Bosch E26 dishwasher: what it means & what to check

Stop using it for now. Carrying on with this fault risks further damage or a leak. Switch it off at the wall until it has been looked at.

What E26 actually means

The fault attributes E26 to a water switch/regulator problem, so the control board is not getting the signal it expects about the incoming water. The usual outcome is that the programme halts early, often with water still in the tub and dishes untouched. It is a supply-side fault rather than a drainage one, which is what separates it from the E24 and E25 codes that sit next to it in Bosch's own list.

What E26 looks like on a Bosch dishwasher

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Bosch dishwasher, E26 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Dishwasher not draining
Water left in the tub at the end of the cycle
Stops mid-cycle full of water
Standing water in the bottom
Not filling with water
No water going in
Takes for ever to fill
Stops right at the start of the cycle

Recognise any of those? That is this fault, and the rest of this page explains what causes it and what you can check yourself.

What usually causes it

A faulty water switch or regulator on the fill side
Poor water supply to the machine — tap partly closed or a kinked inlet hose
A wiring or connection fault between the switch and the control board
A control board that is misreading the switch signal

What you can safely check yourself

Work through these in order. Anything beyond this — panels off, testing parts, anything to do with the wiring — is an engineer's job, and not one to attempt with the machine plugged in.

Check the water supply tap behind or under the sink is fully open
Look along the inlet hose for a kink or a tight bend, particularly where the machine has been pushed back into its housing
Turn the dishwasher off at the wall for a minute, then switch back on and start a fresh cycle — that clears a one-off reading
Run the kitchen tap to confirm you actually have decent mains pressure at the time the machine fills

Common questions about Bosch E26

What does E26 mean on a Bosch dishwasher?

The dishwasher has flagged a problem with the water switch/regulator — the part that controls and monitors the water going into the machine — and has stopped the cycle rather than carry on filling. The fault attributes E26 to a water switch/regulator problem, so the control board is not getting the signal it expects about the incoming water. The usual outcome is that the programme halts early, often with water still in the tub and dishes untouched. It is a supply-side fault rather than a drainage one, which is what separates it from the E24 and E25 codes that sit next to it in Bosch's own list.

Can I fix Bosch E26 myself?

There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Check the water supply tap behind or under the sink is fully open.
Look along the inlet hose for a kink or a tight bend, particularly where the machine has been pushed back into its housing.
Turn the dishwasher off at the wall for a minute, then switch back on and start a fresh cycle — that clears a one-off reading.
Run the kitchen tap to confirm you actually have decent mains pressure at the time the machine fills.

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.

How much does it cost to repair Bosch E26?

£66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Tried the checks and it's still showing E26?

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried the checks above. Then it wants someone who can open it up.

What it costs, before you call: the price is the same whatever the fault turns out to be — £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Our own engineers, not a call centre. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire — most dishwasher faults are seen same day or next day.

Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need

Outside our area? The explanation above still stands — take it to a local engineer and tell them the code. Knowing it saves them time and you money.

Other Bosch dishwasher codes

All Bosch fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

Repairs we cover near you

Written by the engineers at ASAP Repairs, 0115 648 0929. We repair these machines for a living in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

Bosch E26 error — dishwasher