Bosch Dishwasher Is Not Starting And A Red Light Is Flashing?
Dishwashers are a modern convenience that help to simplify our lives and keep our homes in order. Although many dishwashers are designed with advanced features, these features can ultimately break or become damaged, causing your dishwasher not to run correctly. One of the most common problems with a Bosch dishwasher is a dishwasher that fails to start and shows a flashing red light.
The flashing red light on a Bosch dishwasher indicates that the door is not latched correctly, which is required to initiate the wash cycle. The door latch may not be fully engaged, or the latch sensor may be faulty. Attempting to reset the main control panel and replacing the door latch assembly and sensor are easy ways to fix this common problem with a Bosch dishwasher.
Using just some basic tools, it is possible to replace the door latch assembly on your dishwasher. This fix will help send the correct message to the main control panel on your dishwasher, indicating a water-tight seal has been achieved, and it is time to start the wash cycle. Replacing a faulty door latch sensor is usually required after about four years when this part starts to degrade and wear out. Keeping your Bosch dishwasher clean will help prolong the lifespan of many of the components.
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What Does the Red Blinking Light Mean?
If your Bosch dishwasher has a blinking red light, it usually indicates a problem with the door latch. The door latch has a sensor attached to it, which lets the larger dishwasher control panel know it is safe to run the dishwasher with a securely closed door. If the door is slightly left open or the latch is not engaged correctly, the red light will flash to indicate a problem.
Unfortunately, if the door latch sensor is faulty, or if the door latch itself is not working, the red blinking light may trigger even if there is not an immediate issue with the door being left open.
Try Resetting Your Dishwasher
What Does the Door Latch Do?
The door latch is a mechanical component on your dishwasher that helps to secure the door in place. The door latch usually has a sensor connected to it, which signals the larger control panel that it is safe to start the wash cycle. When the door latch is fully engaged, it will pull the door tightly closed, creating a water-tight seal around the dishwasher’s door.
When the door latch is not engaged or the sensor is not working correctly, the dishwasher believes the door is left open and unsafe to start the wash cycle. A faulty door latch could be a reason why your Bosch dishwasher is not running.
How Can I Reset the Control Panel?
Sometimes, the issue causing the red light to blink on your Bosch dishwasher is simply an incorrect signal being sent from the door latch sensor to the main control panel. Resetting the main control panel can trick the door latch sensor into working correctly again. To reset a Bosch dishwasher, simply follow the below steps.
Step 1: Start Button
On newer Bosch dishwasher models, you can easily reset the main control panel by locating and pressing the “start” button. Hold the “start” button for about three to five seconds. This process will reset the panel.
Step 2: Older Models
Sometimes, on older Bosch models, the reset process is slightly different. Older models may require you to press and hold the “drain” or the “cancel” button on the main control panel. Press and hold for three to five seconds to reset the panel.
Step 3: Button Sequence
If pressing and holding the “start” button or pressing and holding the “drain” or “cancel” button is not resetting the dishwasher, you may have to identify the correct button sequence to reset your dishwasher. If this is the case, turn to the internet and research your particular model of Bosch dishwasher. You will want to search for your “button press sequence” or “key dance” to reset your dishwasher model.
How Do I Replace the Door Latch on My Bosch Dishwasher?
The door latch is a part of your dishwasher that will start to go bad after about four years. Luckily, Bosch will sell replacement latch parts, and the repair is relatively straightforward. To replace the door latch on your Bosch dishwasher, you must:
Step 1: Turn Off the Power
Because you will be working with the main control panel on your Bosch dishwasher, you will want to unplug the dishwasher and turn off the power supply to the appliance by flipping the breaker switch in the fuse box.
Step 2: Remove Interior Screws
Open the dishwasher and locate the six screws that are used to hold the front panel in place. Remove the screws and gently pull the front panel off the dishwasher.
Step 3: Remove Lock Cover
Next, locate the screws at the top of the dishwasher that attaches to the underside of your countertop. These screws are what help to hold your dishwasher in place. By removing these screws, you will be able to slide the dishwasher out a few inches to get a better look at the top of the dishwasher, including the control panel and the door latch.
Step 4: Door Latch
Locate the door latch mechanism. You will need to uncover the door latch assembly by unscrewing the screws holding the panel in place and removing the panel. The latch assembly is usually held in place with a single screw located on the assembly’s left side.
Step 5: Remove Sensor
The door latch is made of two parts, including the door sensor and the actual latch. The sensor can be removed by removing the two screws that hold the sensor to the top of the dishwasher. These will be near the latch. Once the screws are removed, the lock will be free to fall. Remove the connectors in the wire harness.
Step 6: Replacement Parts
Using your new parts, replace both the door latch mechanism and the door sensor. Replace the wire connectors, screws, and door panel.
Step 7: Reassemble
Now that the door latch and sensor are back in place, you are safe to reassemble the dishwasher. Make sure you put the front panel back in place and reattach the dishwasher to the underside of your countertop. Plug the dishwasher back into the outlet and restore the power. Now that your door latch is replaced, the dishwasher should be able to start the wash cycle without the door latch sensor being improperly triggered.
How Long Will The Door Latch Last?
Bosch can make high-end appliances that have a good reputation in the appliance industry. However, even the best-made products will still have consumable components that must be replaced from time to time. Usually, people who own a Bosch dishwasher will start to see the first problems with a blinking red light related to the door latch after about four years of ownership.
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Related Questions
Why Is My Bosch Dishwasher Not Turning On?
Sometimes your Bosch dishwasher is not turning on because there is a more significant problem with your house’s electric power supply. If your dishwasher does not turn on and the LED lights are not lighting up, you may have an issue with the power supply. Determine which outlet and breaker the dishwasher is connected to.Examine the breaker at the fuse box to see if the breaker has tripped. If the breaker has been tripped, it may be an issue with a blown fuse or the circuit overloading. Reset the breaker and try to restore power to the dishwasher. If the dishwasher immediately turns off, inspect and replace the fuse.
What Does the Glowing Red Light Mean on My Bosch Dishwasher?
A red light on your Bosch dishwasher is not always a bad sign. In fact, Bosch uses lights to indicate the status of the dishwasher. In the dishwasher’s bottom right corner, a small red LED light will mean that the washing cycle has started. The light will turn green when the wash cycle is completed. This light will stay on for 2 hours after the cycle has finished.Bosch dishwashers also are designed with a feature called InfoLight. This feature is an indicator light that shines onto the floor below the dishwasher. The light will glow red along the bottom to indicate to homeowners whether the dishwasher is running or not.A red light means that the dishwasher is still mid-cycle, and the dishwasher should not be opened. As long as the red indicator lights are not blinking, your dishwasher is working properly.
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