Bosch Dishwasher E13 Error Code — What It Means
E13 means the water coming into the dishwasher is too hot, above about 167 degrees Fahrenheit. The machine is built to heat cold water itself, so hot supply water can damage internal parts.
The most common reason is the dishwasher was plumbed to a hot water line. If it is on cold and still throws E13, the temperature sensor is reading wrong.
Common Causes
- Connected to a hot water line The dishwasher was plumbed to the hot supply instead of the cold line.
- Water heater set too high An extremely hot household water heater pushes inlet temperature past the limit.
- Faulty temperature sensor A bad NTC sensor reports a falsely high water temperature to the board.
- Sensor wiring fault A shorted or loose sensor connection skews the temperature reading.
- Cross-connected plumbing A mixing valve or crossed line under the sink feeds hot water into the cold supply.
Step-by-Step Fix
- Cut power at the breaker before checking the plumbing.
- Trace the dishwasher supply line under the sink and confirm it connects to the cold valve.
- If it is on hot, reroute the supply to the cold line and reconnect.
- Check the household water heater is not set to an extreme temperature.
- If the supply is cold and E13 persists, test the temperature sensor for correct resistance with a meter.
- Restore power and run a cycle to confirm E13 clears.
Parts Often Needed
| Part | Notes |
|---|---|
| Bosch dishwasher temperature sensor NTC | Amazon | Replace if the sensor reads out of range on a cold supply. Match the model number. |
| Bosch dishwasher sensor wiring harness | Amazon | Use if the sensor connection is shorted or corroded. |
| Bosch dishwasher fill hose for cold supply | Amazon | Order if rerouting the supply requires a fresh hose. |
When to Call a Pro
If the dishwasher is confirmed on cold water and the sensor checks out but E13 stays, the reading fault may be on the control board. Have a technician or plumber confirm the supply and test the board.