Bosch Dishwasher Error Code F26

F26 on a Bosch dishwasher is a boiling protection fault. It means the NTC temperature sensor detected water temperature exceeding the maximum safety limit of 194°F, causing the dishwasher to immediately interrupt the running program. The fault is designed to protect the appliance and its contents from heat damage. The most common causes are a heating relay stuck in the closed position or an inaccurate NTC sensor reading.

No, you should not attempt to run the dishwasher while F26 is active. The fault indicates a potential overheating condition, and the program interrupt is a safety protection feature. Running cycles while the heating relay may be stuck closed could cause further component damage or create a hazard. Diagnose and resolve the root cause before resuming use.

Repair costs vary depending on the failed component. Replacing an NTC sensor is typically a lower-cost repair, with parts generally ranging from $15 to $50 and labor adding $75 to $150 if a technician is involved. A heating relay replacement falls in a similar range. Control board replacement is the most expensive scenario, with parts alone potentially ranging from $100 to $300 or more depending on the model.

A knowledgeable DIYer can perform basic diagnostics such as visually inspecting the heating relay and testing the NTC sensor resistance with a multimeter. However, replacing a fused relay or a failed sensor requires disassembling internal dishwasher components, so comfort with appliance repair work is needed. If the fault points to the control board, professional service is strongly recommended.

A reset may temporarily clear the displayed fault code, but it will not resolve the underlying problem. If the heating relay is fused closed or the NTC sensor is genuinely faulty, the F26 condition will return once the dishwasher attempts to heat water again. A reset is useful for confirming whether the fault is intermittent, but it is not a repair.