replace the heat pump: Disconnect power, remove the dishwasher from its place, access the heat pump, and replace it with the new part (Bosch part number 12014980). Reassemble and test the dishwasher.

  2. Clear the drain pump: Disconnect power, remove the dishwasher from its place, access the drain pump, and check for blockages. Clean any debris and reassemble.

  3. Inspect wiring and connections: Disconnect power, check all wiring for damage or loose connections, and repair or tighten as necessary.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. Bosch dishwasher E09 error - Heat pump element burn out phot...

Community Discussions

E09 error code

Replacing the heat pump with Bosch part number 12014980 fixed the issue.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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