Bosch Dishwasher Error Codes: E15, E24, E25, E22 and More

Bosch dishwasher error codes tell you which system has a problem: E24, E25 and E22 are drain and filter codes you can often clear yourself, E15 means water has reached the base, and codes such as E09 and E01 point to the heater or the electronics. Codes can vary by model, so confirm yours in your owner's manual or on Bosch's error code page.

The four-digit codes in parentheses are the longer versions Bosch lists with the same meanings.

Safety first: switch the dishwasher off at its circuit breaker before you reach into the sump or remove the kick plate, and if there is water on the floor, switch off the breaker before you touch the dishwasher.

How to reset a Bosch dishwasher

Write the code down first. Then:

• To cancel a cycle and drain: Bosch says to press Reset (marked Reset 4 sec. on some models) or the Start button for about 4 seconds. The dishwasher pumps out the remaining water, which takes about a minute, and the cycle is cancelled. Then open the door and press On/Off.
• For electronic fault codes such as E01, E02, E03, E09 and E27: Bosch's error code list says to reset the power at the breaker for 30 seconds, restore it, and contact support if the code returns.
• After fixing a drain problem: Bosch says to reset the dishwasher and the error code as your owner's manual describes.

Resets for other brands are in how to reset a dishwasher.

Drain and filter codes

E24: not draining

E24 means the dishwasher is not draining properly because the drain filter is blocked. Bosch's E24 page lists a blocked drain hose, a dirty filter, a loose pump cover, an unsealed siphon (sink drain) connection, a kinked or damaged hose, and a disposal knockout plug that was never removed. With the breaker off, work through Bosch's checks:

1. Check the hose for kinks or damage.
2. Make sure the connection at the sink drain, which Bosch calls the siphon connection, is properly sealed.
3. Find the drain pump cover under the filter (your manual shows where) and make sure it is not loose.
4. If the dishwasher drains into a garbage disposal, make sure the plug has been removed from the disposal's dishwasher drain connection. Bosch notes this is common with new disposals.
5. Clean the filter.
6. Reset the dishwasher and the code as your owner's manual describes.

If you have an air gap next to the faucet, it is worth clearing that too.

When to call: the filter, cover and hose are clear and E24 comes back. The drain pump is the likely suspect; see our dishwasher not draining checklist.

E25: drain pump blocked

E25 means the drain pump is blocked, or the pump cover is loose or missing. Bosch's steps, with the breaker off:

1. Remove the filter to expose the drain pump cover.
2. Pry the cover up with a spoon until it clicks, pull it upward until you feel resistance, then pull it forward to remove it.
3. Remove any debris and standing water with a sponge. Bosch cautions that some debris may be sharp.
4. Put the cover back firmly, then the filter.

When to call: the pump is clear and the code returns, or you hear a hum with no draining.

E22: filter blocked

Bosch says E22 means the dishwasher filter is blocked. Remove the filter from the bottom of the tub (your manual shows how), wash it under running water with mild soap and a soft brush, and reinstall it. Food, grease, undissolved detergent and minerals that build up on the filter can hurt performance and even damage the filter and pump, so clean it every few months.

When to call: the filter is clean and the code keeps coming back.

E23: drain pump fault

Bosch lists E23 as a drain pump that may be blocked, clogged or faulty, and says to contact support. Check the pump for debris as described for E25; if it is clear, the pump needs a technician.

Leak and water supply codes

E15: water in the base

E15 means the safety switch has detected water in the base of the dishwasher and the leakage protection has activated. Bosch's instruction is short: turn off the water supply to the dishwasher and contact Bosch customer support. There are no published do-it-yourself steps for this code.

Switch off the breaker as well, and do not keep resetting and running loads. E15 is a symptom, and the code keeps returning until the leak is fixed and the base is dry. Common sources are suds from dish soap or too much detergent, a leaking hose or fitting, the inlet valve, a pump seal or the door seal; our guide to a dishwasher leaking from the bottom covers each one, and a persistent E15 is a job for Bosch dishwasher repair.

When to call: right away, especially if you see water under the dishwasher.

E14: water flow or flow meter

Bosch says E14 means a flow meter failure, or a problem with water flowing into the dishwasher, and to contact support. Make sure the water valve under the sink is fully open first. If it is, E14 needs service.

E16 and E17: water not flowing in properly

Bosch groups E16 and E17 as a problem with water flowing into the dishwasher or the filling system. Check that the inlet hose is not kinked or damaged, then contact support if the code persists.

E18: water level too low

E18 means the water level is too low, because the dishwasher is not filling or pumping properly. Check the inlet hose for kinks and make sure the water supply is on; Bosch specifies a flow of 10 liters (about 2.6 gallons) per minute. Call if it returns.

Heater and electronic codes

E09: heater fault

Bosch describes E09 as a heat pump internal heater fault, meaning the heater inside the pump assembly. Switch off the breaker for 30 seconds, and contact support if the code returns. A repeat E09 points to the heat pump or its wiring.

E01: heat pump motor circuit

Bosch says E01 is a fault in the heat pump motor circuit at the main control board. Reset at the breaker for 30 seconds; if it returns, the pump, its wiring and the board need testing.

E02 and E03: control board relay

Bosch lists E02 and E03 as a main control board relay fault. Reset at the breaker for 30 seconds, and contact support if the code returns.

E27: low house voltage

E27 means the house power supply to the dishwasher is too low. Reset at the breaker for 30 seconds. If it recurs, Bosch says to have an electrician check it; that is a wiring problem, not a dishwasher repair.

Newer four-digit codes

Bosch's list gives many of its longer codes the same meanings as the older ones:

• E3100: water in the base, like E15.
• E6103: drain blockage, like E24.
• E6102: drain pump blocked or cover loose, like E25.
• E9240: blocked filter, like E22.
• E3000: flow meter or water flow problem, like E14.
• E6001: heater fault, like E09.
• E9001: house power too low, like E27.

What usually fails

• Drain pump. E24, E25 or E23 that return with a clean filter and a clear hose.
• Heat pump. E09 or E01 that return after a reset.
• The source of a leak. E15: a hose, valve, pump seal or door seal.
• Inlet valve or flow meter. E14, E16, E17 or E18 with the water fully on.
• Control board. Relay faults such as E02 or E03 that return after a reset.

What it costs in Atlanta

The diagnostic is $80, waived when you approve the repair, and you get a written flat-rate estimate before any work begins. On standard brands, typical dishwasher repairs run about $250 to $430 all in; premium brands, Bosch among them, can run higher, and circulation pumps and boards cost the most. See typical total costs. The repair is done on the first visit when the part is in stock, and if a part has to be ordered, there is no trip charge for the return visit. Every repair carries our 60-day parts-and-labor warranty. See our Bosch page.

Repair or replace?

As a rough estimate, InterNACHI's life-expectancy chart puts a dishwasher at about 9 years, so a pump or heater repair is usually worth pricing out on a machine that is not near the end of its life. Our repair-or-replace guide has the details.

Schedule a visit or read about our dishwasher repair service. Prefer to talk? Call (470) 778-4087.