Your Bosch dishwasher not starting red light flashing? Here’s Your Step-by-Step Guide to Fix It!

Your Bosch dishwasher blinking red light and not starting? Read this

So, what does it mean when the red light is flashing on a Bosch dishwasher (and how can you make your dishwasher start again -if it won’t start)?

Well, read this if your Bosch dishwasher is not running and the annoying red light won’t stop blinking.

Bosch dishwasher not starting red light flashing – cause and fixes of Bosch dishwasher blinking red light issue

Why is the red light flashing on my Bosch dishwasher?

Your Bosch dishwasher red light flashing? Try this

Start by checking that your dishwasher’s door is properly closed(securely latched). Also ensure water supply to your dishwasher is actually turned on and there are no kinks/blockages in/along water inlet hose. Next, check your dishwasher’s filters and spray arms for any debris or clogs- and clean them. Don’t forget to check if then appliance is flashing an error code – refer to your Bosch dishwasher’s user manual or the manufacturer’s website to interpret specific flashing red light pattern and error codes you see

Now, there are one or two reasons (out of the above) why your Bosch dishwasher has blinking red light (but one is more common).

Below is the most common cause of a Bosch dishwasher blinking red light and not starting (and how to resolve the issue)…

Door not closed

Your Bosch 800 dishwasher blinking red light (Bosch 500 series dishwasher blinking red light  / Bosch 100 series dishwasher blinking red light) could simply be communicating that the door is not closed properly.

Usually, the machine is engineered to run only when the door is closed tight and it routinely flashes red light (and won’t start) if it detects an open door (or a door that is not shut completely).

Suggested solution

This is a no-brainer: You want to check and close the door (if open).

If you have done that and still there is no change, you may need to find out why the door won’t shut the right way.

Now, there are things you can check for if your Bosch dishwasher won’t close including improperly positioned racks, a broken door latch, damaged hinges, and worn-out springs (these need replacement).

And oh, don’t forget to begin troubleshooting the door by investigating if there is an alignment problem (it is sometimes the case) or obvious blockages.

 

But the door closes just fine yet my Bosch dishwasher won’t stop flashing red light on the floor (and won’t work)

Well, if that is what you are experiencing, don’t give up on the machine- there are two simple solutions you can try and see if it will resume working.

Here they are:

Remove all the dishes

The first thing that is worth attempting is removing all the loaded dishes then trying to run your dishwasher empty.

It works, on occasion and it could do the trick.

Reset the dishwasher

Another thing that often helps if your Bosch dishwasher door closes/latches fine but the red light won’t stop flashing continuously is performing a machine reset.

You see, by resetting it, the appliance reloads the settings (and it typically clears the error especially programming errors that may be causing the fault).

And resetting your Bosch dishwasher is straightforward- just press then hold the “Start” button for 3-5 seconds (till the display indicates “0:00”) –with the door shut.

It will now drain the water out (you can hear it draining) and reset the computer system.

An alternative way of resetting the dishwasher is by performing a hard reset-  this involves turning the circuit breaker box off for about 5-7 minutes.

You can then try to re-launch the program.

 

 

What else should you know about your Bosch dishwasher blinking red light?

Sometimes the light does not point to an issue (so there is no cause for alarm if you just bought the appliance and you are seeing this for the first time)

In fact, if you check your manual, there might be a place where Bosch explains that it is normal for the dishwasher to project a red light (below the door) when it is running.

Remember that they tend to be whisper quiet so it makes sense for Bosch to include a light that illuminates as a way of alerting the user the machine is running.

The idea is to keep you from opening the appliance before it has finished the cycle (before it was added, users would open the machine prematurely, thinking a cycle is complete).

Bear in mind that the light normally goes off when the cycle ends.

That said, you should always check if the door is completely closed (first) if you note your Bosch dishwasher flashing red light mid cycle (instead of being solid).  

Quick Tip: It will also blink red and refuse to run if the rinse aid cup is empty and it’s tiny door open!- Make sure you fill the rinse aid cup and then shut its tiny door.

 

Bosch dishwasher not starting red light flashing – useful tips

Time and again, a Bosch dishwasher won’t start a cycle throughout the time the red light is flashing.

You already know what you should prioritize checking: the door (you want it latched correctly).

And you know your next game plan too: resetting it.

However, these two fixes won’t always remedy the situation (the light is, at times, signaling a major malfunction).

You are left with two options in such a scenario: consult a pro (and that can be costly) or try to find out what the trouble is (your manual can be handy here) yourself.

The other helpful procedure you can turn to (if you choose to take matters into your own hands) is running the diagnostic mode on your Bosch dishwasher.

Also known as Bosch SHE dishwasher’ test program, the feature runs a range of tests on the machine and reports back issues via error codes (to help you identify the issue fast).

 

Bosch dishwasher red tap light flashing – what it means           

Now, if what you are spotting is the red tap light flashing and you cannot start a cycle, just understand that water could be flooding in the base.

With that in mind, you will need to empty the water for the red tap light to stop flashing.

Follow these steps:

1. Power down the machine (turn off the breaker).
2. Pull the appliance out (forward).
3. Place absorbent towels on the floor (behind the unit).
4. Now tilt it back about 45 degrees. This will make the water start draining out the machine’s back (wait for all the water to empty).
5. Proceed to reset the appliance as described earlier.

For the most part, this should get rid of the blinking tap light (If it does not, you might again need to engage a handyman to perform advanced troubleshooting).

 

Finally….

You also get the flashing red light and the dishwasher will not start if there is dishwasher sludge (even a small amount) across the top of the control panel in the area of the door latch.

Evidently, there is a sensor there which causes the dishwasher to think the door is not closed, even if it is properly latched.

In that event, the dishwasher behaves as if it is not latched, i.e., the red light flashes and the dishwasher will not start.

The fix is to wipe the control panel clean.

Bosch dishwasher not starting red light flashing (Bosch dishwasher flashing red light) – Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Why is the red light blinking on my Bosch dishwasher?

As mentioned earlier, the main cause of red light blinking on a Bosch dishwasher is a door that is not appropriately closed.

Put another way, your Bosch dishwasher  blinks red as a way of telling you “Hey, please shut my door”.

You can also consider resetting the appliance if shutting the door is not helpful.

PS: There is a gasket at the top of the dishwasher cabinet and it sometimes gets pushed out of place. Simply reposition the gasket properly and you could be of to the races!

 

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