How to Reset a Thermador Dishwasher and Clear Error Codes

Quick Answer

To reset a Thermador dishwasher, press and hold the Start button for three seconds until the Active light turns off. For a hard reset, disconnect the power at the breaker for one minute to clear the control board memory.

Most of the time when I get called out for a Thermador that won't start, it's a reset situation. Takes two minutes. But if you reset without fixing the actual fault that triggered the code, you're just going in circles. And if you skip the reset entirely and start ordering parts, you're wasting money. The Sapphire and Star-Sapphire series are solid machines, but their control boards are genuinely sensitive to power blips.

ThermadorDishwasher

How to Reset Your Thermador Dishwasher

OK so basically you've got two options: a soft reset (hold Start/Stop for 3-5 seconds) or a hard reset (kill the breaker for 60 seconds). Costs you nothing. Takes two minutes. Fixes maybe 40% of the Thermador calls I get. The E15 water-in-base situation is the one exception where you've also got to physically tilt the machine before the reset will stick.

Most Likely Causes

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

Active error code blocking a new cycle start40%

Program stuck mid-cycle due to power interruption24%

Temporary sensor glitch resolved after power cycle22%

Control board requiring soft reset after component replacement14%

Symptoms You May Notice

Error code is sitting on the display and the Start button does absolutely nothing when you press it.
Machine stopped partway through a cycle, water might still be sitting in the tub, and none of the buttons respond at all.
You already fixed the thing the code was complaining about (cleaned the filter, cleared the drain) but the error is still sitting there on the display.
Dishwasher starts fine, runs for maybe 2-3 minutes, then stops and throws a code like something tripped.
The whole control panel is dark or frozen and the machine won't respond to any input whatsoever.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

No tools needed for soft or hard resetOld towels or bath towels (for E15 base pan drain procedure)Flashlight or phone light (checking under machine for water during E15)Phillips #2 screwdriver (if pulling machine out from under counter for E15 procedure)

Diagnostic Checklist

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

Did the reset not work?

If the problem comes back after following these steps, a component has permanently failed and needs replacement. Check the specific error code your dishwasher is showing:

HUB Error →E15 Error →E24 Error →E22 Error →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I reset a Thermador dishwasher?

Two ways to do it. Soft reset: hold Start/Stop for 3-5 seconds until the program cancels and the display clears. That's your first move, always. If that doesn't stick or the code comes right back, do a hard reset: flip the circuit breaker off, wait a full 60 seconds (not 10, a full minute), then flip it back on. The 60-second wait actually matters because the control board needs time to fully lose power and discharge. E15 is the weird exception where you've also got to tilt the machine to drain the base pan. That float switch won't release until the water's physically gone.

Why does the error code come back right after I reset it?

Because the reset only clears the stored code, it doesn't fix whatever caused it. Think of it like clearing a check engine light without fixing the car. If the filter's still clogged, there's still water in the base pan, or the drain hose is still kinked, the machine is going to detect the same problem again within about 30 seconds of starting a new cycle. I've been on calls where someone reset the machine five or six times in a row wondering why it keeps coming back. You've got to fix the underlying problem first. Figure out what the code actually means, fix that thing, then reset.

How do I enter diagnostic mode on a Thermador dishwasher?

Hold the Start button down for 5 seconds and the display will cycle through any stored fault codes. Do this before you reset, because once you do the hard reset those codes are gone from memory. I always check diagnostics first on a service call so I know exactly what I'm dealing with before I start poking around. Write down every code that shows up. Some machines will show multiple codes if there's been more than one fault event. Once you've got all the codes written down, then you can do your reset and start investigating.

Is there a factory reset option on Thermador dishwashers?

No dedicated factory reset button or menu anywhere on these machines. The 60-second breaker reset is basically it. That clears the control board memory and puts everything back to a default state, which is pretty much the same thing as a factory reset for troubleshooting purposes. It won't wipe your custom settings like delay start preferences, but for clearing faults and getting the board back to a known good state, the 60-second power cycle does the job.

My Thermador dishwasher buttons are completely unresponsive. What do I do?

First thing to check is child lock. On most Thermador models, child lock activates if someone holds a button combination down for a few seconds, and once it's on, nothing works. Try holding the program button or Start for 5 seconds and see if a lock indicator light goes out on the display. If child lock isn't the issue, go straight to the hard reset at the breaker. 60 seconds off, then back on. If the panel is still completely dead after a hard reset, you're probably looking at a failed control board or a wiring issue at the control panel connector, and that's a different repair.

How do I cancel a cycle that's stuck partway through?

Same move as the soft reset. Hold Start/Stop for 3-5 seconds. The machine should cancel the active program, drain whatever water is in the tub (takes about 90 seconds of pump running), then go to standby. If you interrupted the cycle during a heated dry phase, the element's probably still hot, so give it a few minutes before you open the door all the way. If the machine won't drain during the cancel sequence, that's a separate issue, usually the drain pump or a clogged filter, and a reset isn't going to solve that part.

Can I reset a Thermador dishwasher without going to the breaker?

If the dishwasher is plugged into a standard outlet under the sink, just unplug it from the wall for 60 seconds. Same result as the breaker. Most built-in Thermador units are hardwired though, so the breaker is usually your only option for the hard reset. The soft reset by holding Start/Stop doesn't require any power disconnection at all, so always try that one first before you go hunting for the breaker.

Related Thermador Dishwasher Error Codes

Code: HUBThermador Dishwasher Error Codes: Complete List for DWHD and Sapphire Series Code: E15Thermador Dishwasher E15 Error Code: AquaStop Water Protection Activated Code: E24Thermador Dishwasher E24 Error Code: Drain Fault Code: E22Thermador Dishwasher E22 Error Code: Filter Blocked Code: E25Thermador Dishwasher E25 Error Code: Drain Pump Blocked Code: E09Thermador Dishwasher E09 Error Code: Heating Fault Code: SA-NLThermador Dishwasher SA NL Indicator: Salt and Rinse Aid Refill

Same Fix on Other Brands

Bosch dishwasherHow to Reset a Bosch Dishwasher

Same Fix Works on These Brands

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

Bosch dishwasherHow to Reset a Bosch Dishwasher (Every Method)Bosch dishwasherBosch E09: Heating Element Not Working Bosch dishwasherBosch E17 Error: Too Much Water Coming In Bosch dishwasherBosch E11 Error: Temperature Sensor (NTC) Fault Bosch dishwasherBosch Dishwasher Troubleshooting: 15 Problems, Fixed Bosch dishwasherBosch E92 Error: Control Board Communication Fix

Models Known to Experience RESET Errors

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

DWHD440MFP, DWHD640JFP, DWHD640ZFP, DWHD660ZFP, DWHD771WFP, DWHD650WFP, DWHD560CFP, DWHD870WFP

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 14, 2026