Bosch Dishwasher Symbols: What Every Icon Means

Quick Answer

Bosch dishwashers use European-style icon-based controls that confuse many US buyers. The most commonly misunderstood symbols are: the sun/star icon (Sanitize or Extra Dry), the snowflake (lower temperature option), the faucet with drop (rinse aid empty), the crystal glass (Delicate cycle), and the pot/bowl icon (Pots and Pans cycle).

BoschDishwasherSeverity: low

Time to Fix

15–90 min

Difficulty

beginner

Parts Cost

—

Tools Needed

None

Wrong code?

Not seeing GUIDE on your display?

Select what your appliance is actually doing and we'll take you to the right guide.

error code displayed on panel

GUIDE

indicator lights flashing

SYMPTOM

unsure how to initiate cycle

GUIDE

Silence Plus model questions

GUIDE

What Does the GUIDE Code Mean?

Bosch uses iconographic controls rather than text labels on most of their dishwasher lines - a design choice carried over from their European market products. The 100 series has simpler, more labeled controls, while the 500 and 800 series use almost entirely icon-based controls. The hidden-control models (where the panel is on the top of the door, invisible when closed) require you to memorize icon positions since you cannot see them during a cycle.

Most Likely Causes

Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:

Unfamiliarity with European-style icon-based control panel design40%

Transition from a text-labeled brand to Bosch24%

Multiple icon meanings depending on model series and firmware version22%

Hidden-control panel on 500/800 series requires memorization of icon positions14%

Symptoms You May Notice

Unable to identify which cycle is selected
Accidentally running wrong cycle due to symbol misidentification
Rinse aid warning icon not recognized, leading to spotty dishes
Sanitize indicator mistaken for a malfunction warning

Can you reset a Bosch dishwasher to clear the GUIDE code?

No reset required for symbol identification. If an indicator light is stuck on, hold Start/Reset for 5 seconds to clear any latched status flags.

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

Identify your panel type and series

Before looking up any individual symbol, first determine which Bosch series you own. Open the door and check the model number sticker on the door frame or tub edge. The first letters after SH in the model number indicate the series: SHE = 100/300 series, SHP or SHX = 500/800 series. The 100 series panels have more text labels mixed with icons. The 500 and 800 series use almost exclusively icons with no text labels at all. Hidden-control models (where the control panel sits on the top edge of the door) are more common in the 500 and 800 series. Front-control models, where buttons face outward when the door is closed, are more common in the 100 and 300 series and use slightly different icon sets.

Identify cycle selection icons

Identify function and temperature modifier icons

Identify indicator and warning icons

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the faucet symbol mean on Bosch?

The faucet symbol with a water drop on a Bosch dishwasher is a rinse aid low warning. It means the rinse aid dispenser in the door is running low and needs to be refilled. Open the dispenser door (usually on the inner door face, next to the detergent compartment), pour in rinse aid until the indicator window shows full, and close the cap firmly. The light should turn off after the next cycle completes.

What does the snowflake icon mean on my Bosch dishwasher?

The snowflake icon is a temperature reduction modifier. Pressing it lowers the wash temperature for the selected cycle, making it suitable for delicate items or plastics that may warp at high heat. It is a modifier button, not a cycle selector, so you press it in addition to selecting a cycle. On some models it is labeled as a cooling or economy temperature option.

What is the star symbol on a Bosch dishwasher?

The star or starburst symbol on a Bosch dishwasher is the Sanitize or Extra Dry function. When it is Sanitize, it adds a high-temperature final rinse that meets NSF/ANSI Standard 184 for sanitization - useful for baby items or cutting boards. When it is Extra Dry, it extends the drying phase with additional heat. Which function the star represents depends on your specific model - consult the model's panel legend on the inside door edge.

What does the red dot on a Bosch dishwasher display mean?

The red dot projected onto the floor by some Bosch models is the InfoLight feature. It is a red LED that shines downward through the bottom of the door while a cycle is running, giving you a visible indicator that the machine is active even when the hidden-control panel is not visible. When the cycle ends, the red dot turns off. This is not a warning or error - it is a convenience feature that can be turned off in the settings menu on models that support it.

What does the hand icon mean on the Bosch dishwasher panel?

The hand icon on a Bosch dishwasher panel is the Child Lock indicator or activation button. Pressing and holding it for 3-5 seconds activates or deactivates the Child Lock (also called Control Lock), which disables all button presses to prevent accidental cycle changes or starts. When Child Lock is active, the hand or padlock icon stays lit. If you find that no buttons are responding, check whether this icon is illuminated - that is almost always the cause.

Related Bosch Dishwasher Error Codes

Code: GUIDEBosch Dishwasher Error Codes: Full Reference Code: SYMPTOMBosch Dishwasher Lights Flashing: What Each Pattern Means Code: GUIDEHow to Start a Bosch Dishwasher (All Model Types)Code: GUIDEBosch Silence Plus: Settings, Problems, and Hidden Features

Same Fix Works on These Brands

Bosch shares the same hardware platform with these brands. The diagnosis and repair steps are identical.

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Models Known to Experience GUIDE Errors

This repair applies to most Bosch dishwashers with this error code. Common model numbers include:

SHPM88Z75N, SHPM88Z55N, SHPK7ZL55N, SHE3AR75UC, SHEM63W55N, SHPM65Z55N, SHE3AR72UC, SHDF78Z55N, SHEM78ZH5N, SHPM98Z75N

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 14, 2026