On the SHX78CM5N, custom lower-rack zones are configured in Home Connect. If no custom zone is specified, the manual says all four lower-rack zones are activated; that default alone does not show a malfunction.
Models covered
SHX78CM5N with the full E-Nr /suffix and control panel matched to the cited manual revision; similar model names alone do not establish applicability.
Stop and isolate power before permitted user maintenance, and let water cool. Watch for sharp debris. Do not reach blindly into a sump, open electrical panels or use drain-opening chemicals. Stay clear of water near electrical equipment.
Compare the behavior
Match the documented control, cycle or feature before interpreting the result. The comparison below keeps normal model behavior separate from an unresolved fault.
| Observed state | Interpretation / next step |
|---|---|
| No custom zones saved | All-four-zone default is documented. |
| Pan moved since last load | Compare its new position with the saved map. |
| E6160 displayed | Use reference-position fault guidance. |
Model-specific checks
Read the saved lower-rack map
Before changing anything, compare the items in the lower rack with the saved zone map in the app. A pan moved to another corner is not necessarily in the intensive zone you used last time. The option concerns the lower-rack spray pattern, not a promise that every shelf receives identical treatment. The manual distinguishes front and back intensive arrangements from custom zones. Use the app to inspect the current custom map instead of repeatedly pressing a panel option and assuming it clears the saved map. The settings persist until you redefine them.
Make one controlled comparison
For a meaningful check, keep the cycle, detergent and typical soil similar while aligning the difficult items with the selected area. Avoid crowding adjacent items over the surfaces you want sprayed. This comparison can identify a loading/settings mismatch; it cannot prove that the positioning mechanism is healthy.
Separate a saved map from an error
A saved configuration and a displayed E6160 are different states. If a code appears, preserve it and use the code-specific service guidance. Do not force or reposition the controlled arm by hand to “teach” it its reference position. Repeatedly changing app zones is not a substitute for fault diagnosis.
What to record next
This turns an abstract feature description into an interpretable loading comparison. A remembered map explains a repeatable result without inventing a failed part.
When to stop and get help
Only carry out maintenance permitted in your model’s manual. For service, note the full model number and suffix, displayed code, selected cycle and what happened during the checks. Leave internal wiring, gas components, pumps and safety devices to a qualified professional. A symptom alone does not identify a failed part.
Sources & references
- Four-zone default and persistence of app-defined zones §6 Options, custom lower-rack cleaning
Based on publicly available manuals, manufacturer support and the references listed here. We have not inspected or tested your appliance. Follow the instructions for your exact model; a guide cannot replace an in-person diagnosis.