Bosch Dishwasher E18 Error Code — What It Means
E18 tells you the dishwasher did not receive enough water to run the cycle. The fill was too slow or too low for the control board to continue.
Start with the easy stuff like the household shutoff and the inlet screen. If water flow to the house is fine, the inlet valve is the usual culprit.
Common Causes
- Partly closed supply valve The under-sink shutoff is not fully open, so the dishwasher fills too slowly.
- Clogged inlet screen Grit caught in the inlet filter screen chokes the water entering the valve.
- Kinked inlet hose A pinched or frozen fill hose behind the unit limits how much water gets in.
- Low household water pressure Pressure under about twenty psi cannot fill the tub fast enough.
- Faulty water inlet valve A valve that fails to open fully starves the dishwasher of water.
Step-by-Step Fix
- Confirm the under-sink water shutoff is fully open and run the faucet to check flow.
- Cut power at the breaker, then check the fill hose behind the unit for kinks or pinches.
- Shut the water, disconnect the inlet hose, and clean the inlet screen filter at the valve.
- Reconnect everything and run a faucet to confirm steady household pressure.
- Test the inlet valve for 120 volts during fill and confirm it opens when powered.
- Restore power and run a cycle to confirm the tub fills and E18 clears.
Parts Often Needed
| Part | Notes |
|---|---|
| Bosch dishwasher water inlet valve | Amazon | Replace if it gets voltage during fill but will not open. Match the model number. |
| Bosch dishwasher fill hose | Amazon | Swap a hose that stays kinked or is restricted inside. |
| Bosch dishwasher inlet screen filter | Amazon | Use if the screen is damaged and will not clean up. |
When to Call a Pro
If the supply is open, the screen is clean, and the valve still will not fill the tub, the inlet valve or its wiring needs replacement. Call a technician if testing voltage at the valve is outside your comfort zone.