Check if the child lock is active or if the door is not fully latched. If those are fine, verify the dishwasher has power at the breaker or outlet and perform a 30 second hard reset by holding the Start button.
Honestly, most of the time when a Bosch won't start it's one of three things: child lock got bumped, door latch isn't fully catching, or the control board needs a hard reset. I had three of these in one week last month. Ignore it long enough and you're looking at a failed control board from repeated power cycling, which is a $200+ part. Worth diagnosing this weekend before it turns into that.
OK so here's the deal with Bosch start failures: these machines are actually pretty smart, and that's the problem. They've got a ton of safety interlocks that all have to be happy before anything runs. Child lock is the sneaky one I see constantly, homeowners have no idea they even activated it. And the door latch tolerance on these is tight. Cabinet settles even a little and that latch switch just doesn't close the circuit.
Most Likely Causes
Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:
Door Latch Issues40%
User Interface/Child Lock25%
Thermal Fuse/Power Supply20%
Main Control Board Failure15%
Symptoms You May Notice
Display is completely dark and unresponsive, like the machine doesn't have power even though the outlet tests fine.
All the panel lights are on, program is selected, but pressing Start does absolutely nothing. No sound, no click, nothing happens at all.
It beeps three times and then just stops. No cycle starts, no error code appears, just three beeps and silence.
The Start button light blinks steadily, usually because the door was opened after you hit Start or you didn't close it fast enough.
You can hear a quiet hum like the motor wants to run but the machine never fills with water and nothing moves.
Can you reset a Bosch dishwasher to clear the START-FAILURE code?
Press and hold the Start button for 3 to 5 seconds until the display shows '0:01' or the cycle time resets. On some models, hold Cancel/Drain for 3 seconds instead. Close the door within 4 seconds and let the drain cycle finish completely. If that doesn't work, flip the breaker off for 10 full minutes, then back on. Start a brand new cycle from the beginning, don't try to resume whatever was interrupted.
Tools Required for Diagnosis
Phillips #2 screwdriverTorx T20 screwdriverDigital multimeter with continuity modeNeedle-nose pliersFlathead screwdriver for kickplate clipsFlashlight or headlamp
Diagnostic Checklist
Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.
ComponentComponent Under Test
Expected Range0–5 ohms
ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Bosch dishwasher beeping but not starting?
Three beeps usually means the door seal isn't complete. The machine won't start unless that door switch is fully closed and the board gets the signal. Push the door harder than you think you need to. Check if a dish is sticking out past the rack or if the latch itself is cracked. On most Bosch models, three beeps can also mean you hit Start but didn't close the door within the four-second window. Just press Start again and immediately push the door shut firmly.
How do I know if my control board is fried?
If you've confirmed power at the junction box, the door latch tests good on the multimeter, the thermal fuse shows continuity, and the reset procedure does absolutely nothing, yeah, it's probably the board. Look for visible burn marks or a burnt plastic smell when you open the door panel. A completely dead display with confirmed incoming power is another strong indicator. Control boards for Bosch run about $150-220 depending on your series. Confirm everything else first because that's real money.
Can a clogged filter stop a Bosch dishwasher from starting?
Not directly from the filter itself. But if the machine couldn't drain at the end of the last cycle because of a clog, the flood sensor at the base of the machine might be tripped. That triggers protection mode and prevents any new cycle from starting. Pull the kickplate and check for standing water in the base tray. If there's water in there, soak it up with towels and figure out why it got down there before anything else will work.
Is there a reset button on the back of the machine?
Nope. Bosch doesn't put a physical reset button anywhere on the outside of the machine. Everything goes through the control panel buttons or a power cycle at the breaker. Hold Start for 3-5 seconds for a soft reset, or do a full 10-minute breaker shutoff for a hard reset. That's your two options.
Why does the start light flash when I press it?
The door was probably opened after you pressed Start, or you pressed Start and didn't close the door fast enough. Bosch gives you about four seconds to close the door after pressing Start. If that window passes, the start light blinks to let you know it's still waiting. Press Start again and immediately close the door. If the light flashes and you never opened the door, that usually means the door latch switch isn't fully registering the close even though the door feels shut. Go back and test the latch.
How much does it cost to fix a Bosch dishwasher that won't start?
Depends what's wrong. Child lock fix: free. Hard reset: free. New door latch assembly: $35-65 for the part, maybe an hour of your time. Thermal fuse: usually under $20. Junction box wiring: usually a $10 wire nut fix. Control board: that's where it hurts, $150-250 for the part alone. If your machine is under 5 years old I'd fix it no question. Over 10 years old with a bad board, start pricing replacements before you pull the trigger on that repair.
Models Known to Experience START-FAILURE Errors
This repair applies to most Bosch dishwashers with this error code. Common model numbers include: