Bosch Dishwasher Drain Pump
Replacement drain pump when filters and hose are clear but E24 persists.
$60
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E24 is the second most common Bosch dishwasher error. It means the machine can’t drain — water is stuck in the tub. The fix in about 70% of E24 cases is simply cleaning the filter system at the bottom of the tub. It takes five minutes.
Quick Reference
| Code | Meaning | Severity | DIY or Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| E24 | Drain blockage | Low | DIY — 5 min |
| E25 | Drain pump / cover fault | Medium | DIY |
| E24 new install | Disposal plug left in | Low | DIY |
What This Error Means
E24 tells you the drain is obstructed. The drain pump ran but couldn’t move water through the system fast enough. This is usually a filter clog, a kinked drain hose, or (less commonly) a blocked pump impeller.
Common Causes
- Clogged triple filter — The most common cause. Bosch dishwashers have a self-cleaning filter system that still requires manual cleaning every 1–2 months. Food particles, glass fragments, and grease accumulate there.
- Kinked drain hose — The hose from the pump to the sink drain is bent or compressed.
- Garbage disposal knockout not removed — When connecting a new dishwasher to a new garbage disposal, a plastic knockout plug inside the disposal inlet must be removed first. If left in, water can’t drain.
- Air gap clog — If your installation uses a counter-top air gap fitting, it can clog with debris.
- Failed drain pump — If filter is clean and hose is clear, the pump has worn out.
Step-by-Step Fix
Start here — clean the filter (solves E24 most of the time):
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Remove the lower dish rack. Set it aside.
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Locate the filter assembly at the bottom center of the tub. You’ll see a cylindrical mesh filter and a flat plate filter beside or below it.
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Remove the cylindrical filter. Turn it counterclockwise about a quarter turn and lift it straight up. On Bosch Series 500/800 models there may be an arrow indicating the unlock direction.
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Lift out the flat filter. It sits beneath the cylindrical filter — just lift it straight up.
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Rinse both filters. Take them to the sink and rinse under running water. Use an old toothbrush to scrub the mesh — food particles, grease, and glass fragments pack into the mesh and don’t rinse out without scrubbing. Hold the cylindrical filter up to the light — you should be able to see light through the mesh when clean.
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Check the pump impeller area. Reach into the drain opening where the filter was and feel around the impeller. Run your finger carefully around the housing — broken glass, seeds, and bone chips commonly jam here. Remove any debris you find.
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Reinstall the filters. Flat filter first, then cylindrical filter — rotate clockwise to lock.
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Run a short rinse cycle to test. E24 should clear if the filter was the cause.
If filter is clean — check the drain hose:
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Pull the dishwasher out slightly and trace the drain hose. It should have no kinks, and if it connects to a garbage disposal, confirm the disposal’s knockout plug was removed.
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If the drain connects through an air gap fitting on the counter, unscrew the top of the air gap and check for debris inside.
Parts You May Need
When to Call a Technician
If the filter is clean, hose is clear, and garbage disposal knockout is out but E24 persists, run a short cycle and listen at the bottom of the machine. You should hear the drain pump running. If silent, the pump has failed. Bosch drain pump replacement is a bottom-access job that requires laying the machine on its side.