Bosch SHP878ZD5N 24 in 800 Series Pocket Handle 42 dBA E16 Error Fix: Unauthorized Water Fill Detected

Error code E16 on the Bosch SHP878ZD5N 24 in 800 Series Pocket Handle 42 dBA means: Unauthorized Water Fill Detected. The dishwasher has detected water filling into the tub when no fill cycle has been commanded. This indicates the water inlet valve is leaking (not fully closing) or an external water source is allowing water to siphon back into the machine. Replace the water inlet valve if it does not shut off completely. Check for a missing or improperly installed high-drain-loop or air gap on the drain hose — this can cause wastewater from the sink to siphon back into the dishwasher.

The most successful fix is "Replace the Water Inlet Valve Assembly" (hard difficulty, ~60 minutes). Estimated DIY cost: $15-$25. HomeMD has 2 community-ranked fixes for this error.

This error is rated high severity. You should address it promptly — continued use could cause damage or safety concerns.

Yes — the top-ranked community fix ("Replace the Water Inlet Valve Assembly") is rated hard difficulty and takes about 60 minutes. Tools needed: T20 Torx screwdriver, Adjustable wrench, Pliers, Multimeter.

DIY cost: $15-$25. Professional repair typically costs $120-$180. Many homeowners save money by trying the top-ranked community fix first.

The Bosch SHP878ZD5N 24 in 800 Series Pocket Handle 42 dBA has 8 other known error codes, including: E0 (No Fault Codes Recorded), E1 (Heating Problem), E12 (Calcification / Scale Buildup), E13 (Water Heating Timeout), E14 (Flow Meter / Water Sensor Error), and 3 more.

Error code E16 also appears on 11 other Bosch models: SHE3AR75UC 24 in 100 Series Front Control 50 dBA, SHE53C85N 24 in 300 Series Front Control 46 dBA, SHP65CM5N 24 in 500 Series Pocket Handle 44 dBA, SHP65TL5UC 24 in 500 Series Bar Handle 44 dBA with AutoAir, SHPM78Z55N 24 in 500 Series Top Control 44 dBA, SHPM88Z75N 800 Series Dishwasher, and 5 more. The fix may vary by model, so check each model's specific page for tailored repair steps.