Dishwasher
E13
The E13 error code on a Siemens dishwasher indicates the water inlet temperature is too high — typically above 60°C — which causes the machine to halt as a safety precaution. It’s a moderately serious fault that’s often straightforward to resolve without a call-out.
What does this error mean?
Your Siemens dishwasher monitors the temperature of the water entering the machine at the start of a cycle. The E13 code triggers when the incoming water is detected as too hot — usually over 60°C — which can damage the appliance’s internal components or affect wash performance. The dishwasher shuts down to protect itself until the issue is resolved.
Est. repair cost
£10–£25 DIY (NTC sensor part only); £80–£160 for a professional repair including call-out
🔍 Likely causes
🛠️ Step-by-step fix
Reset the dishwasher: switch it off at the mains, wait 5 minutes, then restart and run a short cycle to see if the error clears — sometimes a temporary spike triggers a false E13.
Check your water inlet connection: trace the supply hose to the stopcock and confirm it is connected to the cold water supply, not the hot. The inlet hose should feel cool to the touch when the machine is idle.
Let cold water run at a nearby tap for 30 seconds before starting the dishwasher. This flushes warm residual water from the pipes — especially useful in properties where the cold supply runs close to hot pipes.
Inspect the inlet hose and filter: turn off the water supply, disconnect the hose from the back of the machine, and clean the mesh filter at the inlet valve connection. A blocked filter won’t cause E13 directly but rules out related issues.
If the cold supply is confirmed correct and the error persists, the NTC inlet temperature sensor is the most likely culprit. This is a DIY-accessible part on most Siemens models — order by your model number (found inside the door frame) and replace following the service guide. Cost is typically £10–£25.
If replacing the sensor doesn’t resolve it, the main control board may be faulty — stop DIY at this point and call an engineer.
📞 When to call a professional
Call a dishwasher engineer if the error persists after confirming the cold water connection and resetting the machine, or if you’re not confident replacing the NTC sensor yourself. Tell them the exact error code (E13), your model number, and that you’ve already verified the cold water supply — this will save diagnostic time and cost.
⚖️ Repair or replace?
A professional repair for E13 — whether a sensor replacement or control board fault — typically costs £80–£160 including call-out in the UK. If your Siemens dishwasher is under 7 years old, repair is almost always worth it given that a comparable replacement costs £400–£700+. For machines over 10 years old showing multiple faults, replacement makes more financial sense.