Dishwasher
E5
The E5 error code on a Siemens dishwasher indicates a water heating fault — specifically that the appliance is not reaching the correct temperature within the expected time. It’s a moderately serious fault that will prevent your machine from completing a wash cycle.
What does this error mean?
Your Siemens dishwasher continuously monitors water temperature throughout the wash cycle. The E5 code is triggered when the NTC temperature sensor detects that the water has either failed to heat up at all, heated too slowly, or — in some Siemens models — overheated beyond the safe threshold. In plain terms, the dishwasher’s heating system is not working as it should, and the machine has stopped to protect itself and your dishes.
Est. repair cost
£80–£180 professional repair (sensor or element); £15–£45 DIY part if you are replacing the NTC sensor yourself
🔍 Likely causes
🛠️ Step-by-step fix
Reset the dishwasher first: switch it off at the mains socket, wait 60 seconds, then switch back on and start a fresh cycle. A one-off software glitch can trigger E5 and a hard reset often clears it.
Check and clean the filter assembly: remove the filter at the base of the dishwasher, rinse it under the tap, and check the sump area for debris. A blocked filter can restrict water flow and indirectly affect heating performance.
Run a hot descale cycle: fill the rinse aid compartment with a proprietary dishwasher descaler (such as Finish or Oust) and run the hottest available programme empty. In hard water areas, limescale on the heating element is a common E5 trigger.
Inspect the water inlet: check that the tap supplying the dishwasher is fully open and the inlet hose is not kinked or blocked. Low water fill levels can cause the heating element to overheat and cut out.
Check for error recurrence: if E5 returns after these steps, the fault is most likely the NTC temperature sensor or heating element — both are internal components. Do not attempt to access internal wiring or the heating element yourself; this requires partial disassembly and work near mains-voltage components.
If you are confident with appliance DIY and have a multimeter, you can test the NTC sensor resistance (a working Siemens NTC sensor typically reads around 4–6 kΩ at room temperature) after isolating the machine from the mains. If the reading is open-circuit or wildly out of range, the sensor needs replacing.
📞 When to call a professional
If the E5 error persists after a reset, descale, and filter clean, call a Whitegoods or appliance engineer — the fault almost certainly lies with the heating element, NTC sensor, or control board, all of which involve working near mains-voltage components. When you call, tell the engineer: ‘My Siemens dishwasher is showing an E5 error code, which I understand is a water heating fault.’ This helps them bring the right parts. Expect a callout and diagnosis fee of £60–£90 before any repair work begins.
⚖️ Repair or replace?
A heating element replacement typically costs £100–£180 fitted; an NTC sensor is cheaper at £80–£130 fitted. If your Siemens dishwasher is under 5 years old, repair is almost always worth it — Siemens is a premium brand with good parts availability. If the machine is over 8–10 years old and the control board is at fault (£150–£250+ to replace), the maths often favour buying a new machine, especially given current energy-efficient models can cut running costs noticeably.