What E17 means on your Bosch dishwasher
Error code E17 means the dishwasher has detected that the water level inside the tub has exceeded the safe maximum. The pressure switch or flow meter has registered more water than the programmed fill amount, prompting the control board to stop the inlet valve and activate drainage. This is a protection against overflow and potential flooding.
Symptoms
- The dishwasher fills with more water than usual before displaying E17
- Water may be visible above the door sill when opening mid-cycle
- The drain pump activates to remove excess water
- The cycle aborts during the fill phase
Common causes
- Stuck water inlet valve — the solenoid valve fails in the open position, allowing water to flow continuously even after the fill command stops
- Faulty pressure switch — the pressure sensor doesn’t signal the board to stop filling at the correct level
- Flow meter malfunction — the meter undercounts the incoming water volume, causing the board to overfill before detecting the error
- Drain siphon effect — an improperly installed drain hose can create a siphon that pulls water back into the tub from the sink drain
Troubleshooting steps you can try
- Check the drain hose — verify the hose has a high loop (at least 20 inches above the floor) or is connected to an air gap. A missing high loop allows sink water to backflow into the dishwasher.
- Turn off and drain — cancel the cycle and run a drain-only program. Then restart with a normal cycle to test.
- Power reset — a 60-second power cut can reset a temporarily stuck inlet valve solenoid.
When to call a technician
If E17 recurs after verifying the drain hose installation, the inlet valve or pressure switch needs testing and likely replacement. A stuck-open inlet valve is the most common cause and can lead to flooding if not addressed. A technician will test the valve’s response to electrical signals and inspect the pressure switch and its air tube. This is a moderately urgent repair — a valve stuck open will continue to overfill on every cycle. Codes may vary by model generation and series.
Need help? Schedule Bosch Dishwasher repair with a certified technician, or contact our team for a free diagnosis consultation.
