During normal operation, the Bosch dishwasher displays a steady (non-flashing) red light to show that all is well. You, however, worry if it’s a Bosch dishwasher not starting red light flashing, as that often points to a fault.
Your Bosch dishwasher might be flashing red light and failing to start due to a software bug, error code, unlatched door, low Rinse Aid, failed water supply, clogging, non-responsive touchpad, burnt heating element, faulty drain pump, or defective circuit board.
So, you should make ten essential checks in the order I mentioned above. Of course, we start with the most straightforward checks, which don’t require expert skill.
But overall, everything is DIY, and that’s where this Bosch dishwasher troubleshooting guide comes in. First, let’s see what it means when your Bosch dishwasher blinks red.
In a rush? Check out the ten reasons your Bosch dishwasher flashes the Info Light but won’t start in the table below.
Quick Troubleshooting Guide for A Bosch Dishwasher Not Starting Red Light Flashing
| – | Likely Cause | Quick Fix |
| 1. | Software Bug | Reset the dishwasher |
| 2. | Error Code | Reset the dishwasher and if the error won’t disappear, research its meaning and act accordingly |
| 3. | Unlatched Door | Clean around the dishwasher door and replace a defective door latch, door switch, hinge, or spring |
| 4. | Low Rinse Aid | Refill the Rinse Aid dispenser |
| 5. | Failed Water Supply | Turn on the water supply and unkink the inlet hose |
| 6. | Dishwasher Clogging | Unobstruct the spray arms and clean the dishwasher filter |
| 7. | Non-Responsive Touchpad | Replace the touchpad, and if it’s attached to the control panel, replace both |
| 8. | Burnt Heating Element | Inspect the heating element with a multimeter and replace it if it shows no continuity |
| 9. | Faulty Drain Pump | Clean the drain pump and replace it if it’s faulty |
| 10. | Defective Circuit Breaker | Replace the circuit board as your last option |
What Does a Blinking Red Light Mean On Bosch Dishwasher?
Bosch dishwashers have an Info Light at the bottom, which reflects onto the floor to show the condition of the cycle. If the dishwasher is running normally, the red light will be steady.
However, if the cycle is interrupted or something stops the dishwasher from running, the indicator light will start blinking. So, you’ve to determine why the cycle won’t complete or, in our caste, why the dishwasher won’t start, and that’s what we will talk about next.
10 Reasons Your Bosch Dishwasher Won’t Start Blinking Red Light
Now, consider these ten issues if your Bosch dishwasher won’t start but flashes the Info Light on the floor:
1. Software Bug
Your dishwasher can freeze its setting just like a computer does, and once that’s the case, it may blink red but fail to start. So, the issue could be a software bug, which is fixable with a reset.
Fix
Consider resetting your Bosch dishwasher using any of these two options:
- Option 1 – Power off the dishwasher, plug it out for 10 minutes, then plug it back in and turn it on.
- Option 2 – Turn off Control Lock if it’s on and press Cancel + Drain for 3 seconds. Close the door for 1 minute and then open it before pressing on/off for 3 seconds.
2. Error Code
Sometimes your Bosch dishwasher will blink red without starting because of an error code that stops it from running. So, you’ll need to check the control panel to identify any error codes and try to troubleshoot them.
Fix
First, reset your dishwasher to see if the error code will disappear. If it doesn’t, check its meaning in your manual and try to troubleshoot it.
3. Unlatched Door
Your Bosch dishwasher won’t start if it detects an unlatched door. It could be that the door won’t close all the way because of dirt and food clogging. If that’s not it, it could be that the door latch is damaged and, therefore, can’t firmly engage, or perhaps the door switch is defective.
And if none of those, it could be that the door hinge or door springs are worn out, thus preventing the door from latching.
Fix
Consider cleaning around the door to remove dirt and food clog. If the door latch is damaged or the door hinge or springs are worn out, replace them too. As for the door switch, check if it has continuity before replacing it.
4. Low Rinse Aid
If the Rinse Aid dispenser runs dry or only has little Rinse Aid, the dishwasher won’t start and may flash a red light to indicate that you should refill it.
Fix
Open the dishwasher Rinse Aid dispenser to check the Rinse Aid level and refill it to the max line if the level is lower.
5. Failed Water Supply
An adequate water supply is essential for the running of your Bosch dishwasher. If the dishwasher doesn’t get sufficient water, it won’t start and may only blink the red light instead.
Therefore, you should check if the water supply tap is on as it could be off. And if that’s not the issue, the inlet hose could be kinked.
Fix
Check if the water supply tap is off and turn it on. While at it, check the inlet hose for kinking and straighten it out.
6. Dishwasher Clogging
The dishwasher might refuse to run if it detects excessive clogging around the spray arms or filters. In the case of the spray arms, the food detergent and grease clogging stops them from spraying water over the dishes, and so the dishwasher won’t run.
Instead, it’ll blink red; the same goes for a clogged filter.
Fix
Inspect the spray arms and filter from clogging and clean them.
7. Non Responsive Touchpad
If you are trying to touch the touchpad and none of the buttons are responding, and the red light won’t stop flashing, the touchpad is likely defective. In some cases, the touchpad and the control panel fail at the same time.
Fix
Replace the touchpad if it’s unresponsive, but you’ll have to replace the two simultaneously if it’s attached to the control panel.
8. Burnt Heating Element
Before the dishwasher can start running, the water has to heat up. That’s only possible if the heating element works, as it is to heat the water.
Sometimes, however, the heating element may burn out, thus making it unable to get the water hot. If that’s the case, the dishwasher won’t start.
Fix
Using a multimeter, check if the heating element has continuity. Replace it if it doesn’t.
9. Faulty Drain Pump
The drain pump can stop the dishwasher from starting if something is wrong. Perhaps it’s a clog that prevents the drain pump from pumping out water, or it could be that the pump itself is damaged.
Fix
Check the drain pump for clogging and clean it correctly. However, replace it if it’s damaged. You can test the pump motor with a multimeter to see if it lacks continuity. If so, then replace the pump.
10. Defective Circuit Board
Lastly, your Bosch dishwasher might be flashing red light and failing to start because the circuit board no longer works. This board might have been short-circuited and thus unable to control the various dishwasher components responsible for starting.
Fix
Replace the dishwasher circuit board as your last option.
Bosch Dishwasher Not Starting Red Light Flashing After Reset
As shared above, you can reset your Bosch dishwasher to fix a software bug or error code situation and stop it from blinking. However, if it continues flashing after resetting and won’t start, you must perform other checks.
That includes latching the door properly if it’s open (even slightly), refilling the Rinse Aid if the dispensary is empty, and cleaning the spray arms and filter to unclog them.
Also, check the water supply and turn on the tap (if it’s off) and unkink the inlet hose if it’s kinked.
Bosch Dishwasher Red Light On Floor Blinking
The red light on your Bosch dishwasher will start blinking on the floor, indicating an interrupted cleaning cycle. It shows that something has stopped the dishwasher from continuing the cleaning cycle, which could be a power loss.
Or, it could be an inadequate Rinse Aid or a dispenser fault if it’s not a power loss. And if it’s neither of these, then the water inlet valve could be defective. But first, consider rebooting the dishwasher after confirming there’s power.
Other Bosch Dishwasher Flashing Lights
Bosch Dishwasher Flashing Time
A Bosch dishwasher will flash the time icon to indicate a low water supply pressure, defective door seal, or burnt heating element. If it’s none of those, it could be due to a drain pump fault.
Bosch Dishwasher Flashing Top Light
If the tap light flashes on your Bosch dishwasher, it’s likely due to a failed water supply. In that case, check if the water supply is on and turn it off. Then see if the inlet hose is kinked and stretch it out. Also, clean the drain pump, filter, and hose from clogging.
Bosch Dishwasher Flashing Brush Light
The brush LED will appear steady to indicate a running wash cycle. However, if there’s a clogged drain, the brush light will start blinking to show that you should clean it up. So, inspect the drain and unclog it when you see this indicator light.
Bosch Dishwasher Flashing Rinse Aid
You can tell when the Rinse Aid level drops as the indicator flashes. In such a case, you should open the dispenser and refill the Rinse Aid.
Bosch Dishwasher Flashing Active Light
The active light flashes on your Bosch dishwasher when there’s a stick float. Sometimes the float could be damaged, so you must check its condition to determine the right action.
People Also Ask
1. Why Is My Bosch Dishwasher Blinking Red?
Your Bosch dishwasher blinks red because something stops it from completing a wash cycle or starting. The issue could be a power loss, software bug, error code, unsecured door, or unresponsive touchpad. And if it’s none of those, it could be a clogged filter or spray arms.
2. What to Do When Bosch Dishwasher Won’t Start?
If your Bosch dishwasher doesn’t start, check if it has power. If it has, check if the Control Lock is active and turn it off. Also, check if Delay Start is on and cancel it. Then check if the door is loosely latched and latch it properly.
3. How Do I Hard Reset My Bosch Dishwasher?
You can hard reset your Bosch dishwasher by powering it off and unplugging it for at least 10 minutes. Then plug it back and turn it on.
Closing Thought On the Bosch Dishwasher Not Starting Red Light Flashing:
Generally, the above ten issues are worth checking when your Bosch dishwasher doesn’t start but only flashes the Info Light. Consider that it could be because of a software hitch or error code, which you can fix with a reset.
If not, check for an open door, insufficient Rinse Aid, lack of water, obstruction, or a non-working touchpad, heating element, drain pump, or circuit board.
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