VERIFIED
What the code is telling you
E15 is tied to the anti-flood protection. Water has reached the base of the dishwasher, and the control has halted the cycle to stop it going further. Think of it as a smoke alarm for water: it is doing its job, and the useful question is where the water came from. The float, a small switch that rises with water in the base, is what tells the control to halt the cycle.
What you may notice
- A cycle that stops partway and will not restart.
- A pump that keeps running briefly even when the cycle seems finished.
- Dampness on the floor in front, or a swollen cabinet edge.
- A musty smell beneath the sink.
First steps, in order
- Switch the dishwasher off at its breaker and close the water supply valve.
- Dry any water you can reach on the floor with towels.
- Look under the sink for drips at the supply connection and the drain hose.
- Check the tub door gasket for a spill line or a bent edge, and clear any item stuck in the door area.
Please do not run the machine to see whether it leaks again. Each run can add water to a base that is already wet and can reach wiring.
Where the water comes from
Possible sources include the door seal, a supply or drain connection, the pump seals, a cracked tub or spray arm splashing out, and overfilling. A leak is not always the machine itself; suds from too much detergent can overflow, and a blocked drain can push water back. A drain that cannot carry water away can force it into places it normally never reaches, so the drain path is checked along with the seals. Sorting these out is the first job of the visit.
Why it is a technician job
To clear the alert, the base must be dried and the source found, and that means opening the unit and testing the float and the connections. Reaching that space is not safe for owners, since water and household voltage sit side by side. The protection is also why the machine may refuse to run again after the base is dry, until the cause is found.
Photographs of any wet spots help. We diagnose, write up an estimate, and replace nothing without your approval.
Fixing a leak early also protects cabinets and flooring, which tend to cost more than the repair itself. See Bertazzoni Dishwasher Repair for how a visit runs.
Before the appointment
Keep the breaker off and the valve closed until the visit, and put a towel under the front edge if the floor is vulnerable. Note the day and the stage when the code first appeared, and whether you recently moved the machine, changed the drain hose or added a disposal.
Do not use a wet-dry vacuum around the base while the power is connected to the unit.
Frequently asked questions
It means water was detected in the base. The source may be a leak, an overfill or suds, which is why it must be traced.
Drying alone will not tell you where the water came from. The cause has to be found.
Yes. Closing the supply valve under the sink prevents more water arriving while you wait.
Not if it is caught quickly and dried. Prolonged moisture is what causes swelling.
Model compatibility: Bertazzoni reuses codes across series and model years, so E15 may mean something different on another appliance or generation. Confirm this against your model’s documentation and record your full model number before acting.
