If your Bosch dishwasher isn’t cleaning properly, start with this fast troubleshooting checklist. Learn how to fix filters, spray arms, water flow, heating issues, and more.
Bosch Dishwasher Not Cleaning? Start With This Quick Checklist
✔ Quick Troubleshooting Checklist
- Test the heating element
If dishes aren’t drying or water isn’t hot enough, test the heating element for continuity. - Clean the filters
Remove and thoroughly wash the dishwasher filter. A clogged filter restricts water flow and reduces cleaning power. - Check spray arms (top, middle, and bottom)
Look for clogs, cracks, or food debris blocking the spray holes. Make sure the arms spin freely. - Inspect the water inlet valve
- If the dishwasher isn’t filling properly, a faulty inlet valve may be limiting water supply.
- Verify proper loading
- Avoid overcrowding and ensure dishes aren’t blocking spray arms or detergent release.
- Check water temperature
- Your home’s hot water should be at least 120°F (49°C) for proper cleaning performance.
- Inspect the rinse aid dispenser
- If dishes are wet or spotted, make sure the rinse aid dispenser isn’t empty or clogged.
- Use the Heated Dry setting
This improves drying performance and reduces spotting. - Reset the dishwasher
Unplug the unit for several minutes to reset the control board. - Run diagnostic mode (if needed)
Enter service mode to check for stored error codes that may point to deeper issues.
Starting with these steps can solve most Bosch dishwasher cleaning problems quickly and restore full performance without major repairs.
Clogged or Dirty Dishwasher Filter
What it is: At the bottom of your Bosch dishwasher’s interior is a filter. This part is designed to remove all food bits and other junk from the water before the appliance recirculates and continues using it to wash your dishes.
Ideally, this filter must be cleaned periodically. You can do this once a month or more often if you’re using the dishwasher more often than average.
How it fails: The dishwasher filter will continue catching food bits and dirt. As the filter becomes increasingly saturated with items, water flow through the filter will gradually become restricted. That will prevent water from being recirculated through the wash arms at a fast enough rate to wash all of the dishes effectively, resulting in dirty dishes at the end of the wash cycle.
How to fix: Fixing this is quite straightforward, as all you’ll need to do is remove and clean the filter at the bottom of your dishwasher. First, remove the bottom rack and the lower spray arm to gain access to the filter.
Next, take the filter out and wash it in your kitchen sink. Be sure to remove all visible dirt and food bits before you reinstall the filter.
Failed or Restricted Water Inlet Valve
The water inlet valve is the component responsible for regulating water flow into your Bosch dishwasher. Over time, this valve can fail mechanically due to mineral buildup or electrically due to internal component failure, both of which prevent the unit from filling properly and leave dishes dirty. Since this controls water flow, its failure means your dishes will not get clean.
Below is a picture of mechanical failure because the valve has a buildup of minerals and dirt from the water. It will not open and close as it should.
How to fix it: Because this part cannot be repaired, the only solution is a total replacement. Replacement valves are available on Amazon for around $15, depending upon model. Click here.
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- Locate the water Inlet valve: Depending on your specific model, the valve is located at either the front-bottom or the rear of the machine. It’s located where the water supply hose connects to the appliance.
- Disconnect the power supply from the machine.
- Disconnect the water supply lines from the valve. Keep rags handy for drips.
- Remove the faulty valve, and install a new one in its place.
- Reconnect everything and run a normal wash load to see if the problem is corrected.
Low Water Temperature (Below 120°F / 49°C)
If your dishwasher water temperature is too low, it creates a “domino effect” of cleaning failures. Most modern detergents, especially pods, require a minimum temperature of 120°F (49°C) to dissolve the outer casing and activate the enzymes that eat away at food proteins. Cool water also fails to melt animal fats and greases, which instead of being washed away, get redeposited as a cloudy film on your glassware. Furthermore, because cool water evaporates slowly, it significantly hinders the drying process, leaving your dishes dripping wet even after a full cycle.
Quick Tip: Run the kitchen sink until the water is hot before starting your dishwasher to ensure the first fill is at least 120°F.
Faulty Heating Element Affecting Wash and Dry Performance
The heating element in your Bosch dishwasher raises the water temperature to properly dissolve detergent and remove grease. It also helps dry dishes at the end of the cycle. If the element fails, dishes may come out dirty, greasy, or wet. To test it:
- Disconnect power to the dishwasher.
- Access the heating element terminals (usually located at the bottom of the tub).
- Use a
multimeter set to ohms (Ω) to check for continuity.
A working heating element will show resistance (typically between 10–30 ohms, depending on the model). If there is no continuity (infinite resistance), the element is defective and needs replacement. Replacement heating elements run around $65 on Amazon click here. Double check model number before ordering.
Blocked, Cracked, or Faulty Spray Arms
Your Bosch dishwasher relies on upper and lower spray arms to force water through small jets that clean dishes while spinning continuously. If these spray arms become clogged with food debris, cracked from hitting tall items, or blocked from turning freely, water won’t spray properly—leaving dishes dirty.
How to Fix it: Clear clogged jets with a toothpick, replace cracked arms (they snap out and in without tools). Replacement sprayer arms are available on Amazon for $25-35 here. Double check model number before ordering.
Note: we may receive a small commission from your purchase at no additional cost to you.
Improper Dishwasher Loading Blocking Spray Coverage
Avoid overloading the bottom rack as it may block water in the spray arms from reaching all the dishes. Also, avoid loading tall items upright on the bottom rack so the center spray arm can spin freely. Be mindful of how you load items onto the bottom rack and put tall items at an angle rather than standing vertically.
Other Reasons Your Bosch Dishwasher Is Not Cleaning
Incorrect Wash Cycle
Before diving into mechanical repairs, ensure you are selecting the appropriate wash cycle for the soil level of your dishes. Using a “Normal” cycle for heavily soiled items often results in leftover debris; instead, opt for a “Heavy” cycle for tougher jobs. If you are unsure which setting to use, select the Sensor wash cycle (if available), which automatically adjusts the time and intensity based on how dirty your dishes are to ensure a spotless clean.
Issues with the Detergent
The detergent helps to remove grease and odors, while also breaking down any stains stuck to your dishes. Be sure to use an adequate amount and a quality brand. Using detergent pods ensures you get the correct amount of detergent and rinse aid every wash.
Empty or Clogged Rinse Aid Dispenser
Occasionally, the detergent pod will get stuck to the door of the dishwasher or fail to dissolve. This will leave dirty dishes at the end of the wash cycle. Simply replace the pod, making sure it doesn’t get stuck in the door of the detergent cup. Run a short wash to ensure dishes are properly sanitized.
Control Board Glitch (Reset May Be Required)
A control board glitch can cause your Bosch dishwasher to stop washing properly, skip parts of the cycle, or fail to heat the water. Power surges, interrupted cycles, or minor software errors can disrupt communication between components like the water inlet valve, circulation pump, and heating element. Before assuming a major failure, try resetting the dishwasher by unplugging it (or turning off the breaker) for 5–10 minutes. If problems persist, running diagnostic mode can reveal stored error codes that point to a deeper electronic issue.
Diagnostic Mode Error Codes and What They Mean
How To Reset A Bosch Dishwasher?
To reset your Bosch dishwasher, press and hold the Start button for three seconds, or until the display shows 0:01. Then, close the door.
Besides resetting the dishwasher, this procedure will also trigger a drain cycle to remove any remaining water in the appliance.
How To Run Diagnostics Mode On A Bosch Dishwasher?
The diagnostics mode on Bosch dishwashers is typically referred to as ‘program mode’. To enter this mode, follow these steps:
- Firstly, press and hold any two cycle keys. As you hold those buttons, press and release the power button on your dishwasher. You’ll see the display show “P0” if this step is done correctly.
- Next, identify the “Cancel-Drain” or “Cancel-Reset” button combination for your dishwasher. They are labelled on your control panel.
- From left to right, the button on the left of that combination is “Button A”, followed by the one in the middle, which is “Button B”, and the last one is “Button C”.
- Press Button B until the display shows “P1”.
- Lastly, press Button C to begin the test mode. The machine will begin running automated tests to identify any errors it might be experiencing.
Fixes for a Bosch Dishwasher Not Drying
A dishwasher not drying is often a mechanical issue or a settings error. Check these components to get your dishes bone-dry:
- Select “Heated Dry”: Verify that the Heated Dry or High-Temp Wash option is selected before starting the cycle.
- Inspect the Heating Element: Look at the black circular tube at the bottom of the tub. If you see cracks, blisters, or a white mineral coating, it may need to be replaced.
- Test for Continuity: Use a multimeter to test the heating element and the high-limit thermostat. If either shows “infinite” resistance, it is faulty and preventing heat.
- Check the Vent and Fan: Amana dishwashers use a vent to release steam. If the vent is stuck closed or the small internal fan has failed, moisture will stay trapped on your dishes.
- Load for Drainage: Ensure cups and bowls are tilted at an angle so water doesn’t pool in the “wells” of the plasticware.
Common Causes of Dishwasher Odors
If your dishwasher doesn’t smell fresh after a cycle and instead has a sour, rotten-egg, fishy, or musty odor, you’re not alone—this is a frequent homeowner complaint. The good news? Most dishwasher smells come from identifiable issues you can fix with routine cleaning and maintenance.
Why Your Dishwasher Might Smell
Dishwashers don’t naturally start smelling bad on their own. Typical causes include:
- Contaminated or stagnant water
Dirty water from the sink or a poorly connected drain hose can flow back into the dishwasher, leading to sulfur-like or rotten egg odors when anaerobic bacteria are present. - Dirty filter or trapped food debris
Bits of food, grease, and residue can get stuck in the filter, crevices, and drain. Over time, this buildup decomposes and causes foul smells. - Hard water and mineral buildup
Hard water minerals like calcium and magnesium leave limescale deposits in the dishwasher. These can trap food residue and contribute to odors while reducing cleaning effectiveness. - Improper drainage setup
If the dishwasher drain hose is installed incorrectly—such as being connected after the P-trap or lacking a proper high loop—sewer gases can enter the machine and cause a bad smell. - “Wet dog” or musty smells
Mildly contaminated or stagnant water inside the dishwasher can linger and emit odors reminiscent of wet dog or lake water. This often happens when bacteria dry out and leave behind scent molecules.
Smart Cleaning and Prevention Tips
Keeping dishwasher odors at bay is mostly about good cleaning habits:
- Thoroughly clean the filter
Remove and scrub the dishwasher filter regularly with hot water and a stiff brush to eliminate trapped food and grease. - Deep clean the interior
Make a paste of baking soda and dish soap to scrub the dishwasher’s walls, racks, and gaskets. Run an empty hot cycle to rinse everything clean. - Rinse dishes before loading
Scrape off large food particles before placing dishes in the dishwasher to prevent them from ending up in the drain or filter. - Check water softening and drainage
If you have hard water, consider using a water softener or descaler. Also make sure the drain hose has the correct high loop and isn’t blocked.
With regular maintenance and proper setup, most dishwasher odors can be eliminated and prevented—leading to fresher-smelling dishes and a happier kitchen overall.
Bosch Dishwasher Error Codes
Follow the link below to our comprehensive guide:
