Dishwasher Saying Check Water? Here’s How To Do It

Does your dishwasher keep saying to check the water?

If it seems perfectly fine, but think it’s dryer than desert sand, don’t worry. It can be quite a common problem.

In this article, we’ll cover how to check water on two of the main dishwasher brands – Bosch & Samsung. If you have a different brand, these same methods can essentially be applied to any dishwasher.

The short answer is, first try a software reset if your dishwasher has a reset button. If that doesn’t work, try a hard reset by unplugging it (or switching off the power) for 5 minutes. If the Dishwasher still says check water, give it a full clean and check for any sediment blocks.

That’s the quick answer, but there’s more detail than that!

Read on to solve the mystery of the check water light.

Solving The Check Water Light

Bosch is one of the brands with the highest likelihood of presenting this issue. Whether this is due to delicate components or careless designing, one thing’s for sure – you need to find a solution, pronto.

Error Codes

Bosch dishwashers can display many error codes, including the one associated with the “check water” message. This particular issue is registered under Error Code E04. So, if that’s what’s being shown on your appliance’s screen, rest assured that there’s a simple solution.

But before we go into more detail, it’s important that you understand what each error code means.

Error Code E04

Error Code E04 appears when there is a water flow sensor issue. It typically appears due to a clogged inlet valve or a clogged/blocked hose.

On some rare occasions, this can also happen as a result of software bugs.

Solution: To fix this, you should start by unplugging the dishwasher for approximately 15 minutes. Use that window to check for clogging or bending in the inlet. 

If neither is visible, plug the dishwasher back in and run a full cycle. Assuming this fails too, you’ll need to take additional steps to address the issue.

Sometimes, the water in certain areas can be rich in minerals. And while this might sound like a good thing, it’s not. High mineral content in water contributes to the formation of blocks of sediment that can easily clog your dishwasher, thus promoting you with Error Code E04 and asking you to “check water”.

If you suspect this to be the problem, try this to clean your dishwasher:

1. Check the sprinkler and look for sediment blocks
2. If found, remove the sprinkler and hold it under running water. 
3. Use a toothpick to get to any areas that are difficult to clean
4. Make sure that every component is rinsed thoroughly and has no more sediment
5. If you keep getting Error Code E04, there’s a good chance that you’ll have to replace your appliance’s flow sensor

Error Code E07

This code normally appears when the component that gets water from the inlet to your dishes becomes clogged.

Resolving this issue is a little tricky, but simple enough for you to be able to try it.

Solution: Here’s what you have to do:

1. Drain the water from your Bosch dishwasher
2. Remove the pallets and the filter
3. Remove any food particles or debris from the filter
4. Rinse the filter and put it back into the dishwasher. 

Error Code E15

This one is more of a security measure than an error. It’s usually displayed when there is excess water present at the bottom of the appliance. Usually under the water fill valve, sump seal, or drain motor.

When this happens, the safety switch triggers and Error Code E15 is displayed on your dishwasher’s screen.

If you feel confident enough to check this on your own, more power to you. But if you don’t, there’s no shame in calling someone from Bosch and asking for help.

Solution: Here are some easy steps you can follow:

1. Tilt the Bosch dishwasher at a 45-degree angle to the left. This will reset the error code
2. Remove any excess water from the tray
3. Dry the tray thoroughly and put it back into its normal position

These steps should take care of the issue. Please bear in mind that dishwashers are HEAVY, so try getting someone to help you tilt the appliance to avoid injury.

Check Water On Samsung Dishwashers 

Samsung dishwashers have the capability of displaying more than 20 error codes, which can make it hard to pinpoint exactly which one you’re getting and why.

Most people won’t ever have to worry about most of the error codes that may appear on a Samsung dishwasher since some of them are exclusive to specific models.

Before diving into the solutions, I’d be remiss not to mention that many Samsung models don’t display an error message per se, but show blinking lights in different colors instead.

The company has stressed that most of the issues you can encounter with your Samsung dishwasher can be resolved quickly and easily, but you should not wait too long to address them. If ignored for enough time, even a little problem can escalate and evolve into a much more concerning and expensive failure.

More often than not, issues with Samsung dishwashers are related to leaks, which can manifest themselves under Error Codes 5C, 5E, 0C, or 0E. These are usually displayed when there is a valve sump seal or drain pump leaking issue.

In some models, this could appear as blinking lights above the “Heavy” and “Auto” buttons.

Solution: Here’s how to solve most of these error codes:

1. Check the drain hose.
2. Make sure that the dishwasher hose is in the proper position
3. Check that there are no twists or bends in the hose
4. Straighten the hose to undo any twists or bends
5. Make sure that the check valve is not stuck in the “off” position
6. Run water for at least 30 seconds

Do you see an error code LE or LC? These errors indicate that there is moisture detected where it does not belong in your Samsung dishwasher. You may not notice the excess moisture, so do not assume that it is not there just because you cannot see it. Let’s take a look at what to do if there is a visible leak after you see the error code. 

Is there a visible leak? If you see a leak, the first step is to turn the dishwasher off at the circuit breaker. Inspect the water supply hose for signs of moisture, loose connections, or damage. Signs of damage coming from the water supply hose indicate that you need to replace it. Once you purchase the replacement hose, follow the installation instructions, or call a qualified professional installer.

Another possible reason for the LE or LC error is an issue with the drain hose. Check it and tighten the connection if you discover it is not properly connected when you check for leaks.

Do you see other error codes on your dishwasher that may indicate a need to perform an inspection related to a check water message or another error? Samsung provides a cool tool with each of its error codes displayed on the page. You simply click the code that you see on your dishwasher. Learn what each code means and the steps that you need to take to fix the issue and make the error code go away.

Does your dishwasher say to check water or display an error code to check water? These tips can help resolve the dishwasher’s check water issues. 

Conclusion

That about covers it!

I know it can be very intimidating to try to fix a dishwasher yourself, but I hope this piece has helped you see that, more often than not, it’s really simple. In most cases, sediment buildup or a leak are to blame, and the steps above should help you patch things up.