Bosch Silence Plus 44 dBA Won't Start? Here's What to Do Now

You press the button on your Bosch Silence Plus 44 dBA, and nothing happens. You feel frustrated, maybe even worried. I get it, I’ve been there. But don’t worry, there’s good news. Most of the time, it’s something simple. Maybe a door isn’t closed tight, or there’s a small issue with power. In this article, you’ll learn exactly what causes your Bosch Silence Plus 44 dBA to not start, and how to fix it. This easy guide will help you bring your dishwasher back to life today.

Check the Power Connection and Circuit Breaker

Your Bosch Silence Plus 44 dBA may not start if it’s not getting power. Many people forget to look at this first, but it’s actually the most common reason. Think about it like this: if your dishwasher has no power, it can’t even turn on to show an error light. You may think it’s broken, but really, it just can’t wake up.

Start by looking at the wall socket. Make sure the dishwasher is plugged in all the way. Sometimes, someone may have unplugged it by accident. It could also be a loose plug that looks connected but isn’t. Try unplugging it, then plugging it back in firmly.

Next, go to your home’s circuit breaker panel. This is the box where all your home’s power switches are. Look for the one labeled “dishwasher” or “kitchen”. If it’s in the middle or off position, that means it tripped. This can happen after a power surge or if too many machines were used at once. Just flip it back to the on position.

You can also try plugging in another device (like a toaster) into the same outlet. If the toaster doesn’t work, then you know the problem is with the power supply. If it works, your dishwasher has power and the issue is inside.

Sometimes, homes have a GFCI outlet near the sink. It has a small reset button. If that outlet trips, it can stop power to nearby outlets. Press the reset button and then check your dishwasher again.

Also, listen for any beeping or lights. If your dishwasher is totally silent and dark, then it’s definitely not getting any power.

Make sure the dishwasher is fully plugged in.
Check the circuit breaker and reset it if it has tripped.
Test the outlet using another small appliance.
Look for a GFCI outlet and press reset if needed.
Listen for beeps or lights when pressing the power button.

Make Sure the Door is Closed Properly

One small click can make all the difference. Your Bosch Silence Plus 44 dBA won’t start if the door isn’t fully closed or locked. It may seem like it’s shut, but it could still be just slightly open. The machine is designed to not run unless it knows the door is safe and sealed.

When you close the door, push it gently but firmly until you hear a click. That sound means the latch is locked in place. If you don’t hear it, open the door and check the latch area for any dirt, soap, or food bits that may be blocking it.

The latch itself can also become loose or worn out over time. If you try to start the machine and nothing happens, try holding the door tightly and pressing start again. If it works this way, then the latch may need to be replaced.

Another thing to check is how the racks are loaded. If a plate or pan is sticking out, it might press against the door and stop it from closing all the way. Slide out the top and bottom racks, reload them neatly, and try again.

Also check the rubber seal around the door. This is what helps keep the water inside, but if it’s bent or twisted, the door might not close right. Press it gently back into place if needed.

Push the door until you hear a click.
Check the latch area for food or soap build-up.
Try holding the door tightly when pressing start.
Reload racks to make sure nothing is sticking out.
Inspect the rubber seal and press it back into place.

Look at the Control Panel for Errors

Your Bosch Silence Plus 44 dBA may be trying to tell you what’s wrong, but you need to read the signs. The control panel often flashes lights or shows error codes when there is a problem. These codes can help you fix it faster.

Start by pressing the Power button. If the panel lights up, that means power is not the issue. Look for blinking lights or a code like E15, E24, or others. Each one means something different.

For example, E15 means there is water in the bottom tray. This might make your dishwasher not start because it thinks there is a leak. In that case, you’ll need to tilt the dishwasher slightly backward to let the water drain. Then try again.

If the child lock is on, nothing will happen when you press buttons. Look for a little key symbol or the word “CL” on the screen. To turn it off, press and hold the start button or the specific buttons in your model’s manual for 3 to 5 seconds.

Another issue could be delay start. If someone accidentally set it, the dishwasher will wait before starting. Cancel it by pressing Start and holding it for a few seconds.

If none of the buttons respond, it might mean the control panel itself is faulty. This can happen after a power surge or just over time. You might need to replace the control panel if no lights or functions work at all.

Look for blinking lights or error codes.
E15 means water leak, and dishwasher won’t start.
Check for child lock or delay start settings.
Cancel any delay start by holding Start button.
Control panel might need replacement if unresponsive.

Clean and Reset the Dishwasher

Sometimes your Bosch Silence Plus 44 dBA just needs a reset. It’s like giving it a little nap to fix its thinking. A reset can clear out small errors or problems that stop it from starting.

To reset your Bosch dishwasher, press and hold the Start button for 3 to 5 seconds. You’ll hear a beep, and lights might flash. This tells you the machine is canceling the current cycle and going back to ready mode.

After that, open the door for a few seconds, then close it and try starting a new cycle. If it works, the reset fixed the problem.

It also helps to do a little cleaning. Open the bottom of the dishwasher and remove the filter. It can get clogged with food, grease, and soap over time. Turn it gently and pull it out. Rinse it under warm water and brush off any dirt.

Check the spray arms too. They have little holes that spray water. Use a toothpick to clear any food stuck inside. Also wipe around the door seal and the inside walls.

Sometimes, dishwashers stop working when sensors get blocked by dirt. A clean machine runs better and avoids small problems that can make it stop.

Hold the Start button for 3 to 5 seconds to reset.
Open and close the door after resetting.
Clean the filter and remove grease and food.
Clear spray arm holes with a toothpick.
Wipe inside the dishwasher and door seal.

Test the Water Supply and Float Switch

Your Bosch Silence Plus 44 dBA needs water to run. If water is not coming in, the machine will not start. Even if everything else looks fine, no water means no washing.

First, check the water supply valve. This is usually under your sink. Make sure it’s turned on all the way. If it’s even partly closed, the dishwasher may not get enough water to begin a cycle.

Next, pull the dishwasher out slightly and look at the water inlet hose. Make sure it’s not twisted, bent, or blocked. If the hose is damaged or pinched, water can’t flow in.

Inside the dishwasher, look for the float switch. It’s a small plastic part usually on the bottom corner inside. This switch tells the dishwasher how much water is inside. If it’s stuck in the up position, the machine will think it’s already full of water and will not start.

Wiggle the float switch gently. It should move up and down freely. If it’s stuck, clean around it. Sometimes small food pieces or hard water build-up can stop it from working right.

If none of these things help, the water inlet valve may be broken. This part lets water in when it’s needed. If it fails, a new one may be needed.

Turn on the water supply valve under the sink.
Make sure the water hose is not bent or blocked.
Check and clean the float switch inside the tub.
Make sure float moves up and down easily.
Replace inlet valve if water is not coming in.

Try Running a Diagnostic Test

If nothing else works, your Bosch Silence Plus 44 dBA has a secret mode to help you. It’s called the diagnostic test. This mode checks all the parts of the machine and can help find what’s wrong.

To run the diagnostic test, you need to press a special set of buttons. It’s a little different for each model, but usually, you press the Power button, then quickly press two other buttons at the same time like “Regular” and “Delicate”.

Hold them for 3 to 5 seconds. The lights will flash, and the machine will begin testing itself. It checks the door, water, heater, drain, and other parts.

Watch what happens. If it stops in the middle or gives a flashing light, that tells you where the problem is. You can search your model number online and find a list of error codes.

After the test, turn off the machine, wait 10 seconds, then turn it on again. Try running a normal cycle.

This test helps you understand if you need to replace something, like a sensor, motor, or the board. If it passes the test but still won’t start, you may need a professional repair.

Press special button combo to enter diagnostic mode.
Watch for flashing lights or cycle stops.
Each code tells you what part has an issue.
Turn off and restart the machine after test.
Helps find deep problems needing repair.

Final Thoughts

Fixing a Bosch Silence Plus 44 dBA that won’t start is not as hard as it seems. Most times, the problem is small, like a loose door or no power. By checking step by step, you can find the issue fast. From power to water to control settings, this guide helps you understand what to do. With a little time and care, you can bring your dishwasher back to life and enjoy clean dishes again. Don’t panic — just go one thing at a time, and you’ll fix it.

Checkpoint	What to Do	Tools Needed	Fix Time	Signs It Works
Power Supply	Plug in and reset breaker	None	5 mins	Lights turn on
Door Lock	Push until click, clean latch	Cloth, brush	10 mins	Machine starts
Control Panel	Look for codes, reset buttons	None	5 mins	Buttons respond
Cleaning & Reset	Hold Start, clean filter & arms	Toothbrush	15 mins	New cycle starts
Water Supply & Float	Open valve, check hose, clean float	Sponge	10 mins	Water sound during start
Diagnostic Test	Press correct buttons, read codes	Manual (optional)	10 mins	Error codes or cycle runs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it normal for the Bosch Silence Plus 44 dBA to be silent when off?

Yes, this dishwasher is made to be very quiet. So when it’s off, or even when waiting to start, you may hear nothing at all. That’s normal. But if you press buttons and nothing lights up, then it’s not just being quiet — it may have no power. Always check the plug, the breaker, and even the wall outlet. Silence is good during a cycle, but total silence with no lights is a sign of no power.

Can a locked door stop my dishwasher from starting?

Yes, the door must be fully closed and latched or the machine won’t start. Even if it looks closed, it might not be clicked into place. This is for safety, so water doesn’t spill out. If the latch is dirty or loose, clean it and try again. Sometimes holding the door tight and pressing start can help test if the latch is the problem. A new latch can fix this for good.

Do I need to reset the dishwasher after a power outage?

Yes, sometimes after a power cut, your Bosch Silence Plus may freeze or show an error. The best way is to press and hold the Start button for 3 to 5 seconds. This resets the machine and clears old cycles. If nothing happens after that, unplug the machine for 10 minutes, then plug it back in. This helps refresh the control board inside.

Is it bad to open the door mid-cycle?

It’s not harmful if you open the door gently. The machine will stop the cycle, and no water should spill out. But doing this too often can confuse the machine or cause a small leak. If you open the door a lot, the latch or seal may wear out faster. Always wait for the cycle to finish, if you can. If you must open it, close it quickly and restart the cycle.

Can the control panel go bad over time?

Yes, just like other machines, the buttons and electronics inside the panel can wear out. If none of the buttons work, or if lights flash randomly, your control panel may be faulty. You can try resetting the machine first. If that doesn’t help, you might need a new panel. It’s best to call a repair person unless you are confident with replacing parts.

Do I need tools to check everything?

No, most checks can be done by hand. You don’t need many tools. A flashlight, a toothbrush, and maybe a screwdriver are enough. You can clean the filter, check the hose, press reset, and inspect the door without any special skills. If you find a broken part, then you might need a repair service to help with the fix.

Is it safe to tilt the dishwasher to drain water?

Yes, but be careful. If you see an E15 error, it means water is in the bottom tray. You can tilt the dishwasher backward about 30 degrees to drain it. Place towels under it to catch the water. After draining, plug it back in and try again. If it works, great. But if it happens again, you might have a leak inside that needs repair.

Can too much soap stop it from starting?

Yes, too much soap or using the wrong kind can cause too many suds. This can block sensors or cause water to stay inside. If that happens, the machine may stop or not start again. Always use the right kind of dishwasher detergent, not regular dish soap. If suds are inside, wipe them out, rinse the machine, and run a rinse cycle.