My dishwasher shows error code E15 and cuts off the water supply
Home Nura guide — category Smart Dishwashers
Diagnosis
On many dishwashers, error code E15 commonly means the leak-protection system has tripped: water has been detected in the base tray and the water inlet is shut off. Check your manual to confirm this, then find the source of the leak before restarting.
Possible causes
- Water in the base tray after a leak — the safety float shuts off the inlet and the machine refuses to start.
- Too much foam or rinse aid — suds overflow into the base and trigger the leak detection.
- Door seal or spray arm letting water out — water marks appear around the door or under the machine.
- Dripping inlet hose or connector — dampness is visible at the back or at the supply tap.
- Stuck base sensor or float — the code stays on although the tray is dry, even after cleaning and drying.
Recommended procedure
- 1Switch the dishwasher off, unplug it and close the water tap; check the manual to confirm what E15 means on your model.
- 2Remove the dishes and racks, soak up any water in the tub with a sponge, then check the spray arms and the filter.
- 3If you can do it safely, tilt the machine gently as the manual allows to drain the base tray, or leave it to dry overnight.
- 4Check the door seal, the inlet hose and its connectors for damp; tighten visible connectors by hand only.
- 5Use less detergent, avoid hand-washing liquid, then run a short empty cycle and watch whether the code returns.
- 6If E15 returns or the leak persists, keep the tap closed and the machine unplugged and call a technician or the manufacturer's support.
Repair or replace?
If the base tray fills again even though seals and connectors are intact, the leak comes from an internal part that can be costly to replace. On an older dishwasher, replacing it often beats the cost of repair.
Other common failures on this category
These incidents affect the same type of appliance — diagnosis and recommended procedure for each.
- Smart DishwashersMy smart dishwasher no longer dries the dishes at the end of the cycle
- Smart DishwashersThe app for my smart dishwasher keeps disconnecting
- Smart DishwashersMy smart dishwasher leaves dishes soaking wet after the drying cycle
- Smart DishwashersThe detergent tablet in my smart dishwasher does not dissolve and stays intact
Frequently asked questions
In Europe, any smart dishwashers bought new from an official reseller benefits from a legal conformity guarantee of at least two years (Directive (EU) 2019/771). This guarantee covers defects present at delivery, whenever they first manifest.
You can pick: European law puts the legal guarantee on the seller, not the manufacturer. In practice, a store return is usually faster, but the manufacturer can repair if the damage is out of warranty. Keep proof of purchase.
Our public methodology adds a Nura Score /10 penalty to any smart dishwashers whose recurring failures are documented in European user feedback. A model that breaks too often never tops our charts, brand notwithstanding.
Yes, within the limits of the European "right to repair": routine maintenance tasks (cleaning, gasket replacement, calibration) never void the legal warranty. Only irreversible hardware modifications can be a problem. For a smart dishwashers, any handling documented in the manufacturer's manual stays covered.
The directive imposes a two-year legal conformity guarantee, with a presumption of pre-existing defect during the first twelve months — the burden of proof is on the seller. For a smart dishwashers that breaks in that window, you're entitled to free repair or replacement, no strings attached on typical use.