Bosch Dishwasher not getting water

Common reasons your Bosch Dishwasher not getting water

The most common reasons your Bosch dishwasher is not getting water include a bad water valve, stuck overfill float and a defective PCB (printed circuit board).

  • 32%

    32% of the time it's the
    Water Valve

  • 21%

    21% of the time it's the
    Overfill Float

  • 18%

    18% of the time it's the
    PCB

  • 29%

    29% of the time it's the
    Something else

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Most common repairs needed to fix a Bosch dishwasher

Water Valve Replacement

When your Bosch dishwasher is not getting water, a bad water inlet fill valve can be the cause. Electric current from the PCB activates the solenoid coil to open the water fill valve in the fill mode of the dishwasher cycle. If the solenoid coil is bad or the water valve is stuck shut, the dishwasher won’t fill with water. It’s often difficult to tell whether the water inlet valve in a Bosch dishwasher is getting electric current from the PCB. When your Bosch dishwasher isn’t filling, schedule dishwasher repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician examine the valve and replace it if it’s defective.

Overfill Float Replacement

A dishwasher uses a float mechanism to shut off the current to the water inlet fill valve when water level inside the dishwasher tub reaches the maximum fill level. If the float sticks in the up position so the PCB detects that the dishwasher is full of water when it’s actually empty, the PCB will not send current to the water valve to open the valve and fill the washer. If the switch on the float is broken and sends a signal to the PCB that the dishwasher is full of water when it’s actually empty, the same scenario will happen. The PCB won’t send electrical current to the water valve to fill the dishwasher. When your dishwasher is not getting water, have a service technician check the float and replace the float assembly if it’s malfunctioning.

PCB Replacement

The PCB is the electronic control board that controls dishwasher operations such as filling, washing, draining and drying. The PCB gets input from the float to determine when the dishwasher is full of water. In the fill mode, the PCB sends current to the water inlet fill valve to open that valve and fill the dishwasher with water. If the PCB doesn’t send electrical current to the water inlet fill valve because of a bad relay on the control board, the dishwasher won’t get water. If the PCB is not detecting the position of the water level float switch properly, then the dishwasher won’t fill with water. Testing the PCB in a Bosch dishwasher is complicated. When your Bosch dishwasher is not getting water and you suspect that the PCB is bad, have a service technician check the control board and replace it if necessary.

What to expect when you experience a Bosch dishwasher not getting water

How do you troubleshoot a Bosch dishwasher not getting water?

Fixing most issues preventing your Bosch dishwasher from getting water usually involves replacing the water inlet valve, water level float mechanism or the PCB. However, there are many other potential causes including:

  • Lack of water supply.
  • Clogged inlet water screen.
  • Bad door switch.
  • Wiring failure.

Follow the troubleshooting tips in the owner’s manual for your Bosch dishwasher when it won’t get water. If the basic troubleshooting tips in the manual don’t help you fix the fill failure, schedule repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician visit your home and fix the dishwasher.

What are the main causes of fill failures in Bosch dishwashers?

When your Bosch dishwasher won’t fill with water, one of the main causes is a lack of the water supply. Check to see if the water supply cut-off valve for the dishwasher is fully open. Open that valve if you find it shut.

A Bosch dishwasher won’t fill if the door isn’t shut. Press in on the dishwasher door to make sure that it’s fully shut. This may fix the problem with your Bosch dishwasher not getting water. If the control is not detecting that the dishwasher door is shut, then you’ll need to have a service technician examine the dishwasher and find the cause of the failure.

What to expect when having a Bosch dishwasher fill problem fixed

When your Bosch dishwasher won’t get water, expect the technician first run a test cycle and verify the problem. The tech will then check the basics such as the water supply and door switch operation. Next, the technician will check the components in the fill circuit such as the PCB, wiring connectors, wiring, fill valve and water fill level float. After testing all components in the fill circuit, the technician will know the cause of the fill failure in your dishwasher. The tech will replace defective parts to fix the problem so your Bosch dishwasher will fill properly.

Without water, your Bosch dishwasher is just circulating air inside. Blocked hoses or a broken fill valve usually trigger this dry cycle. Save yourself from prerinse hassles by arranging a dishwasher repair services near me appointment. Once water flows freely, each load benefits from Bosch’s renowned cleaning performance.

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Thorough

James called to give an estimated arrival time. He was professional and personable. He had 2 professional ideas of the problem and found 1 was correct, but he didn't stop there. He did a thorough check of the appliance. 1 small part was needed. He ordered the part to my house. Fortunately, he was able to schedule for the next week, just before Thanksgiving. As before, he called ahead, arrived and quickly fixed the problem. My appliance is working perfectly.


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Service Call

Luke was great. Polite and knowledgeable even though the dishwasher was older than he!


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Daniel went above and beyond to fix my dish washer. Very pleasant to deal with.


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Frequently Asked Questions

Why isn’t my Bosch dishwasher receiving any water?
A water supply problem, clogged inlet valve, or defective float switch can cause water flow issues. Always ensure the water supply is turned on.
How do I check the overfill float for proper operation?
Check for obstructions under the mushroom float that could cause the float to stick in the "up" position. Test the switch for continuity with the float in the down position. Replace the switch if you measure no continuity in the down position.
Can a stuck float switch prevent water entry?
Yes. If the float is in the “up” position, the dishwasher believes it’s already full. Remove debris or any item causing the float to stick in the "up" position.
When should I contact a technician for a Bosch dishwasher not getting water?
If basic checks—like inspecting the water supply and float—don’t solve the issue, the inlet valve or control board may need repair. A professional can diagnose and replace these parts.

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Glossary Terms

A dishwasher turbidity sensor is an advanced feature that measures the level of food particles and debris in the water, allowing the dishwasher to adjust the wash cycle length and water usage for optimal cleaning efficiency.

Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. It contrasts with soft water, which has lower concentrations of these minerals.

An astragal is a molding or strip that covers or seals the gap between the edges of a pair of doors or windows. Its primary functions are to provide a weather seal, improve security, and improve the aesthetic appearance of door and window assemblies.

A dryer drum is the main interior component of a clothes dryer where clothes are placed to be dried. It rotates during the drying cycle, allowing heated air to circulate through the clothes.