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 means the leak-protection system has tripped: water has been detected in the base pan and the water inlet is shut off. Check your manual to confirm, then find the source of the leak before you restart it.
Possible causes
- Water in the base pan after a leak — the safety float shuts off the water inlet and the dishwasher won't start.
- Too much foam or rinse aid — suds overflow into the base and trigger leak detection.
- Door seal or spray arm letting water out — water marks show up around the door or under the dishwasher.
- Dripping inlet hose or connector — you'll see moisture at the back or at the water supply valve.
- Stuck base sensor or float — the code stays on even though the pan is dry, even after cleaning and drying.
What to do
- 1Turn off the dishwasher, unplug it or switch off its circuit breaker and shut off the water supply valve; check the manual to confirm what E15 means on your model.
- 2Take out 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 dishwasher gently as the manual allows to drain the base pan, or let it dry overnight.
- 4Check the door seal, the inlet hose and its connectors for moisture; tighten visible connectors by hand only.
- 5Use less detergent, never use regular dish soap, then run a short empty cycle and watch whether the code comes back.
- 6If E15 comes back or the leak continues, keep the water off and the power disconnected, and call a technician or the manufacturer's support line.
Repair or replace?
If the base pan fills again even though the seals and connectors are intact, the leak comes from an internal part that can be expensive to replace. On an older dishwasher, replacing it often beats paying for the repair.
Other common problems in this category
These issues affect the same type of appliance — each one comes with a diagnosis and the steps to take.
- Smart DishwashersMy smart dishwasher isn't drying 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 pod in my smart dishwasher comes out undissolved
Frequently asked questions
Check the manufacturer's warranty first: how long it lasts and what it covers vary by brand and model, so read the terms for yours and keep your proof of purchase. If you bought it new in the EU, a two-year legal guarantee also applies (Directive (EU) 2019/771), covering defects present at delivery, whenever they first show up.
If you're still within the seller's return window, a return or exchange is usually the fastest fix. After that, go through the manufacturer's support team: it handles warranty claims and can often repair the unit even after the warranty has run out. Either way, keep your proof of purchase.
Our public methodology lowers the Nura Score /10 of any model in our Smart Dishwashers guide whose recurring failures show up in owner reviews. A model that breaks down too often never makes it to the top, whatever the brand.
Generally, yes, if you stick to routine maintenance: cleaning, replacing a gasket, recalibrating. Irreversible changes to the hardware are what can cause problems, so read your warranty terms before you open anything up. Anything the manufacturer's manual walks you through is the safe zone.
Your proof of purchase, the exact model name and a record of the symptom: photos, a short video, the sound it makes and any error code. Note when the problem started and what you've already tried. With all that in hand, support can pin down the problem much faster.