Bosch Dishwasher E17 Error Code: Causes and Fixes

The E17 error on your Bosch dishwasher points to a fault with water entering the machine — usually a kinked inlet hose, low water pressure, or a stuck float inside the tub. A 10-minute check covers the easy fixes before you call out a technician.

What the E17 error means

Bosch dishwashers monitor how fast water enters the tub at the start of each cycle. If too little or too much arrives in the expected window, E17 displays. Bosch’s official guidance specifies a target water flow rate of about 2.6 gallons per minute (10 liters) at the inlet — anything significantly under or over can trigger the code. The fault is in the supply path or the float that detects fill level, not the dishwasher’s electronics.

Common causes

• Kinked or damaged inlet hose behind the machine
• Supply valve not fully open
• Stuck float switch inside the tub
• Grease or debris restricting the float chamber pipe
• Excessive household water pressure
• Faulty water inlet valve not opening fully

How to fix the E17 error

1. Check the inlet hose. Pull the dishwasher out gently and inspect the full length of the inlet hose. Straighten any kinks, check for crushes against the wall, and confirm the hose isn’t damaged.
2. Confirm the supply valve is fully on. The shutoff valve behind or under the sink should be all the way open. Half-open valves reduce flow below the 2.6 gpm Bosch expects.
3. Reset the dishwasher. Disconnect from power for a few minutes, then plug back in. Resets clear one-off fill faults caused by a brief pressure drop.
4. Check the float inside the tub. Remove the bottom rack and look for the small plastic float on the floor of the tub. It should sit flat and lift freely. If grease or debris is holding it up, wipe it clean and confirm it drops back.
5. Test the supply pressure. Disconnect the inlet hose into a bucket and turn the valve on for 30 seconds. If you don’t get roughly 1.3 gallons in that time, household water pressure is the issue, not the dishwasher.
6. If E17 persists after all checks, the inlet valve has likely failed and the job is past quick DIY. Call a qualified technician.

FAQ

What water pressure does a Bosch dishwasher need?
Bosch specifies a flow rate of 2.6 gallons per minute (10 liters) at the inlet. Most US household supplies hit this comfortably, but old plumbing or partly closed shutoff valves can drop the flow below the threshold and trigger E17.

Will running the faucet clear the float?
Sometimes — running the kitchen faucet for a few minutes lets sediment settle in the float chamber. If the float was sticking on detergent residue, it may drop back. If not, you’ll need to wipe it manually.

Is E17 the same as E16?
They’re closely related. E16 means the dishwasher is filling without being asked to (uncontrolled water entry), and E17 means the controlled fill isn’t working properly. Bosch groups them together in their support documentation because the diagnostic path overlaps.