Bosch Dishwasher Force Drain Cycle (4 Easy Steps)

Every dishwasher has a drain mechanism that removes the wastewater from it after completing the cycle.

However, the drain mechanism can sometimes stop working due to blocks or kinks in the supply hose. During such a situation, the Bosch dishwasher force drain cycle can be helpful for you.

If you wish to change the cycle setting and run a force drain cycle on your dishwasher, you have come to the right place. 

In this article, you will get to know how to start the force drain on the Bosch dishwasher. I will also be sharing some pros and cons of forcing a drain on the dishwasher.

So, let’s dive in.

When Should I Use The Force Drain Cycle On Bosch Dishwasher?

The Force drain cycle is not a natural way for a dishwasher to remove wastewater.

No one will want to force the drain cycle for no reason. There are always some reasons that cause you to make this decision. 

Here are those reasons to use the force drain cycle on Bosch dishwashers.

Selection of the wrong cycle 

If you accidentally selected the undesired cycle, the force drain cycle can help you by canceling the current cycle and resetting a new one.

Once the Force drain cycle is done, you will be able to reset the new cycle and change the wash setting to your desired one.

Blocked or faulty drain mechanism

A blocked or faulty drain mechanism of a dishwasher is a potential reason for using the force drain cycle. 

The drain mechanism of a dishwasher consists of many components, including a drain pump, drain hose, filter, and garbage disposal. If any of them get clogged by debris or defective, the wastewater will not be removed, and you will find the standing water in the dishwasher’s tub.

In such a situation, you should force the drain cycle and later call a technician to fix your drainage system.

Incorrect loading and detergent usage

If you have ever read your dishwasher’s user manual, the steps to ensure correct loading and recommended detergent usage are already mentioned there.

Still, many people load their dishwashers incorrectly and exceed the limit of detergent usage, which causes their soap dispenser not to open on time.

However, if your dishwasher is in mid-cycle and you want to correct the loading and quantity of detergent, you can cancel the current cycle by forcing the dishwasher to drain.

When the drain cycle is finished, open the doors, reload your dishes properly, and use limited detergent. Also, if you find any additional error codes on the display, fix them.

How To Activate Force Drain Cycle On Bosch dishwasher?

Activating the force drain cycle on your dishwasher is a simple process. Follow the steps mentioned below, and you will be able to start the force drain on your appliance.

Now, you can start the force drain cycle in two ways. First, by resetting your dishwasher, and second, by following the sequence of steps that I am mentioning below.

Resetting the dishwasher

• First, turn off your dishwasher using the control panel power switch. Even better, unplug your appliance from the power source and flip the circuit breaker.

• Your Bosch unit will start to drain within a few minutes. 
• After a while, a clean light is illuminated to indicate the completion of the drain cycle.

However, if this method doesn’t work for you, you can use the alternative steps given below.

Steps for starting the force drain cycle

• First, you will need to cancel the current cycle. To do so, hold down the “Start” button on the control panel for 3 seconds.
• Now, you will have to wait for some minutes and let the clean light illuminate.
• After that, press the “Start” button to start the forced drain and wait till the clean light turns blue to indicate that the force drain cycle is completed.
• Lastly, press the On or Off button to finish the draining process.

Now, you can open the dishwasher door to access your dishes or to rearrange them. 

After changing the wash settings to your desired one, you can close the dishwasher and press the “Start” button to begin a new cycle.

Advantages and Disadvantages of using Bosch dishwasher Force Drain Cycle

Every process comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. So, here I am highlighting some of the advantages and disadvantages of using the force drain cycle.

Advantages:

It saves time

On average, a wash cycle on a Bosch dishwasher can take up to 2 hours. And if you want to drain the water, you will have to wait until the cycle finishes.

But if you use the force drain cycle, it will save you time by draining the wastewater immediately. It will take less than 2 minutes to force the drain and start a new cycle of your choice.

It allows you to reset the cycle settings.

Another advantage of forcing the drain cycle is that you can reselect a new wash cycle cycle setting. If your dishwasher is in mid-cycle, but you don’t want to continue the cycle, then use the force drain cycle.

It will stop the ongoing cycle, and you will get a chance to reset the cycle settings.

Removes the excess water

Whenever you notice that there is more than the required water in the dishwasher, you can use the force drain feature to remove the excess water.

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It is a simple and easy-to-do process depending on the model of the machine you are using.

Disadvantages:

Risk of damage

A force drain cycle is an excellent immediate solution. But if it is done frequently, it can negatively impact your dishwasher and probably cause damage to it.

This feature is made for emergencies or when your regular drain cycle is not working. You should not use this feature on a regular basis.

Temporary solution

Up to now, you must have understood that forcing the drain cycle is a temporary solution. Using it regularly can negatively impact your dishwasher’s health.

Even experts say that letting the dishwasher drain naturally is always the best.

If you are using this feature because your dishwasher is not draining, contact a professional and ask him to fix that issue.

Infographic: How to force the drain on the Bosch dishwasher?

Frequently Asked Questions

What buttons drain Bosch dishwasher?

If your Bosch dishwasher model has a “Cancel drain” button on the control panel. You will have to look for the two dots indication under specific buttons. These buttons are required to be pressed in order to drain the dishwasher.

Is it safe to manually force the drain cycle, and will it affect the dishwasher’s warranty?

It is safe to use the force drain cycle if you are using it once in a while. It is one of the dishwasher’s features, so it will not affect the warranty. However, forcing the drain during every cycle can increase the risk of damage.

Can the force drain cycle be used to troubleshoot drainage issues in a Bosch dishwasher?

The force drain cycle is not the permanent solution. It can be only used as an immediate solution. You will have to call a repairman in order to troubleshoot drainage issues on your dishwasher.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the force drain cycle is one of the excellent features that can help you cancel the wash, remove excess water, and change the cycle settings.

Also, if your dishwasher drainage system is not working or you have selected the incorrect cycle, you can use this feature to correct it.

To activate the force drain cycle on the Bosch dishwasher, press the Start button for 3 seconds and wait till the clean light illuminates. Then, press the start button. After a while, the clean light will turn solid blue to indicate the completion of the force drain cycle.

However, you should not use this feature as a permanent solution. The natural draining mechanism of the dishwasher is always the safest and best.

This was all from my side. I hope you have got the information you were looking for. If you think I have missed something, comment below. I will always be ready to assist you.