Troubleshooting Bosch Dishwasher E24 E25 Error Codes

For a dishwasher to work correctly, it must let water in and out of the machine without any problems. If the machine ever struggles to drain the dirty water out, it’ll start to display an error code. On Bosch dishwashers, the error codes E24 and E25 are triggered by a failure to drain water.

If you see the error code E24 or E25 on your Bosch dishwasher, it’s because the appliance cannot drain water out of the machine. Even though both error codes point to a draining failure, each of them points to a different root cause. E24 suggests that the drain filter is blocked, while E25 suggests that the root problem is the drain pump.

In this article, we will take a closer look at both error codes and their possible causes. We’ll also look at how you can fix the problem and return the machine back to good working order.

Let’s get started.

What Do E24 And E25 Error Codes Mean On A Bosch Dishwasher?

When the E24 or E25 error codes appear on your Bosch dishwasher, that’s an indicator that dirty water cannot drain out from the machine. While the problem may be similar, the difference between the two codes is the root cause behind that problem.

The E24 error code on your Bosch dishwasher means that the failure to drain is related to the drain filter. 

On the other hand, the E25 error code points to the root cause being related to the drain pump.

We’ll dive deeper into the drain pump, air gap, impeller cover, and drain pipes or hoses in the following section.

Related: All Bosch Dishwasher Error Codes – How To Enter Diagnostic Mode?

What Causes The E24 And E25 Error Codes On A Bosch Dishwasher?

As said earlier, the E24/E25 error codes simply mean the appliance cannot drain water out of the machine. There could be many causes for this, such as:

1. Jammed Drain Pump

Dishwashers, whether they’re made by Bosch or any other manufacturer, typically rely on several pumps to function correctly. One of those is known as the drain pump, and it’s typically located towards the bottom on the inside of the dishwasher.

The purpose of the drain pump is straightforward: it helps remove all of the water from inside the dishwasher by directing its flow to the drain hose or pipe.

Why it fails:

In this situation, there’s a strong possibility that the drain pump has gotten jammed by a foreign object. Even though the dishwasher’s basin has a filter on top of it, hard foreign objects (like broken glass or porcelain) may have gotten past it and found their way into the drain pump. 

When that happens, the drain pump will not be able to let water flow out.

Besides that, the drain pump might become jammed by food bits built up inside of it. Remember: the dishes that you load into the machine are dirty, and they’ll still have food bits stuck to them even if you rinsed them off first.

Over time, those tiny bits can build up inside the dishwasher, especially in the lower areas like the basin and drain pump.

How to fix:

To solve this problem, you’ll need to clear whatever is jamming up the drain pump. Firstly, you must shut off the power and water supply to the appliance. That will prevent any injuries or flooding while you work on the machine.

• Then, you’ll need to remove the filter in the dishwasher’s basin and remove any water that’s still stuck there. You can do this with a sponge or ladle.

• Wear a glove to protect your hands from any sharp broken items. Remove the pump cover, and remove any foreign objects that you find in there. Clear out any debris, dirt, or food bits that you find as well.

• To be sure that you’ve cleared the blockage, turn the pump impeller manually. If it can turn without any problems, then the blockage is gone.

• Replace the pump cover and filter, and test the machine by running a wash cycle.

2. Clogged Air Gap

The piping connected to a dishwasher is typically built with an air gap. That’s a fitting mounted on top of the kitchen counter by the sink. Its function is to prevent contaminated water from re-entering the dishwasher from the drain. 

This process is typically called ‘backflow prevention’. You’ll find it on many appliances or fixtures that produce dirty water as part of its operation.

As the name suggests, this fixture prevents backflow by creating a substantial air gap between two branches of water pipes. That air gap helps to prevent cross-contamination.

Why it fails:

For an air gap to work correctly, there must be smooth and unobstructed airflow. So, as you can imagine, a clog in the air gap could cause problems. That might happen if dust, dirt, or some kind of debris has built up inside of the air gap. Although less likely, it’s also possible that there might be something blocking the air gap hole. 

If any of this were to happen, the air gap would not be able to work correctly. That might cause your Bosch dishwasher to face draining problems that trigger the E24 or E25 error codes. Even without the error code, a partial blockage can also cause the dishwasher to drain slowly.

For that reason, periodic cleaning is also crucial.

How to fix:

To fix this, you simply have to clean out the air gap.

• Since it’s located on your sink as a fixture, you can start by opening the air gap and removing anything that you find is blocking it.

• More significant blockages can be cleared out using a pair of tweezers. Once those are gone, you can clean the air gap inside using a toothbrush or something similar.

• Again, air gap blockages can still affect your dishwasher’s performance even without the E24 or E25 error code showing. So, once you’ve cleared the blockage that you currently have, be sure to repeat the cleaning process from time to time.

3. Loose Impeller Cover

The drain pump works by spinning an impeller. When that impeller spins, it’ll drive water in the correct direction, which is towards the drain pipe and out of your Bosch dishwasher.

As you can see, that impeller plays a critical role in the dishwasher’s draining function. That’s why it’s hidden away behind a protective cover at the bottom of the machine’s basin.

For everything to work correctly, that impeller cover must be properly seated and locked in position.

Why it fails:

When you see the E24 or E25 error code appear on your Bosch dishwasher, there’s a possibility that it was triggered by a loose impeller cover. As mentioned before, it should be correctly seated and locked into position so that the drain pump impeller can spin freely without getting jammed by food bits or foreign objects.

Besides that, a loose cover could let too much water into the drain pump and place it under a heavy load. That could cause the pump to overwork itself.

How to fix:

Fixing this problem is very straightforward. However, if the cover is loose, you should always check underneath for any damage, food bits, or foreign objects. Once you’re sure that the impeller is free, then replace the cover.

Most importantly, use your fingers to ensure that the cover is exactly where it should be seated and locked into place firmly.

4. Clogged Drain Pipe Or Hose

Your Bosch dishwasher also relies on several pipes or hoses. Simply put, their purpose is to get water to wherever it needs to be. In the case of the E24 or E25 error code, our focus is on drain pipe in particular.

The drain pipe is located at the bottom of the basin, and this is where wastewater is pushed out by the drain pump.

Why it fails:

Your Bosch dishwasher has a filter at the bottom. It removes things like food bits, dirt, debris, and any foreign objects that might find their way into the water. Unfortunately, it’s not always enough to keep the water completely clear of items.

Over time, blockages can build up wherever the water flows, including the drain pipe. If the blockage is severe enough, it’ll get clogged entirely, stopping the dishwasher from draining.

How to fix:

The most effective solution to this is to remove the clogged pipe and clear it out manually. You’ll need to be cautious when doing that, so start by disconnecting the power and water supplies to the machine. Then:

• You’ll need to remove any water that’s built up in the dishwasher’s basin.
• Depending on your dishwasher model, you might have to remove the rear panel to access the drain hose. The hose is typically held in place with a clip. Please refer to the user manual or technical sheet for specific information on your Bosch dishwasher model.
• There might still be wastewater trapped in the clogged hose, so remove it cautiously. You may want to keep a bucket and cloth nearby to help catch that water and the clog that you’ll remove from it.
• A popular alternative for people who don’t want to take the dishwasher apart is to flush it out with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Results may vary with this solution, so try it at your own risk.