Bosch Dishwasher: not filling

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your Bosch dishwasher not filling with water? This issue may leave your appliance dry at the start or during a wash cycle. Common causes include a closed water supply valve, clogged inlet valve, or a malfunctioning float switch. Identifying the problem early can help you restore functionality and avoid further complications.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Bosch Models

  • Bosch official support recommends checking water supply valve, hoses, water pressure and filter blockage before further troubleshooting.
  • Bosch may display error codes like E17/E18 for low water supply issues indicating fill problems.

Possible Causes

Water supply valve closed or supply hose blocked/kinked

How to Identify: Dishwasher gets no water; the household water valve under sink is off or the supply hose is visibly kinked

Part: Water supply valve / inlet hose

Low household water pressure

How to Identify: Low flow from faucet when testing pressure (~<10 L/min, dishwasher still won’t fill

Part: Household plumbing, supply line

Clogged or defective water inlet valve

How to Identify: Dishwasher hums during fill but no water enters; inlet valve screen shows debris or mineral buildup

Part: Water inlet valve

Float switch assembly stuck or malfunctioning

How to Identify: Float stuck in raised position, preventing fill signal; float does not move freely up/down

Part: Float / float switch

Door latch or door switch not engaging

How to Identify: Dishwasher won’t start cycle or fill until door is fully latched, no fill signal

Part: Door latch / door switch

Control board or electronic control failure

How to Identify: No components receive power, error codes, dishwasher unresponsive beyond fill issue

Part: Control board

DIY Solutions

Check and ensure water supply valve is open

Easy 5-10 minutes
  1. Locate the water supply valve under the sink where the dishwasher supply line connects
  2. Turn the valve fully to the open position
  3. Run a short cycle to check if water now enters
⚠️ Safety First: None beyond basic caution

Inspect and straighten supply hose

Easy 10 minutes
Tools Needed: Flashlight
  1. Pull the dishwasher out slightly from under the counter
  2. Inspect the water supply hose for kinks or twists
  3. Straighten the hose and ensure nothing is blocking it
  4. Run cycle to check fill status
⚠️ Safety First: Be cautious moving dishwasher to avoid injury

Clean water inlet valve filter

Moderate 15-30 minutes
Tools Needed: Adjustable wrench, Small brush
  1. Turn off water supply and disconnect power
  2. Locate the water inlet valve at the bottom front of dishwasher
  3. Remove and inspect filter screen on inlet valve for mineral buildup or debris
  4. Clean screen with brush and reconnect valve
  5. Restore water and power, then test dishwasher fill
⚠️ Safety First: Turn off water and power before working

Free and inspect float switch

Moderate 10-20 minutes
Tools Needed: Screwdriver if float cover present
  1. Open dishwasher and locate float assembly at bottom
  2. Gently lift and lower float to ensure free movement
  3. Remove debris around float if present
  4. If float sticks still, consider replacing float assembly
⚠️ Safety First: Disconnect power if removing components

Professional Repairs

Replace water inlet valve

Estimated Cost: $40 - $120

Replace float switch assembly

Estimated Cost: $20 - $70

Control board replacement/diagnosis

Estimated Cost: $150 - $350

When to Call a Professional

Water inlet valve does not open after DIY cleaning
Electrical components (control board, float switch) suspected faulty
Water supply pressure appears normal but still no fill
Uncertain how to safely access components

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean dishwasher filter regularly: Drain blockages that can hinder proper fill cycles
    Frequency: monthly
  • Inspect water supply hose for kinks or damage: Supply blockage causing no fill issues
    Frequency: annually

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Bosch Dishwasher not filling?
Common causes include a closed water supply valve, low water pressure, clogged inlet valve, or a stuck float switch.
How do I fix Bosch Dishwasher not filling myself?
Check the water supply valve, inspect the supply hose for kinks, clean the inlet valve filter, and ensure the float switch moves freely.
How much does it cost to fix not filling?
Professional repairs range from $40 to $350, depending on the specific issue and parts needed.
When should I call a technician for not filling?
If DIY solutions don't work or if you suspect a control board issue, it's best to consult a technician.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

50%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Either

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Flow meter failure (2 mentions)
  • Water inlet unit failure (1 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Replacement of flow meter

    Success rate: 25.0%

  2. Replacement of water inlet unit

    Success rate: 25.0%
Analysis based on 4 community discussions
View Sources

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

  1. Bosch dishwasher stops at beginning of cycle
  2. Bosch SuperSilence 42 dba - SHX7ER55UC/50 - Error Code E18
  3. Bosch Ascenta troubleshooting help
  4. Bosch SuperSilence 42 dba - SHX7ER55UC/50 - Error Code E18 -...

Community Discussions

Bosch dishwasher stops at beginning of cycle

The issue was caused by a seizing impeller wheel in the water inlet unit, which required replacement of the entire unit.

DIY View on Reddit →

Error code E18 - failure to fill

Flow meter replacement is being attempted as a fix.

Pro needed View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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