Thermador Dishwasher E15: Water in the Base, Safety Switch Tripped

What E15 means

The dishwasher stops mid-job and E15 comes up. Thermador documents this code as the safety switch finding water in the base of the unit. The machine has shut itself down on purpose, since water collecting under the tub is the situation that switch exists to catch before it spreads to the floor or cabinets. Nothing needs to be wrong with your loading for it to appear, because the sensor reads moisture under the tub.

Usual causes of E15

A leak in the tub that has run down into the bottom pan
A worn door seal, or a hose joint that has let go
A float switch reporting water that is not really there, which is less common than a real leak

✓ A safe check worth trying

SAFETY FIRST. 1. Close the water supply valve to the dishwasher right away. 2. Should water be on the kitchen floor, turn the dishwasher's circuit off at the breaker panel. 3. Do not run another cycle just to find out. 4. Mop up any standing water, then call us with the model number and what you noticed.

! Why you should stop here

Another cycle with water already in the base can push a small leak onto the flooring or cabinetry.
Finding the source means getting at the base of the unit, and that is only done with the supply already shut off.

Taking off a panel yourself does not by default void a manufacturer warranty, yet it can lead to accidental damage, and some manufacturers attach their own service terms. Read your warranty paperwork, or ask us, before you decide.

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E15E15 questions

Can the dishwasher stay in use until a technician comes?

No. The manufacturer's instruction is to shut off the water, and that means holding off on further cycles until the source of the water is found.

The floor is dry. Is it still a leak?

Possibly. The base pan collects water before anything shows outside the machine, and the switch is designed to trip at that stage. Treat the code seriously even when the kitchen looks fine.

Could the switch itself be wrong?

Yes, a stuck float can report water that is gone. It is less common than a true leak, so we check for moisture and wear on seals and hoses first, then test the switch.