Bosch Dishwasher Sanitize Light Blinking

If the Sanitize light on your Bosch dishwasher is blinking, it means the dishwasher didn’t get hot enough to sanitize your dishes. The water temperature should be at a minimum temperature of 120°F (49°C) to properly sanitize the dishes. If the sanitize light flashes, check your water temperature by running the hot water for about 30 seconds to make sure it’s hot enough. Then, check the door, the door gasket, and inside the dishwasher for obstructions.

When your Bosch dishwasher’s sanitize light flashes, it means the temperature didn’t get hot enough to sanitize the dishes. But there are a few reasons why that could happen. It’s important to troubleshoot and fix the problem as best you can before running another cycle, or your dishes won’t come clean.

The dishwasher door might not be securely shut, potentially due to an imperfectly sealed rubber gasket.
The dishwasher might be stuck in a cycle.

Just because your Bosch dishwasher’s sanitize light blinks doesn’t necessarily mean the appliance is broken. It could just need a simple reset. Before calling a repairman or Bosch, reset the appliance. it’s quick and easy, won’t damage the dishwasher, and fixes lots of software-related problems.

To reset your Bosch dishwasher, turn it off and unplug it or turn off the circuit breaker > wait 1-2 minutes with the power off > restore power and turn the dishwasher on > run a test cycle to see if the light stops blinking.

If the reset worked, your dishwasher will get hot enough to sanitize the dishes. If not, check the hot water supply and the door’s rubber gasket.

Dishwasher Door Issues

Your Bosch dishwasher must reach a minimum of 120°F (49°C) to properly sanitize the dishes. To do it, the water must be hot enough, and the door must be closed tight, which seals in the heat. If the sanitize light on your Bosch dishwasher flashes, it means the dishwasher didn’t get hot enough to sanitize the dishes.

To reach 120°F (49°C), the dishwasher door must be securely closed with an airtight seal. If the door doesn’t close tight enough, heat can escape, which prevents the dishwasher from getting hot enough to sanitize the dishes.

Make sure the racks are installed properly and not hitting the door.
Check the rubber gasket around the door for obstructions.
Ensure no dishes or other objects are preventing the door from closing tight.
Check the gasket for wear and damage.

Once you’re done checking inside the dishwasher and the gasket, inspect the door itself.

Damaged hinges or worn springs can prevent the door from closing as tight as it should.
Misalignment also prevents the door from shutting tight.

Making sure the dishwasher door closes tight is very important if you want the appliance to reach the minimum 120°F (49°C) temperature needed to sanitize your dishes.

Hot Water Isn’t Hot Enough

When your Bosch dishwasher’s sanitize light blinks, it means the water temperature didn’t reach the minimum 120°F (49°C) required to sanitize the dishes. This can be caused if the hot water supply in the house isn’t hot enough for the dishwasher. Run the hot water in your kitchen sink for 30 seconds and see if it gets hot.

If your hot water isn’t getting hot enough, inspect your hot water heater for issues. You may need to adjust the temperature hotter so your dishwasher can reach the right temperature to sanitize your dishes.

Interrupted Sanitize Cycle

If the sanitize cycle was interrupted before it had a chance to finish, the sanitize light will blink to let you know the dishes haven’t been sanitized. This can be caused during a power outage or a power surge. To stop the blinking sanitize light, reset your dishwasher.

Here’s how to reset a Bosch dishwasher step-by-step:

Turn the dishwasher off.
Unplug the appliance or turn off the circuit breaker. This removes all electricity from the machine.
Wait 1-2 minutes for residual electricity to drain from the appliance. During this time, the appliance will reset.
Restore power to the dishwasher.
Turn the dishwasher on, and the light should be off.
Run a test cycle to see if the sanitize light turns on again.

If the sanitize light turns on again after a reset, the dishwasher isn’t getting hot enough to sanitize your dishes. Check the door, the trays, and the door gasket for damage and obstructions.

How do I Turn Off the Sanitize Cycle on my Bosch Dishwasher?

To turn off the sanitize cycle on your Bosch dishwasher:

Press the “Power” button to make sure the dishwasher is off.
Open the dishwasher door.
Press and hold the “Sanitize” button for a few seconds until the light associated with the sanitize cycle turns off.
Release the “Sanitize” button.
Close the dishwasher door.
Select your desired wash cycle.
Press the “Start” button to begin the chosen cycle without the sanitize feature.

Following these steps will disable the sanitize cycle and allow you to run the dishwasher without it. But keep in mind that your dishes will not be as clean when the sanitize setting is turned off.

Should I Always Use Sanitize Cycle on A Bosch Dishwasher?

The sanitize cycle in a Bosch dishwasher is useful for tough loads and occasional deep cleaning. It gets extremely hot, which sanitizes the dishes better than a regular wash cycle. I like using it on every wash because it gets the dishes as clean as possible. However, it’s not necessary for everyday washes due to the extra time, energy, and water it consumes.

The sanitize cycle raises the water temperature to eliminate more bacteria and germs. If you’re dealing with heavily soiled dishes or if someone in your household has a weakened immune system or is sick, using the sanitize cycle can be beneficial. However for regular loads, standard wash cycles are sufficient.

It’s a balance between thorough cleaning and resource efficiency. Always follow your dishwasher’s manual and consider your specific needs when deciding whether to use the sanitize cycle.

Does the Bosch Dishwasher Sanitize Cycle actually Sanitize?

Yes, the sanitize cycle in a Bosch dishwasher is designed to effectively sanitize your dishes. During this cycle, the dishwasher heats the water to a higher temperature, usually around 150°F (65°C) or higher, with a minimum temperature of 120°F (49°C), which helps kill germs, bacteria, and other pathogens on your dishes. The extended exposure to high heat ensures that harmful microorganisms are eliminated, providing a more hygienic result.

It’s important to note that the effectiveness of the sanitize cycle can vary depending on your dishwasher model. If your dishwasher has been certified by organizations like NSF International, it means it’s been tested and validated to achieve the necessary temperature for proper sanitation.

For daily loads with regular levels of dirt and grime, a standard wash cycle is usually sufficient. The sanitize cycle is particularly useful for heavily soiled items, dishes used by people with weaker immune systems, or when extra hygiene is a priority, such as during illness outbreaks.

Why Does Bosch Dishwasher Say Sanitize?

Select Bosch dishwasher models have a sanitize mode that cleans the dishes more thoroughly than the typical wash cycle. When the sanitize option is turned on, it increases the time and temperature of the final rinse to eliminate up to 99.9% of bacteria. During a sanitize wash cycle, the temperature inside your dishwasher will reach around 150°F (65°C) or higher, with a minimum temperature of 120°F (49°C). This helps kill germs, bacteria, and other pathogens on your dishes.

To maintain the best results from your Bosch dishwasher, the filter should be cleaned regularly, your home’s hot water must be working properly, and the door on the dishwasher needs to be thoroughly closed and sealed.

When the sanitize light blinks, it means the dishwasher did not get hot enough to properly sanitize the dishes.

How Long is a Bosch Dishwasher Sanitize Cycle?

A Bosch dishwasher sanitize cycle takes 60-90 minutes to complete. The Sanitize option on select Bosch models increases the time and temperature of the final rinse to eliminate up to 99.9% of bacteria. During a sanitize wash cycle, the temperature inside your dishwasher will reach around 150°F (65°C) or higher, with a minimum temperature of 120°F (49°C). This helps kill germs, bacteria, and other pathogens on your dishes.

How Hot Is The Sanitize Cycle On A Bosch Dishwasher?

During a Bosch dishwasher’s sanitize cycle, the temperature reaches around 150°F (65°C) or higher, with a minimum temperature of 120°F (49°C). This helps kill germs, bacteria, and other pathogens on your dishes.

If the sanitize light on the dishwasher blinks, it means the temperature inside the dishwasher did not meet the required minimum temperature needed to sanitize the dishes.

Do All Bosch Dishwashers Sanitize?

Most, but not all, Bosch dishwashers come with a sanitize option. The Sanitize option on select Bosch models increases the time and temperature of the final rinse to eliminate up to 99.9% of bacteria. During a sanitize wash cycle, the temperature inside your dishwasher will reach around 150°F (65°C) or higher, with a minimum temperature of 120°F (49°C). This helps kill germs, bacteria, and other pathogens on your dishes.

However, even Bosch dishwashers without a sanitize option are very effective at cleaning your dishes.

Bosch Dishwasher Sanitize Light Won’t Turn Off

If the sanitize light on your Bosch dishwasher won’t stop blinking, reset the appliance. A reset reboots the dishwasher’s software, clears its memory cache of all error codes, and turns off all of its warning lights, which includes the sanitize light.

Here’s how to reset a Bosch dishwasher step-by-step:

Turn the dishwasher off.
Unplug the appliance or turn off the circuit breaker. This removes all electricity from the machine.
Wait 1-2 minutes for residual electricity to drain from the appliance. During this time, the appliance will reset.
Restore power to the dishwasher.
Turn the dishwasher on, and the light should be off.
Run a test cycle to see if the sanitize light turns on again.

Keep in mind that a reset will turn off the light, but it won’t fix the reason why it turned on. If you run another sanitize wash cycle, and the issue was not resolved, the light will probably turn back on again.