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Your Bosch dishwasher can’t change the cycle, and you have no idea why?
You’re not alone! Whether you just bought a new Bosch dishwasher or are starting to have trouble with the one you’ve owned for years, it’s undeniable that being stuck on a cycle is inconvenient.
It’s easy to think that your dishwasher broke down or that you need a replacement. But chances are, it’s nothing so dramatic.
Having a red, steady light at the bottom of your Bosch dishwasher is completely normal. It indicates the appliance is running a cycle. However, if your Bosch dishwasher is stuck on eco mode, something’s clearly not right.
But don’t worry; you came to the right place for answers. Below, you’ll find an article explaining why your Bosch dishwasher can’t change the cycle and how to fix the issue.
Keep reading to free the cycles!
Why trust us? This article was written by Craig Anderson and James Blackford.
Craig has helped thousands of other homeowners repair their appliances since 2016.
James is one of our resident appliance experts, with over 16 years of experience. He currently works as a Master Technician for SquareTrade, and runs his own appliance repair business.
Why Your Bosch Dishwasher Can’t Change Cycle
Bosch dishwashers get stuck in cycles for a bunch of reasons. Many people make the mistake of opening the dishwasher door mid-cycle, probably to add an extra dish before the machine dispenses liquid soap. Sometimes, children can be curious and open the latch while the machine is running.
Now, if you’ve done any of those things before and your dishwasher still worked normally, I’m not surprised. In my experience, many modern dishwasher brands work smoothly when the door is opened. When you firmly close the door, dishwashers pause the current wash cycles and automatically pick up from where they left off.
But that’s not always the case with Bosch dishwashers. These dishwashers remain paused even after you latch the door closed.
Dishwasher owners usually make the costly mistake of misdiagnosing the problem. They think that the pump is probably broken and therefore needs a replacement. Before you rush to look for a new pump, ensure you’re not dealing with a paused or interrupted wash cycle.
Please follow the steps below to reset a stuck Bosch dishwasher cycle and save money on service calls:
#1 Use the Control Panel
The first option is as easy as pressing a button. Most dishwasher owners overlook the Reset Feature in every dishwasher brand they acquire. The Reset button on the newer Bosch models is paired with the Start button, which can sometimes be confusing.
All you need to reset the stuck Bosch dishwasher cycle is to press the Reset button for three to five seconds.
Look for the start button on the control panel of your Bosch dishwasher and press it for at least three seconds before releasing it with the door tightly closed. If the dishwasher responds after a few seconds with a pump or motor movement, it means it was stuck on a paused wash cycle.
You’re lucky if the Control Panel in your Bosch dishwasher is facing you, as some dishwashers have the Incognito Design, meaning the control panel hides under the countertop once you firmly close the door. You will have to be much more careful when opening the door with the Incognito Design because the pressurized water can spill out of the door, potentially scalding your skin.
Here’s what you have to do:
- Cautiously open the door to access the control panel.
- Press the start button firmly and then release it before swiftly closing the door.
- After five seconds, you should hear some pump movement if your Bosch dishwasher was just stuck in a paused cycle.
- Consequently, it will complete the current cycle and use control panel lights or noise to indicate it’s done.
- Reset the dishwasher for a new cycle.
- The Reset Feature in older Bosch dishwasher versions is not so apparent. Look for a “drain” or “cancel” button.
Additionally, they require a special key combination or what is known as the Key Dance to reset a paused wash state typically indicated by special symbols. For example, you may start with Regular Wash, then simultaneously press the Hold and Rinse button for three to five seconds with the latch tightly closed.
Resetting a Bosch dishwasher activates the drain pump, and all water is pumped out of the machine. Once clear of all water, it will give you a Done or Complete cycle and automatically switch to standby mode.
#2 Perform a Manual Reset
Did you know that toggling the on and off buttons to reset the Electronic Controller doesn’t work for many Bosch dishwasher models?
You will have to disconnect the power from the mains via your breaker box. The dishwasher should be on its own circuit or paired with a garbage disposal. Most dishwasher power lines feature a 20 or 15 Amp circuit breaker with a DW label. Sometimes it feeds other appliances, so don’t worry when the dishwasher’s lights and other appliances go off alongside the dishwasher.
Pull the circuit breaker downwards towards the OFF position and wait for five to seven minutes before returning it to the ON position. Flipping the breaker’s switch should clear some error messages like the freezing screen because it will drain all the little power stored in any dishwasher component within that period.
In my experience, this manual resetting method is also effective for what is commonly termed the E-15 error, usually emanating from water getting into the sensors, usually located at the bottom of a dishwasher. Once you unplug from the power source, inspect your machine for leaking valves and broken pipes.
Against a wall, tilt the machine to its side, and the water will flow due to gravity. Dry your hands, plug the power cable back into the socket, and press the power button to turn on the machine. You have successfully reset the Bosch dishwasher, and it’s ready for another fresh, clean cycle.
#3 Disengage the Child Lock
New Bosch dishwasher owners usually mess with the settings, and selecting the wrong settings can cause the machine to pause the wash cycle for some time. For example, entering the wrong combination of keys or unknowingly activating the child lock may keep you from starting a new cycle.
Double-check the settings to ensure you didn’t enter the wrong key combinations or engage the child lock.
Ensure that you previously had not made any selections before selecting a new cycle. For instance, the delay-start will keep the machine paused in the previous cycle, thus preventing it from starting a new cycle. They should tell you whether you have selected the wrong cycle.
Other Related Bosch Dishwasher Problems
If you successfully reset the Bosch dishwasher’s stuck cycle, give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done. But before you pull out the Champagne to celebrate, tread carefully. Dishwashers have proven to be stubborn even after being reset through the control board.
Sometimes, the door switch or door latch is broken, tricking the sensors into relaying the information to the Control Centre that the door is open.
Additionally, you may have reset the dishwasher after a stuck cycle, only for it to stop working after it has begun. Although the systems are up and running, the vibration produced after resuming the wash cycle can disorient the door sensors.
Outside interference is also common. Pets or small children may accidentally crash into the door and displace the latch. If a broken door or switch breaks the electrical connections between different parts, it tricks the machine into believing the door is open.
Ensure the door latch or switch is broken before hopping on a call with a serviceman.
How to Fully Reset A Bosch Dishwasher
To fully reset your Bosch Dishwasher, start by firmly shutting the door and pressing the reset button at the same time. After ten seconds, the paused cycle should resume if the door latching was merely loosened by force from playing with pets or excessive vibration.
Refusing to resume the function after the reset process indicates that the door switch and latch are possibly broken and out of order. A broken latch will not hold the door in place, and a broken switch will block the relay of information between different dishwasher components. Faulty parts result in a paused or incomplete wash cycle.
You should perform some diagnostics on the machine to ascertain the extent of the damage to the doors or power switches. I recommend you call a professional maintenance specialist to do the repairs because it’s much safer than doing it yourself.
However, you can perform the inspection service using the following steps if you are confident in your electrical skills:
- Start by switching off the power supply and closing the water supply before you start the inspection or repairs. It’s even safer if you unplug the power cable or cut power from the circuit breaker before removing the entire machine from the cupboard or counter.
2. Cut off the water supply using a valve usually located below the sink. If you can’t find it, use the valve located at the household’s main water supply. Disconnect the appliance from the inlet pipes.
3. Disconnect the water outlets behind the front panel below the door.
4. Use a screwdriver to remove any mounting brackets previously installed to hold the machine in place.
5. Remove the machine carefully. First, lower the legs, and the dishwasher will slide out smoothly. Lift and free the unit with care.
6. Begin with visually inspecting the whole unit for any signs of bulging. Sometimes, you can see the prong without disassembling the unit and ordering replacement parts. Inspect the latches on the stationary unit and the moving door.
7. In the absence of visible damage, check the door switch, usually inside the door. You can access it by removing the screw on the fastened panel door. Use a multimeter to detect any anomalies in the continuity.
After removing the broken connections and switches, the machine is ready for a clean and fresh dishwashing cycle.
Conclusion
Sometimes homeowners spend lots of cash on professional dishwasher services, parts replacement, or service calls, an avoidable situation if they had some basic reset knowledge.
Bosch dishwashers are much different from your typical dishwasher and will not reset when you open the door mid-cycle and close it. The next time you or a naughty teen accidentally open the latch while the machine is working, you will need some prior Bosch dishwasher knowledge to change cycles.
I hope this article was useful and helped your Bosch dishwasher change cycle. If you want to learn more, please check out our other incredible resources below and consider subscribing to our newsletter.
Happy dishwashing!
-Craig.
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