Bosch Dishwasher E24 Error — What It Means and How to Fix It

E24 is the most common Bosch dishwasher error code we see in Kerrville TX homes — and it almost always appears at the worst possible time, usually after the dinner dishes have been loaded and the cycle has started. The good news: E24 is a drain error, and in many cases it is caused by something simple that you can check yourself before calling a technician.

What Does E24 Mean on a Bosch Dishwasher?

E24 means the Bosch dishwasher detected that water is not draining within the expected time. This is not a component failure code by itself — it tells you there is a drain restriction somewhere in the system. The causes range from a simple kinked hose (free to fix) to a failed drain pump (professional repair required).

E25 is a related code that specifically indicates a drain pump blockage — a foreign object caught in the pump impeller. Both codes use the same diagnostic approach below.

Check 1: Inspect the Drain Hose

The drain hose runs from the dishwasher pump to your sink drain or garbage disposal. It is the most overlooked cause of E24:

• Pull the dishwasher out slightly and check the drain hose at the back — it should have a high loop under the sink (a U-shape) to prevent backflow
• If the hose does not have a high loop, water can siphon back into the dishwasher and trigger E24
• Check that the hose is not kinked anywhere along its length
• If the dishwasher drains into a garbage disposal — check that the knockout plug has been removed from the disposal's dishwasher inlet port (a common issue after a new disposal is installed)

Check 2: Clean the Filter and Drain Sump

The most common cause of E24 in Bosch dishwashers that are more than a year old is a clogged filter and drain sump:

• Remove the bottom rack
• Twist out the cylindrical filter and lift out the flat mesh filter beneath it
• Rinse both under hot running water with a soft brush — do not use a wire brush
• Check the drain sump (the well beneath the filter) for debris — glass fragments are a common culprit in Bosch dishwashers
• Replace the filter and run a short cycle to test

Check 3: Check the Drain Pump

If the filter is clean and the hose is unkinked, the next check is the drain pump itself. The Bosch drain pump is located beneath the filter in the sump area. You can often check it without tools:

• With the filter removed, shine a flashlight down into the sump and look for the drain pump impeller (it looks like a small plastic propeller)
• Carefully reach in (with the power disconnected) and try to rotate the impeller gently — it should spin freely
• If it is jammed, a small piece of glass, a cherry pit, a seed, or other debris may be caught in the impeller
• Remove the obstruction carefully and test the cycle

Check 4: Check the Air Gap (If Installed)

If your kitchen has an air gap fitting on the countertop near the sink, it can become blocked with debris over time — causing a drain restriction that triggers E24. Remove the air gap cap, clear any debris, and replace. This takes 2 minutes.

When to Call a Professional

If all four checks above have been done and E24 persists, the issue is likely a failed drain pump motor — the impeller spins freely but the motor has burned out and cannot move water. This requires professional diagnosis and drain pump replacement.

For same-day Bosch appliance repair Kerrville TX, call (830) 532-2188. We carry Bosch drain pump assemblies for all major models on every service truck.