Standing water in the bottom of the dishwasher, a program that stopped partway, and E24 or E25 on the display. These are the two drain codes Bosch dishwashers show most, and they are close relatives with different first steps.
Bosch publishes the fix for both. National Appliance Repairs services Bosch dishwashers across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, and these are two codes most owners can clear themselves.
E24 and E25 are not the same
| Code | What Bosch says it means | Where to look first |
|---|---|---|
| E24 | Water is not draining properly: the drain hose is kinked or sharply bent, or the drain path is clogged | The drain hose and the filters |
| E25 | The drain pump is blocked, or the drain pump cover is loose or missing | Under the filter, at the pump cover |
| E15 | Water has reached the base tray (AquaStop) | Different fault entirely |
The useful distinction: E24 is about the route the water takes. E25 is about the pump at the start of it. A drain hose crushed behind the cabinetry gives you E24. A piece of glass jammed in the pump gives you E25.
Before you start
Switch the dishwasher off at the wall. You will be reaching into the area around the drain pump, and broken glass is one of the most common finds. Have a sponge, a small container and a towel ready, and take the bottom basket out.
Fixing E25: clear the pump
Bosch’s steps, adapted for an Australian kitchen:
- Remove the filter assembly from the base of the dishwasher.
- Find the drain pump cover underneath, usually a small white cover with a tab.
- Prise the cover off with a spoon until it clicks, as Bosch’s guidance describes. Grip it, pull upward until you feel resistance, then pull forward to remove it.
- Sponge out the standing water and remove any debris from the pump. Look for glass, fruit stickers, olive pits, bones and plastic. Use care, and gloves if there is any chance of glass.
- Refit the cover so it clicks fully into place. A cover that is not properly seated produces E25 on its own, even with nothing in the pump.
- Refit the filters and run a rinse or short program to test.
The cover step is worth stressing. Plenty of E25 calls turn out to be a cover that was refitted loosely after the last filter clean.
Fixing E24: clear the route
- Clean the filters properly. Lift out the filter assembly, separate the parts, and rinse them under running water. A filter that looks fine from above can be packed underneath.
- Check the drain hose. Pull the dishwasher forward slightly if you can, and look for kinks, sharp bends, or a hose crushed against the wall.
- Check the sink connection. In Australian kitchens the dishwasher usually drains into a spigot on the sink waste. Check it is not blocked with food waste or grease.
- On a new installation, check the spigot was opened. The plastic knockout inside a new waste spigot sometimes never gets punched through. Bosch flags the same issue with a blocked connection on new installations. The dishwasher cannot drain from its first cycle.
- Run the program again.
If the code remains after the clean-out, Bosch’s guidance is to reset the dishwasher and, if it persists, contact service.
Why it keeps coming back
A drain code that returns every few weeks is usually telling you about habits, not hardware.
- The filters are not being cleaned often enough. Bosch filters are designed for regular owner cleaning. In a busy household, monthly is a sensible minimum.
- Plates are going in with solid food on them. Scraping, not rinsing, is the recommended approach, but bones, seeds and labels still need to come off.
- The drain hose has no high loop. Without one, dirty water from the sink can siphon back into the dishwasher. Our guide to installation faults that look like breakdowns covers this.
If E24 or E25 keeps returning with clean filters and a clear hose, the drain pump itself may be failing. A pump that hums but does not move water is a common sign.
When it needs a technician
Book if the code persists after a full clean-out and reset, if the pump hums without draining, or if you can see a damaged impeller once the cover is off. Book immediately if the display shows E15 or there is water on the floor. Our guide to the Bosch E15 error explains that one.
Our dishwasher repair service covers Bosch across all five capitals, with same-day appointments subject to availability, upfront quoting, and a 12-month parts warranty with a 3-month labour warranty.
Call:
- Melbourne 03 9123 0548
- Sydney 02 9621 5988
- Brisbane 07 3166 9770
- Adelaide 08 7123 4027 or
- Perth 08 9470 4450
Tell us which code, and whether you have already cleared the pump cover.
For the general drainage checks on any brand, see our guide to dishwashers that won’t drain.
Frequently asked questions
What does E24 mean on a Bosch dishwasher?
The dishwasher is not draining properly. Bosch points to a kinked or bent drain hose, or a clogged drain path. Clean the filters and check the hose first.
What does E25 mean on a Bosch dishwasher?
The drain pump is blocked, or its cover is loose or missing. Remove the filter, take off the pump cover, clear the debris, and refit the cover until it clicks.
What is the difference between E24 and E25?
E24 is about the drain route: filter, hose and sink connection. E25 is about the pump itself: a blockage or a loose cover.
Why did E25 appear right after I cleaned the filter?
Usually because the pump cover was disturbed and not fully reseated. Remove it and refit it until it clicks.
Can I keep using the dishwasher with E24 or E25?
Not until it drains. Standing water does not fix itself, and running the pump against a blockage can damage it.
The short version
E24 is the drain route, E25 is the pump. For E25, take off the pump cover, clear the debris and click the cover back in. For E24, clean the filters, straighten the hose and check the sink spigot, including the knockout on a new install.
If either code survives a full clean-out, the pump is the next suspect. National Appliance Repairs services Bosch dishwashers across five capitals with upfront quoting. Book online or call your nearest office.
Sources to link at publish: Bosch owner support, dishwasher error codes E24 and E25 (use the Bosch Australia equivalent, confirm URL at publish)
