What Bosch E13 error means on your dishwasher
Error code E13 indicates that the dishwasher has detected water temperature exceeding the safe operating threshold. The NTC temperature sensor measures the incoming water temperature at the start of the fill cycle and continuously during heating. When the reading exceeds approximately 75°C (167°F), the control board triggers E13 and aborts the cycle to prevent damage to plastic components, seals, and dishes. If you encounter the bosch e13 error, professional Bosch dishwasher repair may be needed.
Symptoms
- The cycle stops shortly after starting or during the wash phase
- E13 appears on the display
- Dishes may feel unusually hot when you open the door
- Plastic items on the lower rack may show warping or distortion
- Steam may be visible when opening the door mid-cycle
Common causes
- Connected to hot water line — the dishwasher is plumbed to the hot water supply instead of cold. Bosch dishwashers have built-in heaters and are designed for cold water connections (or max 60°C / 140°F hot water on some models)
- Water heater set too high — the home water heater temperature exceeds 60°C / 140°F, and the dishwasher is on a hot water connection
- Faulty NTC temperature sensor — the thermistor gives false high readings, making the control board believe the water is dangerously hot when it is not
- Heating element stuck on — in rare cases, a relay on the control board fails closed, keeping the heating element energized continuously
See all Bosch dishwasher error codes for related fault codes and diagnostic steps.
Troubleshooting steps you can try
- Verify the water connection — check under the sink to confirm whether the dishwasher supply hose connects to the cold or hot water valve. If it is on the hot side, either switch it to cold or lower your water heater to 120°F (49°C).
- Test the water temperature — run the kitchen hot tap and measure the temperature with a kitchen thermometer. Water above 140°F (60°C) is too hot for the dishwasher.
- Reset the dishwasher — turn off the breaker for 5 minutes, then power back on. If the sensor gave a one-time false reading, the reset will clear it.
- Run a cold water test — if the dishwasher is on a cold connection and E13 still appears, run cold water at the sink first for 30 seconds, then start the dishwasher. In homes with long pipe runs, the water in the pipe can heat up from ambient conditions.
- Check Bosch support — visit Bosch’s official dishwasher support page for model-specific troubleshooting guides and tech notes.
When to call a technician
If E13 persists after confirming the water supply is within safe temperature range, the NTC sensor likely needs replacement. The sensor is a small thermistor mounted on or near the heating element assembly. A technician will measure its resistance — at room temperature, a working Bosch NTC sensor reads approximately 5–6 kΩ. A wildly different reading confirms the sensor has failed. In rare cases, a stuck heating relay on the control board is the cause, which requires board replacement. Codes may vary by model generation and series. Schedule a certified Bosch technician for fast, reliable diagnosis and repair.
