If your Bosch dishwasher stops mid-cycle with water sitting in the bottom and an E24 or E25 on the display, it’s telling you the water can’t get out. Both are drain errors, but they point to different places:
| Code | What it means | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| E24 | Not draining properly; the drain hose or outlet is blocked or kinked | Drain hose, sink connection, garbage disposer inlet |
| E25 | The drain pump is blocked or its cover is loose | Filter area and the drain pump cover underneath it |
Related Bosch codes worth knowing: E22 commonly points to dirty filters, and E15 means water has been detected in the base of the dishwasher. E15 is different: turn off the water supply to the dishwasher and call for service rather than continuing to run it.
Safety First
Turn the dishwasher off and switch off its breaker (or unplug it if the plug is accessible under the sink) before reaching into the filter or pump area. Lay down towels. There will be water, and it may be hot if the cycle was recent. Watch for broken glass in the sump.
How to Fix Bosch E24
E24 is usually a problem between the dishwasher and your sink drain.
- Check the drain hose for kinks. Open the cabinet under the sink and follow the grey or ribbed hose from the dishwasher. If the dishwasher was recently pushed back into place, the hose behind it may be crushed.
- Check the sink connection. The hose usually connects to a branch on the sink drain or to the garbage disposer. Disconnect it (with a bucket underneath) and look for food packed at the connection.
- New garbage disposer? If the error appeared right after a disposer was installed, the plastic knockout plug inside the disposer’s dishwasher inlet may never have been removed. The hose then has nowhere to drain. This is a classic cause of E24 on a new install.
- Run the disposer for a few seconds if you have one. A full disposer can back up into the dishwasher hose.
- Check the sink itself. If the kitchen sink drains slowly, the clog is in the household drain, not the dishwasher.
- Confirm the pump cover is secure (see the E25 steps below). A loose cover can also trigger E24 on some models.
How to Fix Bosch E25
E25 means something is in the drain pump or the pump cover isn’t sitting right. Typical culprits are glass shards, olive pits, fruit stickers, bones and bits of plastic.
- Remove the bottom rack.
- Take out the filters. On most Bosch models, twist the cylindrical micro-filter counter-clockwise and lift it out along with the flat fine filter beneath it.
- Remove standing water. Use a cup and a sponge to bail the sump until you can see the bottom.
- Find the pump cover. Under where the filter sat, there’s a small (often white) plastic cover. On many models you lever it up with a spoon handle at the tab, tilting it toward you.
- Clear the pump. Look inside for debris and remove it carefully. Gently turn the small impeller with your finger; it should spin freely (it’s normal for it to move in steps).
- Reseat the cover. Push it down until it clicks into place. A cover that isn’t fully seated can cause the error to return.
- Clean and refit the filters, twisting the micro-filter clockwise until it locks.
- Restore power and run a short rinse or drain. On many models you can cancel the program to start a drain.
How to reset the code
After clearing the blockage, restore power and start a new program, or press and hold Start/Reset for a few seconds (depending on the model) to cancel and drain. If the dishwasher drains and finishes without the code coming back, you’ve fixed it.
Preventing E24 and E25
- Scrape plates well, especially bones, seeds and pits.
- Clean the filters regularly, roughly once a month or more often with heavy use. Bosch commonly shows E22 when the filters need attention.
- Run the garbage disposer before starting the dishwasher.
- Don’t wash items with loose paper labels.
When to Call a Pro
Call a technician if:
- The code returns after you’ve cleared the hose, filters and pump.
- The pump hums but doesn’t drain, or makes no sound at all.
- You see E15 (water in the base) or any leak under the dishwasher.
- The drain hose needs replacing behind the unit, which means pulling the dishwasher out.
Our dishwasher repair technicians work on Bosch dishwashers every week, along with Miele, KitchenAid, Whirlpool and other major brands.
Book a repair: call 647-642-1414 or book a visit online. We’re open 7 AM to 11 PM every day, statutory holidays included, at the same price, and we serve Toronto, North York, Scarborough and Etobicoke. The $70 service call is waived when you go ahead with the repair, and our repairs carry a 3 to 6 month warranty depending on the job. We’ve been fixing appliances since 2004 with licensed, insured and certified technicians. Read our 350+ Google reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does E24 mean on a Bosch dishwasher?
E24 means the dishwasher isn’t draining properly, usually because the drain hose is kinked or blocked, or the sink or garbage disposer connection is clogged.
What does E25 mean on a Bosch dishwasher?
E25 means the drain pump is blocked or its cover is loose. Remove the filters, clear debris from the pump, and make sure the cover clicks back into place.
How do I reset my Bosch dishwasher after an E24 or E25?
Clear the blockage, restore power, and start a new program or hold Start/Reset for a few seconds to cancel and drain. If the code doesn’t return, the problem is fixed.
Can I still use my Bosch dishwasher with an E24 error?
It won’t finish a cycle until it can drain. Fix the blockage first. If the code persists after you’ve cleaned the hose, filter and pump, book a repair.