E16 means the dishwasher is letting water in when it shouldn’t. In most cases, the inlet system isn’t closing properly (think: a sticky water inlet valve or debris in the inlet path), so the machine keeps filling, which can cause leaks, long cycles, or a hard stop with the error on the display.

What you’ll notice

Beyond the error code, you might hear the fill sound go on longer than usual, see water pooling in the tub when the machine is idle, or notice dampness under the unit. If the cycle aborts early, E16 is the control board’s way of saying “I’m getting water at the wrong time.”

First things first: safe checks

Kill power at the plug or breaker and turn off the water supply valve under the sink. Give the base of the dishwasher a quick look—if you see standing water, soak it up with towels before you do anything else. Now follow the inlet line from the shut-off valve to the dishwasher: straighten any kinks and make sure the line isn’t crushed behind cabinetry. If you have a mesh hose filter at the connection point, a quick rinse can clear grit that keeps the valve from sealing fully.

The likely culprit: the water inlet valve

This small, solenoid-controlled valve opens when the control tells it to fill and closes to stop water. If it’s stuck, scaled up, or electrically failing, it can “dribble” even when the machine isn’t asking for water—exactly the scenario that triggers E16.

Power still off, pull the toe-kick/kick plate and locate the inlet valve (usually where the fill hose meets the machine). Look for cracking, corrosion, or signs of a slow leak. If the valve looks tired—or you can see water marks around it—it’s usually faster and safer to replace it than to try to rebuild it. On many Bosch models the swap is straightforward: disconnect the hose, unplug the connector, remove a couple of screws, move the bracket to the new valve, and reinstall. If you’re not comfortable working around water and mains power, this is a good point to call a pro.

Don’t forget the reset

After any physical checks, restore power and water and try a control reset. Unplug for a few minutes (or switch the breaker off), then power back up and run a short cycle. A clean start clears minor logic hiccups, and if the code stays away, you likely fixed the underlying cause.

If E16 returns

That points to something still admitting water. Less common causes include a misreading flow meter, a stuck relay on the control board, or debris lodged deeper in the inlet path. You can confirm basics with a multimeter (checking the valve coil’s resistance and whether it’s getting voltage at the wrong time), but if you don’t have the tools, replacing the inlet valve first is the most cost-effective step. If that doesn’t solve it, professional diagnostics will save you time.

Prevent it happening again

Keep the inlet hose unkinked with a generous loop, clean or replace any small mesh screens during yearly maintenance, and make sure the shut-off valve under the sink opens and closes smoothly (a valve that doesn’t fully close can contribute to mystery drips).

E16 almost always traces back to the water inlet side—kinks, debris, or a failing inlet valve. Straighten the hose, clean the screens, replace the valve if it shows wear, then reset the machine. If the error persists, it’s time for a deeper check of the control and sensors.