How to Change Settings on Bosch Dishwasher Series 4 Easily

You probably bought the Bosch Dishwasher Series 4 because it’s smart, quiet, and saves time. But sometimes, it can be confusing to use all its features. If you are trying to figure out how to change settings on Bosch Dishwasher Series 4, you are not alone. I had the same problem. The good news is, it’s actually not too hard once you know where to look. In this article, I will show you clearly how to change different settings on your Bosch Series 4 dishwasher in simple steps that anyone can follow.

Turn On and Enter the Settings Mode

The first thing you need to do is turn on your dishwasher and enter the settings mode. This is where you can make changes like sound, water level, and drying options. But many people do not know how to get to this special menu. So let’s walk through it slowly.

Start by opening the dishwasher door gently. Then press the power button once. You will see lights come on and maybe hear a beep. This means your machine is ready.

Now, look at the control panel. You should see buttons for different programs like Eco, Auto, or Quick Wash. What you want to find is the button called ‘Start’ or sometimes it says ‘Start/Reset’. Do not press and hold it just yet.

To enter settings mode, press and hold the ‘Start’ button for about 3 seconds until you see lights start blinking or numbers flashing. That blinking is your sign that you are now in the settings menu.

Each time you press the ‘Program’ button (next to Start), you will move through different settings. You might see small letters or numbers change on the screen. That means the dishwasher is ready for you to change that setting.

When you find the setting you want to change, press the ‘Start’ button to change its value. For example, if it’s showing a volume level, pressing ‘Start’ will increase it. When you’re happy with the setting, wait a few seconds. The machine will save it on its own.

This part may take a bit of practice, but once you get used to it, you’ll feel like a pro.

Open the dishwasher and turn it on
Press and hold the ‘Start’ button for 3 seconds
Use the ‘Program’ button to move between settings
Press ‘Start’ again to change the value of each setting
Wait to save your new setting

Adjust the Sound Settings

The Bosch Series 4 dishwasher makes sounds to let you know when things happen, like when a wash is finished. Some people like this sound. Others find it too loud or annoying. Luckily, you can change the sound level easily.

First, make sure your dishwasher is on. You do not need to close the door fully yet. Just keep it open but turned on.

Now, press and hold the ‘Start’ button for 3 seconds. This will take you into the settings mode. Look for the ‘Program’ button and press it one time at a time until you see a small number on the screen that matches the sound setting. It usually shows something like ‘S:02’ or ‘b:01’. ‘b’ stands for buzzer sound.

Once you find the sound setting, press the ‘Start’ button again to change it. It will go from ‘b:00’ (off) to ‘b:03’ (loudest). Choose what you like best.

After that, do nothing. Wait a few seconds. The dishwasher will save your new sound setting on its own.

This can help if you run your dishwasher at night and don’t want it to beep loudly while you sleep.

Press ‘Start’ for 3 seconds to enter settings
Use ‘Program’ to find buzzer or sound setting
Press ‘Start’ again to change sound level
Wait to save the setting

Change the Rinse Aid Setting

Rinse aid helps your dishes dry faster and come out shiny. If you see water spots or streaks, you might need to change the rinse aid level.

Start with your dishwasher on and the door open. Enter the settings mode by pressing and holding the ‘Start’ button for 3 seconds.

Next, press the ‘Program’ button a few times until you see a number like ‘r:01’ or ‘r:04’. This is the rinse aid setting. The higher the number, the more rinse aid it uses.

If your glasses look cloudy, increase the number. If you see white spots, maybe lower it. Press the ‘Start’ button to go from one level to the next.

The normal level is between 2 and 4. If you use soft water, use a lower number. For hard water, a higher number is better.

After you pick the level you want, just wait. The setting will save on its own in a few seconds.

Turn on dishwasher and enter settings
Press ‘Program’ until rinse aid level shows
Press ‘Start’ to change level
Wait for it to save

Adjust the Water Hardness

Water hardness is how much calcium and minerals are in your water. If your water is hard, your dishes may get white marks. Bosch lets you adjust the water hardness setting so it can wash better.

Start with the dishwasher on. Open the door but keep it powered. Now press and hold ‘Start’ for 3 seconds.

Press the ‘Program’ button until you see something like ‘H:03’ or ‘d:02’. These codes are for water hardness.

The number can go from 0 to 7. Lower numbers are for soft water. Higher numbers are for hard water.

To check your water hardness, you can look at your water bill or get a test strip. But if you are not sure, just try a middle level like 3.

Once you see the hardness setting, press ‘Start’ to change it. Each press goes one level up. When it goes past 7, it goes back to 0.

After setting the right number, wait. It will save it.

Press ‘Start’ 3 seconds to enter settings
Press ‘Program’ to find water hardness
Press ‘Start’ to change the number
Wait for the new setting to save

Turn On or Off Extra Drying

Extra drying is helpful when you have plastic dishes or want everything to be super dry. It uses more heat and a little more time.

To turn this on, first turn on your dishwasher. Then press and hold ‘Start’ for 3 seconds to enter settings mode.

Use the ‘Program’ button to move through the settings until you see something like ‘E:00’ or ‘E:01’. This is for extra drying.

‘E:00’ means off. ‘E:01’ means on. Press the ‘Start’ button to switch between off and on.

When it is on, your dishwasher will make dishes drier by using more heat. It’s a good setting if your dishes come out wet often.

But remember, it may also use a bit more energy.

Go to settings mode
Find extra drying using ‘Program’
Press ‘Start’ to turn it on or off
Let it save the setting

Reset All Settings to Default

Sometimes, if you changed too many things and it’s not working right, you may want to reset everything back to normal.

To do this, turn on the dishwasher and open the door. Then press and hold ‘Start’ for 3 seconds.

Use the ‘Program’ button until you see something like ‘rE’ or a special reset code. If your model doesn’t have that, then turn off the dishwasher.

Now press and hold both the ‘Start’ and ‘Program’ button at the same time, then press the power button once. Keep holding ‘Start’ and ‘Program’ for 3 to 5 seconds.

The lights will blink. This means all settings are now reset back to how they were when you first bought the dishwasher.

After that, set your preferred settings again from the beginning.

Turn off the machine
Press and hold ‘Start’ and ‘Program’
Press power while holding both
Wait for lights to blink
Settings are reset

Final Thoughts

The Bosch Series 4 dishwasher is a powerful and smart machine, but the settings can feel confusing at first. Once you learn how to enter the settings mode and move around the menu, it becomes much easier. Whether you want to change the sound, rinse aid, drying, or water hardness, now you can do it with full confidence. You can also reset everything if needed. Just follow the simple steps and your dishwasher will work the way you want it.

Setting	Code Example	What It Does	How to Change	Normal Range
Sound Level	b:00 to b:03	Changes volume of beeps	In settings, press ‘Start’	0 (off) – 3
Rinse Aid	r:01 to r:06	Controls how much rinse aid is used	In settings, press ‘Start’	2 – 4
Water Hardness	H:00 to H:07	Adjusts for soft or hard water	In settings, press ‘Start’	3 – 5
Extra Drying	E:00 or E:01	Makes dishes drier	In settings, press ‘Start’	0 = off, 1 = on
Reset All Settings	Hold Combo	Brings all settings to factory mode	Hold ‘Start’ + ‘Program’ + Power	N/A

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it possible to turn off the beeping sound on Bosch Series 4?

Yes, you can turn off the beeping sound easily. Just enter the settings mode by holding the ‘Start’ button for 3 seconds. Then use the ‘Program’ button to find the sound setting, which usually shows as ‘b:01’, ‘b:02’, or similar. Press ‘Start’ to change it to ‘b:00’, which means the sound is off. This is very useful if you run the dishwasher at night and do not want any noise. After selecting ‘b:00’, wait for a few seconds. The machine will save the new setting by itself.

Can I make my Bosch Series 4 dishwasher use less rinse aid?

Yes, you can lower the rinse aid level to use less. Go into settings by pressing and holding the ‘Start’ button. Press the ‘Program’ button until you see the rinse aid level, such as ‘r:04’. Press ‘Start’ to change it to a lower number. Try ‘r:02’ or even ‘r:01’ if your dishes look clean without streaks. Using too much rinse aid can cause spots, so changing this setting can really help. Wait a few seconds after setting the level, and it will be saved.

Do I need to change water hardness on my Bosch Series 4?

You only need to change the water hardness if you know your tap water is very hard or very soft. Hard water can leave white spots on your dishes. Go into the settings and find the water hardness setting (H:00 to H:07). You can use a test strip or ask your water supplier to know your hardness level. If you’re not sure, using H:03 or H:04 is a good place to start. The right setting will help your dishwasher work better and protect it from limescale.

Is it safe to use extra drying every time?

Yes, it is safe to use extra drying every time, but it will use more energy and take a bit longer. Extra drying makes plastic containers and glass cups dry better. If you always want dry dishes, it’s a good idea to keep this setting on. Just go into settings, look for the code ‘E:01’, and keep it there. But if you are trying to save energy, you can turn it off by setting it to ‘E:00’. It all depends on your daily needs.

Can I reset all my settings back to factory mode?

Yes, you can reset all settings back to the factory mode if something feels wrong. To do this, turn off the dishwasher. Then press and hold both the ‘Start’ and ‘Program’ buttons. While holding them, press the power button. Hold all buttons for a few seconds until lights blink. That means your Bosch Series 4 is now back to default settings. This is a great way to fix strange issues without needing a repair person.

Do I have to open the door to change the settings?

Yes, it’s better to open the door slightly when changing settings, but the machine must still be powered on. Most people keep the door open enough to see the buttons and screen but not wide open. This way, you can safely press and hold buttons like ‘Start’ without starting a wash cycle. Just make sure you don’t fully close the door during this process, or the machine might start washing.

Is it normal for settings not to save right away?

Yes, it’s normal. After changing a setting like rinse aid or sound level, you need to wait for a few seconds. Don’t press any buttons or close the door. The dishwasher will save the setting on its own. If you press something too fast, it might not save. Just be patient for 5 to 10 seconds, and everything will be saved the right way.

Can I check my current settings without changing them?

Yes, you can go into the settings mode just to check what you have set. When you hold the ‘Start’ button for 3 seconds, the display will show the current setting. You can use the ‘Program’ button to move through each one. As long as you do not press ‘Start’ again, the setting will stay the same. So you can check everything and close the door without making any changes.