What does the Bosch dishwasher E23 error code mean?

The E23 error code on a Bosch dishwasher indicates a drain pump fault. The dishwasher's control board has detected that the drain pump is not operating correctly — either it failed to activate, stalled mid-cycle, or drew an abnormal current. The most common causes are a clogged filter, a kinked drain hose, or a failed pump motor.

Can I fix the Bosch E23 error myself?

In many cases, yes. Cleaning the drain filter and checking the drain hose for kinks or blockages resolves the E23 error without any tools or cost. If these steps do not clear the code, the drain pump motor itself has likely failed, which requires a technician for safe diagnosis and replacement.

How much does a Bosch dishwasher E23 repair cost?

If a clogged filter or kinked hose is the cause, the fix costs nothing. Drain pump replacement in the Boston area typically runs $150–$300 parts and labor combined. The OEM drain pump itself costs $60–$130 depending on the model series.

Why does the E23 error keep coming back after a reset?

A recurring E23 error after a reset means the underlying fault has not been resolved. The most likely causes are a partially clogged filter that was not fully cleaned, a drain hose blockage further along the line, or a failing pump motor that runs intermittently. A technician can test the pump motor directly to confirm which component has failed.

Is it worth repairing a Bosch dishwasher with an E23 fault?

Generally yes for machines under 10 years old. A drain pump replacement at $150–$300 is well below the cost of a new Bosch dishwasher at $700–$1,400+. On machines over 10–12 years old, a technician can provide an honest cost-versus-value assessment.

E23

Bosch · Dishwasher · Error Code

Bosch Dishwasher E23 Error Code — Drain Pump Blocked, Clogged, or Faulty

DIY Possible Also shown as: E 23 E:23

Quick Answer

The E23 error code means the dishwasher's drain pump has failed to remove water from the tub after multiple attempts — you'll often find standing water sitting at the bottom. Start by cleaning the filter, checking the drain hose for kinks or blockages, and clearing any debris from the pump impeller. These DIY steps fix the majority of E23 errors at no cost. If the pump is mechanically failed or the motor has burned out, a replacement pump is needed and a technician is the safest route.

Time

20–60 min

Difficulty

Moderate

Tools

Towels, flashlight

DIY Cost

Free–$80

What the E23 Code Means

At the end of every wash and rinse cycle, the drain pump activates to push wastewater out of the tub and through the drain hose into your home's plumbing. E23 appears when the dishwasher's control board detects that the pump has tried — and failed — to drain the tub within the expected time. The machine stops to prevent wastewater from overflowing or spilling, leaving standing water in the bottom of the tub.

The root cause is almost always somewhere in the drain path: a clogged filter, debris jammed in the pump impeller, a kinked or blocked drain hose, or a pump motor that has worn out and can no longer spin. In some cases, a separate hardware fault — such as a failed circulation pump heater — can prevent the cycle from completing and cause the machine to stop mid-fill, incorrectly surfacing as a drain error even though the drain pump itself is fine.

The good news is that most E23 errors are caused by a clog, and clearing it is a genuine DIY fix that takes 20–30 minutes and costs nothing. Work through the steps below in order before reaching for the phone.

Common Causes — Most Likely First

Clogged or dirty filter assembly. Food debris, grease, and sediment build up in the cylindrical and flat mesh filters at the tub floor, restricting water flow to the drain pump until it can no longer keep up. Very common

Debris jammed in the drain pump impeller. Glass fragments, seeds, small bones, or food particles bypass the filter and lodge in the pump impeller, preventing it from spinning and draining water. Common

Kinked, blocked, or incorrectly installed drain hose. A hose that has been pinched, bent sharply, or partially blocked by grease buildup creates enough back-pressure to stop the pump draining effectively. Common

Blocked sink or garbage disposal connection. If the drain hose connects to a garbage disposal or shared sink drain that is itself clogged, water has nowhere to go and the pump triggers E23. Occasional

Failed drain pump motor. The pump motor itself has burned out or seized and cannot spin at all — the pump may hum without moving water, or stay completely silent. Occasional — needs technician

Control board or wiring fault. A loose wiring connector to the pump, or a faulty control board that isn't properly driving the pump, can prevent drainage without any physical clog being present. Less common — needs technician

How to Fix the E23 Error — Step by Step

Cancel the cycle and remove standing water

Press and hold the Start/Reset button for 3–5 seconds to cancel the active cycle. Use towels or a large sponge to soak up any standing water in the tub before proceeding. This prevents mess when you remove the filter in the next step.

Clean the filter assembly

Twist and lift out the cylindrical mesh filter at the tub floor, then remove the flat coarse filter beneath it. Rinse both thoroughly under warm running water, using a soft brush to remove grease and compacted food residue. This is the single most effective fix for E23 — a clogged filter is responsible for the majority of cases.

Tip: Clean these filters monthly as routine maintenance to prevent E23 from recurring.

Inspect and clear the drain pump area

With the filter removed, look down into the pump cavity at the bottom of the tub with a flashlight. Carefully reach in and feel for any debris — glass shards, fruit pits, broken toothpicks, or food fragments — that may be jammed around the impeller. Remove anything you find. Wear rubber gloves in case there are glass fragments.

Check the drain hose for kinks and blockages

Pull the dishwasher out slightly and follow the drain hose from the back of the machine to where it connects to the sink drain or garbage disposal. Check the entire length for sharp bends or kinks and straighten any you find. If the hose feels stiff or the inner diameter seems reduced by grease buildup, it may need replacement.

Note: The drain hose should have a high loop or air gap where it connects to the sink drain. If it runs directly downward without a high loop, siphoning can cause drainage problems and E23.

Check the garbage disposal and sink drain

If the drain hose connects to a garbage disposal, run the disposal for 30 seconds to clear any food buildup at the connection point. If you recently installed a new disposal, confirm the knock-out plug inside the dishwasher inlet has been removed — a common installation oversight that blocks drainage entirely.

Reset the dishwasher and run a test cycle

Reassemble the filters, close the door, and run a short rinse cycle. Stay nearby to observe. If the cycle drains and completes without E23 returning, the fix is complete. The filter or impeller clog was the cause.

If E23 returns and the tub still has standing water after the cycle, the drain pump motor itself is the likely culprit — it hums but can't move water, or is completely silent. At this point a technician should test and replace the pump.

When to Call a Technician

The filter-clean and hose-check steps fix most E23 errors. Book a professional repair if:

E23 returns immediately after cleaning the filter and clearing the drain hose
Standing water remains in the tub after a reset and test cycle
The drain pump makes a loud humming noise but water doesn't move
The pump is completely silent during the drain phase of the cycle
No physical blockage can be found despite a thorough inspection
The drain hose or pump wiring appears damaged or corroded

Repair Cost Expectations

If You Fix It Yourself

$0–$80

Cleaning the filter and clearing the hose costs nothing. A replacement drain pump for most Bosch models runs $40–$80 as a DIY part.

Professional Repair

$120–$300

Typical range in the Boston area for drain pump diagnosis and replacement — parts and labor included. More complex causes like a control board fault may add cost.

Still Getting E23? We'll Fix Your Bosch Dishwasher.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is there water sitting in the bottom of my dishwasher with E23?

When the drain pump can't empty the tub — either due to a clog or a pump failure — the control board stops the cycle and displays E23, leaving whatever water was in the tub at that point. The water will remain there until the blockage is cleared or the pump is replaced and a drain cycle can complete successfully.

Can I reset E23 by pressing Start/Reset?

On many Bosch models, holding the Start/Reset button for 3–5 seconds will cancel the current cycle and the machine will attempt a brief drain. If the drain path is clear, this can clear E23 without further steps. However, if an underlying blockage or pump fault remains, the error will return the next time you run a cycle.

How often should I clean the dishwasher filter to prevent E23?

Bosch recommends cleaning the filter assembly at least once a month under normal household use — more frequently if you wash heavily soiled dishes without pre-rinsing. A clean filter is the single most effective way to prevent E23 from occurring in the first place.

Could E23 be caused by something other than the drain pump?

Yes. In some cases a failed circulation pump heater (the component that heats wash water, not drains it) can cause the dishwasher to stop mid-cycle with water still in the tub, and the machine surfaces this as E23 even though the drain pump itself is fine. If you clean everything, confirm no blockage exists, and E23 still persists, the circulation pump or control board may be the actual culprit — which is why technician diagnosis is valuable.

How much does it cost to fix an E23 error?

Cleaning the filter and drain hose costs nothing. If the drain pump needs replacing, the part runs $40–$80 as a DIY purchase. A professional repair in the Boston area for drain pump diagnosis and replacement typically runs $120–$300, parts and labor included. More complex underlying causes such as a control board fault may add to that cost.