Can I fix a Bosch dishwasher E16 / E17 error myself?

Often yes for the initial cause. Checking the inlet hose for kinks, confirming the float switch moves freely, and making sure the supply valve is open resolve many cases. If the inlet valve itself has failed, replacement is best handled by a technician, especially given the flood risk.

How does AquaStop relate to E16 and E17?

Bosch's AquaStop system includes a base pan float sensor, a double-walled supply hose, and an automatic shutoff valve. E16 and E17 are part of this same fill-monitoring system — they trigger when the system detects abnormal water behavior during fill, before AquaStop's flood-specific code (E15) would activate.

How much does it cost to fix a Bosch dishwasher E16 / E17 error?

If the cause is a kinked hose, closed valve, or stuck float switch, the fix is free and takes about 10 to 15 minutes. If the water inlet valve needs replacement, professional repair typically costs $130 to $230 in the Boston area, parts and labor included.

E16
E17

Bosch · Dishwasher · Error Code

Bosch Dishwasher E16 / E17 Error Codes — Water Filling When It Shouldn't / Overfill

Q: What is the difference between E16 and E17 on a Bosch dishwasher?

E16 means the dishwasher is detecting water filling when it should not be — often a stuck-open inlet valve. E17 means the machine has overfilled or is detecting an issue with water flow during a fill it is expecting. Both relate to the same fill system, which is why Bosch groups them together in its troubleshooting guidance.

Q: Is a stuck-open water inlet valve dangerous?

Yes. If the inlet valve allows water in even with no power applied, it poses a flood risk. Shut off the water supply valve under the sink immediately if you suspect this and book a professional repair rather than continuing to use the dishwasher.

Critical — Turn Off Water Supply Also shown as: E 16 E 17 E:16 E:17

Quick Answer

E16 and E17 are both water-fill system faults — Bosch groups them together because they share the same root causes and the same troubleshooting path. E16 means the dishwasher is detecting water entering the tub when the fill valve should be closed; E17 means the tub has overfilled or water is not entering at the expected rate. Turn off the water supply valve under the sink immediately when either code appears — a stuck-open inlet valve is a flood risk. Then work through the checks below: in many cases a kinked hose, a dirty inlet filter, or a faulty inlet valve is the entire problem.

E16

Filling when it shouldn't

The control board sees water entering the tub outside of a normal fill cycle — the inlet valve is not closing fully and is allowing water to trickle or flood in continuously. Flood risk if left running.

E17

Overfill / fill interference

The tub has reached an unexpectedly high water level, or the fill cycle is not proceeding normally — too much water is entering too quickly, or the fill is being disrupted by a flow or pressure issue.

Time

15–60 min

Difficulty

Moderate

Tools

Towels, multimeter

DIY Cost

Free–$80

What E16 and E17 Mean

Both E16 and E17 point to a fault in the water fill system — not the drain, not the heater. Bosch officially groups them together as the same category of fault because they share the same components and the same troubleshooting path: the inlet hose, the inlet mesh filter, the water supply pressure, and the inlet valve solenoid.

E16 is the more urgent of the two. It signals that the control board has detected water entering the tub when the fill valve should be off — meaning the inlet valve is not closing fully and is leaking or flooding water into the tub during a phase of the cycle when no filling should occur. Left running, an E16 caused by a stuck-open valve will overflow the tub and trigger E15 (AquaStop) or cause water damage to the floor. Turn off the water supply valve under the sink as soon as E16 appears.

E17 indicates the tub has reached an overfill condition, or that water is entering the dishwasher in an uncontrolled or disrupted way — too fast, too much, or in a pattern the control board doesn't expect. High household water pressure is a common trigger, as is a faulty flow sensor or a damaged inlet valve that opens too wide. E17 is also Bosch's official label for the same fill-path fault group as E16 — on some models the two are almost interchangeable in their underlying cause.

Common Causes — Most Likely First

Faulty or stuck-open water inlet valve (solenoid).E16 primary The solenoid valve that controls water entry has failed in the open position, allowing water to seep or flood into the tub even when the control board has not commanded a fill. This is the most flood-dangerous cause of E16 and must be investigated first. Very common for E16

Excessively high household water pressure.E17 primary Very high incoming water pressure forces water past the inlet valve faster than the control board expects, triggering an overfill condition. This can also cause the valve to not seat properly when closed. Common for E17

Kinked or damaged inlet hose.Both A hose that is partially blocked forces water to enter in unpredictable bursts when the restriction is overcome, which the board can interpret as either an uncontrolled fill (E16) or a disrupted fill pattern (E17). Common

Clogged inlet hose mesh filter.Both Mineral deposits or debris blocking the mesh filter at the inlet connection restrict and then periodically release flow, disrupting the fill cycle timing and triggering E16 or E17 depending on the model and severity. Common

Faulty float switch or water level sensor.Both The overfill float switch (where fitted) is stuck in the raised position or has failed, falsely reporting to the control board that the tub has too much water. This triggers E16 or E17 even when the actual water level is normal. Occasional

Faulty flow meter / water flow sensor.E17 related The flow sensor that monitors how much water has entered the machine misreads the fill volume, causing the board to conclude either too much or too little water has entered and stopping the cycle with E17. Occasional

Control board fault.Both The board is incorrectly driving the inlet valve — commanding it open at the wrong time (E16) or misinterpreting fill sensor signals (E17). A power-cycle reset can clear transient board faults of this type. Less common

How to Fix E16 / E17 — Step by Step

Turn off the water supply valve immediately

Open the cabinet under the sink and turn the dishwasher supply valve fully clockwise (closed). Do this before anything else — if the inlet valve is stuck open, leaving the supply on risks flooding the tub, tripping the AquaStop system, and causing water damage to the floor below. Once the supply is off, cancel the cycle by pressing and holding Start/Reset for 3–5 seconds.

Important: Do not restart the dishwasher with the water supply open until you have identified and resolved the cause of the code. Repeated cycling with a stuck inlet valve will eventually overflow the machine.

Inspect the inlet hose for kinks and damage

Pull the dishwasher out slightly and trace the inlet hose from the wall supply connection to the machine. Straighten any sharp kinks or bends you find. Examine the full length of the hose for cracks, pinch marks, or swelling that would indicate internal damage. A damaged hose should be replaced rather than repaired.

Clean the inlet hose mesh filter

With the supply valve closed, disconnect the inlet hose where it attaches to the machine's inlet assembly. Locate the small flat or conical mesh filter inside the fitting and remove it with needle-nose pliers. Rinse it thoroughly under running water and use a soft brush to remove any mineral crust or grit. Reinstall securely. Also check and clean the filter at the valve end of the hose if accessible.

Test the water inlet valve (solenoid)

With the machine fully disconnected from power, access the inlet valve — typically located at the rear of the machine where the inlet hose connects. Disconnect the two electrical wires to the solenoid coil and test resistance across the terminals with a multimeter set to ohms. Most Bosch inlet valve solenoids measure 500–1500 Ω when healthy. A reading of zero (short) or OL (open) means the solenoid has failed. Also inspect the valve body for mineral buildup around the plunger seat, which can prevent it from closing fully.

Key E16 test: With power off, disconnect the water supply hose from the machine end and briefly turn the supply on into a bucket. If water flows freely even with no power to the machine, the inlet valve is stuck mechanically open and must be replaced — the solenoid alone cannot close it.

Check and clear the float switch (where fitted)

Some Bosch models have a mechanical overfill float switch on the sump assembly — a small buoyant arm that rises when the tub has too much water. With the machine unpowered, locate the float and press it down by hand to confirm it moves freely and springs back up. If it is stuck in the raised position (perhaps due to debris underneath it), cleaning around the float base and freeing the mechanism may clear the code without replacing any parts.

Reset the dishwasher and run a monitored test cycle

After completing the above checks, reconnect the inlet hose, restore power, and reopen the water supply valve. Run a short rinse cycle while staying directly beside the machine. Watch for any sign of water entering the tub during the drain phase or between cycles — a sure sign of a stuck-open valve that wasn't caught in the static test. If the cycle completes without E16 or E17, the kink, filter, or float was the cause.

If E16 or E17 returns and all checks above are clear, the inlet valve solenoid or the flow meter sensor needs replacement, or the control board is the root cause — all of which a technician should confirm before parts are ordered.

When to Call a Technician

A stuck-open inlet valve is a flood risk — do not delay getting professional help if any of the following apply:

Water continues to enter the tub after the power is turned off (valve stuck mechanically open)
E16 or E17 returns immediately after a clean filter and kink-free hose have been confirmed
The inlet valve solenoid tests open or shorted and needs replacement
Water is pooling on the kitchen floor alongside E16 or E17
The float switch appears stuck or damaged
E16 or E17 appears alongside E15 (AquaStop activated) — water has already reached the base tray
High household water pressure has been confirmed as the trigger — a pressure-reducing valve at the supply line may be needed

Repair Cost Expectations

If You Fix It Yourself

Free–$80

Cleaning the inlet filter and straightening a kinked hose costs nothing. A replacement inlet valve solenoid assembly for most Bosch models runs $40–$80 as a DIY part.

Professional Repair

$140–$340

Typical range in the Boston area for inlet valve diagnosis and replacement, float switch inspection, or flow sensor replacement — parts and labor included.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between E16 and E17 on a Bosch dishwasher?

E16 specifically means the dishwasher is detecting water entering the tub when the fill valve should be closed — an uncontrolled fill, which is a potential flood risk. E17 means the tub has overfilled or the fill cycle has been disrupted — either too much water entered too quickly, or the fill pattern doesn't match what the control board expected. Both codes share the same root causes and the same troubleshooting steps. Bosch officially groups them together as a single fill-system fault category.

Is E16 dangerous? Should I stop using the dishwasher?

Yes — E16 should be taken seriously. If the inlet valve is stuck open and water is entering the tub continuously with no power command from the control board, the tub will overflow and water will reach the base tray (triggering E15) and potentially flood your kitchen floor. Turn off the water supply valve under the sink as soon as E16 appears and do not restart the machine until the inlet valve has been inspected.

Can high water pressure cause E16 or E17?

Yes, particularly for E17. Very high household water pressure forces water into the tub faster than the control board's fill timing expects, which can read as an overfill condition. High pressure can also prevent an otherwise functional inlet valve from seating fully when the solenoid de-energises, causing a slow trickle that eventually triggers E16. A plumber can fit a pressure-reducing valve on the supply line if pressure is confirmed to be the root cause.

My dishwasher shows E16 but there's no water on the floor — is it still a problem?

Yes. The AquaStop system and the tub itself will contain water for a while before it overflows, so you may not see floor damage at first. But a stuck-open inlet valve that goes unaddressed will eventually fill the base tray, trigger E15, and can cause water damage inside the dishwasher cabinet. Turn off the supply valve and don't run the machine until the valve is inspected.

How much does it cost to fix E16 or E17?

Cleaning the inlet mesh filter and straightening a kinked hose costs nothing. A replacement inlet valve solenoid assembly as a DIY part runs $40–$80 for most Bosch models. Professional repair in the Boston area for inlet valve diagnosis and replacement typically runs $140–$340, parts and labor included.