Bosch Dishwasher Detergent Dispenser Lid 00166621 Guide


Steven E / Friday June 6, 2025


Is your dishwasher leaving you high and dry with a broken detergent lid? Don’t let a simple malfunction disrupt your clean routine! Dive into our easy step-by-step guide—complete with a handy how-to video below—to seamlessly replace that faulty lid and keep your Bosch, Thermador, or Gaggenau dishwasher working like new.

Looking for the right part? Enter your appliance model number below to find the exact match and get your appliance running like new again!

The detergent lid sits over the dispenser cup which holds the dishwasher detergent, rinse aid, and other cleaning agents. Over time, the heat, steam, and chemical exposure inside the dishwasher can lead to cracking, breaking, or a degraded seal on the lid. Replacing a broken or faulty detergent lid on your Bosch, Thermador, or Gaggenau dishwasher is an easy do-it-yourself project that you can knock out in just a few minutes. Let’s dig in!

Watch the repair here: How to install detergent lid 

The information in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. We recommend consulting your manufacturer’s documentation or contact us with any questions.

Safety first 

When working on any appliance, always keep safety first to avoid personal injury or damage to the appliance or parts. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind: 

  • Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before attempting any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by preventing any risk of electric shock. 
  • If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time to cool down before working on it. 
  • Take your time and don’t rush while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries.
  • Work in a well-lit area so you can clearly see and access appliance parts.
  • Keep your workspace free of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
  • Never work on internal parts with wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
  • Check the user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions related to your appliance or replacement part. 
  • Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause personal injury.
  • Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts and debris.
  • When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
  • Consider wearing safety glasses and/or a dust mask when working with chemicals, dust or a large amount of debris to prevent irritation or injury.

Materials needed

  • New Bosch dishwasher detergent lid (grab one at AppliancePartsPros.com if you don’t have it yet)
  • That’s it—no special tools required!

Safety precautions

When working on any appliance, remember to keep safety first. Here are some tips to keep in mind: 

  • Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before attempting any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by preventing any risk of injury from electric shock.
  • Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts, pinching hazards and debris.
  • Take your time and don’t rush while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries.
  • Work in a well-lit area so you can clearly see and access the interior parts.
  • Clear your workspace of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
  • Never work on internal parts with bare wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
  • Check your user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions for your part or appliance. 
  • Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause injury.
  • Wear safety glasses when working with chemicals, dust or cleaning large debris to prevent injury. 
  • If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time for any heating parts to cool down before working on it. 
  • Take pictures or make a note of wiring terminals or other connections before disconnecting to prevent any problems with reassembly.
  • When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
  • Turn off the water supply at the outlet before beginning repairs to any appliance parts that hold water. Have towels ready for any residual water in the system when removing parts. 

Disassembly and Removal Steps

Disconnect the power and water to the dishwasher before starting any repairs for safety. We’re working on the inside of the door, so open it up fully. 

  1. If the old lid already fell off, you can skip this step!
  2. If it’s still attached and closed, press the release button to pop it open.
  3. Slide the lid sideways to release the hinge pins.
  4. Gently lift the lid up to disconnect the spring from underneath.
  5. Slide the lid completely off the dispenser.

Installation and Reassembly Steps

  1. Line up the pins on the lid with the little cutouts on the dispenser.
  2. Slide the lid sideways so the pins lock into the slots.
  3. Take the spring and locate the straight side—this goes into the blue retainer on the lid.
  4. The other side of the spring curves upward and hooks onto a peg underneath the lid.
  5. Place the spring down into its slot, making sure it fits into the cutout area.
  6. Lower the detergent lid down over it.
  7. Snap the spring onto the peg under the lid, making sure it’s pointing downward so it can do its job during the wash cycle.
  8. With the spring in place, slide the lid back slightly so the pins drop securely into the slots.
  9. Then slide it forward to lock everything in.
  10. Test the lid by opening and closing it—it should move smoothly.
  11. Close the dishwasher door. Plug the dishwasher back in. Turn the water supply back on.
  12. Run a quick cycle to make sure everything’s working as it should.

More Information

Thanks for reading! We hope this article helped you replace the detergent lid in your Bosch, Thermador or Gaggenau dishwasher.

If you still need some replacement parts, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com. We offer over two million parts and most orders arrive in two business days. If you need some help with finding the right part or placing an order, you can contact our team at 1 (877) 477-7278.

While you’re waiting for your new part to arrive, you can explore our DIY blog and watch thousands of video tutorials on our YouTube channel.

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