Why sanitize button?

Shut door, select cycle and options, press start.

The Sanitize Option was not able to be switched off by pressing of buttons on a Bosch SHE863WF6N. Nothing appears in the manual about how to turn it off. (It might be noted that the other options appeared as though they probably could not be toggled either, though this was not thoroughly checked.) At this point, the dishwasher was unplugged (disconnected from the mains) for several minutes. Upon reconnecting the machine power, and though the dishwasher Sanitize option light was still on, it then became possible to turn the Sanitize option light off by simply pressing the Sanitize option button.

Here's a troubleshooting guide, it should help for starters:
Common Bosch Dishwasher Problems And Solutions

OK I am not an expert but I have spent the last two weeks learning about and fixing my dishwasher! Hopefully I can save you a headache. Try the following:

* Try turning off the switch for a longer period of time - 10-15 minutes. This may reset your washer.
* If any of your button lights come on but a regular cycle will not start, try running diagnostic/reset cycles by pressing heated dry -normal- heated dry or heated dry-sanitize-heated dry in sequence. If the cycles run fine, you will rule out a power, latch, motor/drying issue. It also may (hopefully) reset your system.
* If your buttons do not light up or normal function still does not resume after the reset, make sure your power (from the breaker box) is turned off and unscrew (with a star-shaped screwdriver bit - check your car emergency kit/toolbox, you may find you have it) and open the front button control panel and check all connections. Try carefully unplugging and replugging wires and look for any corrosion/moisture on the circuit board.
* If that does not work, test the circuit board by unplugging the green ribbon cable from the control panel, reassembling with the ribbon cable unplugged, flipping your circuit back on and then closing the dishwasher door. If the drain motor runs, it will show you that there is power getting into the machine and that there is still some function with the circuit board. Although it doesn't rule out the circuit board completely, it will point to the possibility of a control (button) panel issue and you may try replacing that. If the drain test does NOT run, it may be the circuit board that needs to be replaced.

There may be some additional instructions specific to your model hidden in an envelope behind the kickplate of your washer.

Hopefully some of that helps!

Wash Cycle Options

Delay Start (model dependent):

This option allows you to delay the start time of your dishwasher up

to 19 hours.

Sanitize:

The Sanitize feature is available only in the Heavy, Auto, Normal and Half Load cycles. Press the

"Sanitize Option" button to activate the Sanitation features during these cycles. The technical sanitation

measures may also improve the drying results. The sanitize LED or The "Water Pipe" symbol will light when sanitation

requirements are met.

Note: The dishwasher automatically defaults to Auto Wash when turned off and back on. If you used the sanitize option
in your last cycle, the dishwasher will default to Auto Wash with the Sanitize option selected when you turn it on.

To achieve proper drying, always use a liquid rinse aid, even if your detergent contains a rinse aid or

drying additive.

Note: The dishwasher indicates low rinse aid by turning on the Refill Rinse Aid indicator LED (for units without

a display) or The "Spray Looking" symbol (for units with a display).

If this light is on, you need to refill the rinse aid dispenser

I got the idea that the "squiggly arrow" has something to do with the sanitize feature also. If you post your model number "on the inside right hand side of your dishwasher door" I'll go get your manual and post the link here. Hope this helps so far! :)

Try putting the unit into a test mode. This my clear your issues otherwise call for service.

One of two ways to do this.
In standby (no lights) Press the combination of buttons:
hi temp wash > sanitize > hi temp wash > sanitize > hi temp wash
All lights will come on and the washer will run a test cycle anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes.
If that button comb doesn't work use:
heated dry > sanitize > heated dry > sanitize > heated dry

Hi,

Some SHX46 washers have 4 wash cycle buttons and others have 5. The button on the left side on top of the door is the start/stop button regardless of how many wash cycle buttons you have.

If you have 5 cycle buttons, reading from left to right they will be as follows.

1. Top Rack Only / Sanitize
2. Power Scrub Plus - (Long wash for heavy soil)
3. Regular Wash - (Economy wash for light to medium soil)
4. Delicate Wash - (Shorter wash at a lower temperature for delicate items)
5. Rinse & Hold.

These buttons are also used for cancelling a wash cycle. Hold down buttons 2 and 4 (Power Scrub Plus and Delicate) at the same time to cancel a wash cycle and drain the water out.

If your washer does have 4 buttons, it means you don't have a Top Rack / Sanitize cycle, in which case the button configuration - from left to right - will be:

1. Power Scrub Plus - (Long wash for heavy soil)
2. Regular Wash - (Economy wash for light to medium soil)
3. Delicate Wash - (Shorter wash at a lower temperature for delicate items)
4. Rinse & Hold.

With this button configuration, the cancel cycle buttons are 1 and 3.

I hope this solves your problem. If you need any additional information, please post back.

Regards,
BElectric

Hi,

Some SHX46A washers have 4 cycles and others have 5 cycles.

I'm fairly sure your model has the hidden buttons on the top of the door and you stated you have five-cycle buttons, in which case they will be as follows.

1. Top Rack only cycle or Sanitize
2. Power Scrub Plus
3. Regular Wash
4. Delicate Wash
5. Rinse and Hold.

These buttons are also used for cancelling a wash cycle. Hold down "Power Scrub Plus" and "Delicate" at the same time to cancel a cycle and drain the water out.

If your washer does have 4 buttons, it means you don't have a Top Rack / Sanitize cycle, in which case the button configuration (from left to right) will be:

1. Power Scrub Plus
2. Regular Wash
3. Delicate Wash
4. Rinse and Hold.

I hope this solves your problem. If you need any additional information, please post back.

Regards,
BElectric

You don't need an additive.
The sanitized LED itself is probably out.
It will not light up if the sensor doesn't sense that the water has reached 155 F. If the dishes are getting clean, I assume the heater is working properly. You could have a failed sensor, but you would usually notice longer than normal wash times and the dishwasher getting hotter than usual.
Alternately press heat dry and hi temp scrub 4 times. This puts washer into diagnostic mode. The first thing that happens is all the LED's light up. If it lights up then it is ok and the problem is somewhere else.
If these instructions don't apply to your machine, please post the complete model number from the decal just inside the front of the tub and I will look it up for you.