Bosch Dishwasher Not Spraying Water

When you put dirty dishes in your Bosch dishwasher, start the cycle, then open it, the water doesn’t spray? There has been a growing number of Bosch dishwasher complaints about this issue.

We’ll explain why your Bosch dishwasher may not spray water, how to diagnose the problem, and how to fix it.

We will also give you some tips on how to prevent this issue from happening again in the future.

Potential Causes for Bosch Dishwasher Not Spraying Water

Here are some of the most common causes:

Clogged Spray Arms

The spray arms are the parts that spin and spray water onto the dishes. They have small holes or nozzles that can get clogged by food particles, grease, or mineral deposits over time.

This can reduce the water pressure and coverage, resulting in poor cleaning performance.

Defective Water Pump

The water pump is the part that circulates the water from the tub to the spray arms and back. It can wear out or malfunction due to age, usage, or power surges.

If the pump is not working properly, it may not be able to deliver enough water to the spray arms, or it may leak water onto the floor.

Faulty Water Inlet Valve

The water inlet valve is the part that controls the amount of water that enters the dishwasher from the main water supply.

It can get damaged or clogged by debris, sediment, or hard water. It may not allow enough water to fill the tub, or it may cause flooding or overfilling if the valve isn’t working.

Kinked or Leaking Hose

The hose is the part that connects the water inlet valve to the dishwasher. It can get kinked, twisted, or punctured by sharp objects or rodents.

If the hose is damaged, it may restrict or leak water, affecting the water pressure and flow.

Obstructed Water Path

The water path is the route that the water takes from the inlet valve to the spray arms and back to the drain.

It can get obstructed by large or hard objects, such as utensils, bones, glass shards, or coins.

Water may not reach the spray arms or drain properly if something blocks the water path.

Electronic or Software Issues

Dishwasher electronic or software issues involve the control panel, circuit board, sensors, or software.

Dishwashers can experience various problems due to these problems, such as not starting, stopping mid-cycle, or not responding to commands.

Your dishwasher may not spray water correctly if there is an electronic or software problem.

Steps to Diagnose the Problem

Here are some steps you can take to diagnose a Bosch dishwasher that doesn’t spray water:

Visual Inspection

Visually inspect your dishwasher for any signs of damage or blockage. You will need to unplug it and turn it off.

You will then need to check the various parts of your dishwasher that may affect the water spraying function. The spray arms, which spin and spray water onto dishes, need to be cleaned under running water.

You must remove them from their sockets. Food particles, grease, or mineral deposits can clog holes or nozzles.

You will need to use a toothpick or a small brush to clear them out. If they are cracked, broken, or missing any parts, you will need to replace them with new ones.

Functional Tests

Using a water pressure gauge, measure the water pressure at your dishwasher’s faucet. If it is too low or too high, you may need to adjust it.

Let the dishwasher fill with water. Check the water level in the tub. It should be about an inch below the heating element. If it is too low or too high, you may have a problem with the water inlet valve.

Make sure the water temperature is between 120 and 150 degrees Fahrenheit in the tub. The heating element, thermostat, or water heater may be malfunctioning if it is too low or too high.

You might have a problem with the water pump, the hose, or the spray arms if the spray arms do not spin. After closing the door, check if the spray arms are spinning and spraying water.

Checking Error Codes

The third step is to check for any error codes that your dishwasher may display on its control panel or LED screen.

These codes can help you identify the source of your problem and guide you to the appropriate solution.

Using Diagnostic Modes

In the fourth step, test the dishwasher’s components and functions using the diagnostic mode.

These modes can help you troubleshoot your problem and confirm your diagnosis. You can find instructions on how to enter and use Bosch dishwasher diagnostic modes.

How to Fix a Bosch Dishwasher Not Spraying Water?

The following are some possible solutions to each of these problems:

Cleaning Spray Arms

Remove them from their sockets and rinse them under running water. If holes or nozzles are clogged with food particles, grease, or mineral deposits, use a toothpick or small brush.

Soak them in a solution of vinegar and water for an hour to dissolve any stubborn residue. Rinse them again and reinstall them in their sockets.

Replacing Water Pump

Remove any panel or screws covering the pump at the bottom of your dishwasher. Turn it off and unplug it. Disconnect any wires and hoses that are attached to the pump.

Remove any mounting bolts or clips that are holding the pump in place. Pull out the old pump and replace it with a new one.

Reconnect any wires and hoses that were disconnected from the pump. Secure any mounting bolts or clips that were removed from the pump.

Replace any panels or screws that were removed from covering the pump.

Fixing or Replacing Water Inlet Valve

Turn off and unplug your dishwasher. Turn off the main water supply to your dishwasher. Remove the lower kick panel from behind your dishwasher.

Locate the valve behind the panel and disconnect it from its wires and hoses. If the valve is clogged, try cleaning it with a needle or a wire brush.

If it is damaged, replace it with a new one. Reconnect any wires and hoses that were disconnected from the valve. Replace the lower kick panel.

Repairing or Replacing Hose

Turn off and unplug your dishwasher. Turn off the main water supply to your dishwasher. Remove any panels or screws that are covering the hose at either end of its connection.

Disconnect any clamps or fittings that are holding the hose in place. If the hose is kinked, try straightening it out. If it is leaking, try sealing it with duct tape or epoxy glue. If it is punctured, replace it with a new one.

Reconnect any clamps or fittings that were holding the hose in place. Replace any panels or screws that were covering the hose.

Clearing Obstructions

Turn off and unplug your dishwasher. Remove any racks or baskets from the tub. Look for any objects that may be blocking the water flow from the inlet valve to the spray arms and back to the drain.

These may include utensils, bones, glass shards, coins, or labels. Use a pair of pliers or tweezers to carefully remove any obstructions.

Be careful not to damage any parts or cut yourself. Replace any racks or baskets in the tub.

Resetting or Updating Software

Turn off and unplug your dishwasher. Press and hold the start button for a few seconds until you hear a beep or see a light flash.

This will reset your dishwasher to its factory settings. Plug in and turn on your dishwasher. Check if the problem is resolved. If not, you may need to update your software.

To update your software, you will need a USB flash drive and a computer with internet access.

Tips to Prevent Future Issues with Water Spraying

To avoid future problems with your Bosch dishwasher not spraying water, follow these tips.

Regular Maintenance

Depending on how often you use your dishwasher, clean the spray arms, filter, and drain. You can use vinegar, baking soda, or commercial cleaners to remove any residue or deposits.

Every few months or years, check for damage or blockages in the water pump, water inlet valve, and hose. You can replace any worn or faulty parts as needed.

Make sure your dishwasher is free of loose wires, burnt parts, and error codes every few months or years. You can repair or replace any damaged parts as needed.

Proper Loading Techniques

Scrape off any large or hard food particles from your dishes before loading them. This will prevent them from clogging the spray arms or obstructing the water path.

Load your dishes according to the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations. You can find them in your user manual or online.

Smaller and lighter items go on the top rack, while utensils go in the cutlery basket. You should also leave some space between each item for better water circulation.

Do not overload your dishwasher or stack your dishes too high. This will prevent them from blocking the spray arms or interfering with their rotation.

Periodic Software Updates

You should update your software periodically to ensure that your dishwasher is running smoothly and efficiently.

Software updates can fix bugs, improve performance, add features, or enhance security. Check for updates manually by using the control panel or LED screen of your dishwasher.

You can find instructions on how to do this in your user manual or online. Enable automatic updates by using the Home Connect app on your smartphone or tablet.

Use a USB flash drive and a computer with internet access to download and install updates manually.

Using Quality Dishwashing Products

Use detergent that is designed for dishwashers and follow the dosage instructions on the package. Using too much or too little detergent can affect cleaning performance and cause residue buildup.

You can also use detergent pods or tablets for convenience and accuracy. Rinse aid reduces water spots, increases drying time, and prevents corrosion in dishwashers.

You can adjust the rinse aid dispenser setting according to your needs. Use salt that is specially formulated for dishwashers and water softeners.

Salt helps soften hard water and prevent scale formation on your appliance. If you notice white streaks on your dishes or the indicator light comes on, refill the salt container.

Water Hardness and Softening Solutions

You can find them online or at your local hardware store. You can also contact your water supplier or check their website for this information.

Water hardness can be reduced with a water softener. A water softener removes or replaces minerals in your water with sodium or potassium.

You can install a whole-house water softener or a point-of-use water softener for your dishwasher. You can find them online or at your local hardware store.

You can adjust the dishwasher settings to match the water hardness level in your area. If you have hard water, you should increase the temperature, detergent, rinse aid, and salt dosage.

Preventative Replacement of Worn Parts

Your dishwasher’s worn or damaged parts need to be replaced before they cause bigger problems. Replace the spray arms if they are cracked, broken, or missing any holes or nozzles.

If the water pump leaks, is noisy or doesn’t work at all, you should replace it. This will improve the water pressure and coverage.

The water inlet valve should be replaced if it leaks, clogs, or does not open or close properly. Replace kinked, twisted, punctured, or leaking hoses.

Replace loose, burned, or damaged electronic components to prevent low pressure and leaks. Make sure enough water flows to and from the dishwasher.

This will ensure that your dishwasher is operating correctly and prevent errors or malfunctions.

FAQs About Bosch Dishwasher Not Spraying Water

Conclusion

Clogged spray arms and faulty water pumps may cause Bosch dishwashers not to spray water. By diagnosing the problem effectively, you can often implement a fix yourself.

Clean your dishwasher’s spray arms regularly, update its software, and load it properly to prevent future issues.