Bosch SHP78CM5N food is left on the dishes

Cause 1 of 9Dishware was placed too close together or the rack is overfilled. Source: Troubleshooting (cont.), p. 41

First checkArrange dishware with sufficient space in between so the spray jets reach the surfaces of the dishware.

Causes and checks

  1. Dishware was placed too close together or the rack is overfilled. Source: Troubleshooting (cont.), p. 41

    1. Arrange dishware with sufficient space in between so the spray jets reach the surfaces of the dishware.
    2. Avoid points of contact.
  2. Spray arm rotation is blocked. Source: Troubleshooting (cont.), p. 42

    1. Arrange dishware so it does not obstruct spray arm rotation.
  3. Spray arm nozzles are blocked. Source: Troubleshooting (cont.), p. 42

    1. Clean the spray arms. See Clean the spray arms.
  4. The filters are dirty. Source: Troubleshooting (cont.), p. 42

    1. Clean the filters. See Clean the filters.
  5. The filters are inserted incorrectly or not engaged. Source: Troubleshooting (cont.), p. 42

    1. Insert the filters properly.
    2. Twist the filters into place.
  6. The selected wash cycle is too light. Source: Troubleshooting (cont.), p. 42

    1. Select a more intensive wash program.
    2. Adjust the sensitivity of the sensors (SE:00 to SE:02).
  7. Dishware has been precleaned too intensively, so the sensors choose a lighter cycle and stubborn remnants cannot be entirely removed. Source: Troubleshooting (cont.), p. 42

    1. Only remove large remnants of food and do not pre-rinse dishware.
    2. Adjust the sensitivity of the sensors (SE:00 to SE:02).
  8. Tall narrow containers in corner areas are not rinsed out adequately. Source: Troubleshooting (cont.), p. 42

    1. Do not position tall narrow containers at too great an angle or in corner areas.
  9. The upper rack on the right and left is not set to the same height. Source: Troubleshooting (cont.), p. 42

    1. Set the upper rack on the left and right to the same height.

Service

If the checks above do not clear it, contact Bosch Customer Service: 1-800-944-2904, bosch-home.com/us/owner-support/get-support. United States and Canada. Source: Customer Service, p. 50

Other SHP78CM5N problems

Sources

  1. Use and Care Manual, Dishwasher SHP78CM5N. BSH Home Appliances Corporation. Document 9001641455, revision C, 56 pages, en-US. media3.bsh-group.com (PDF). Listed on the manufacturer's support page. Retrieved 13 November 2026.

Page numbers are the numbers printed in the manual. Where this page and the manual differ, follow the manual.

Applies to
SHP78CM5N. United States and Canada.
Source
Use and Care Manual, Dishwasher SHP78CM5N, 9001641455 revision C
Last verified
Handbook
Bosch SHP78CM5N dishwasher in Dishwashers; all Bosch handbooks