What does the E24 error code mean on a Bosch dishwasher?

The E24 error code on a Bosch dishwasher indicates a drainage problem. The dishwasher is unable to drain water at the end of a wash cycle. This is typically caused by a blocked filter, clogged drain hose, obstructed drain pump, or a faulty pump motor.

How do I fix the E24 error on my Bosch dishwasher?

Start by cleaning the dishwasher filter located at the bottom of the tub. Then check the drain hose for kinks or blockages, and inspect the drain pump for debris. If the problem persists after these steps, the drain pump motor may need to be replaced by a certified technician.

Can I fix the Bosch E24 error myself?

Basic troubleshooting such as cleaning the filter and straightening the drain hose can be done at home. However, if the error persists after these steps, it is recommended to contact a certified appliance repair technician to avoid further damage to the appliance.

How much does it cost to repair a Bosch dishwasher E24 error?

The cost depends on the root cause of the problem. Cleaning a clogged filter or drain hose is typically a low-cost repair. Replacing a faulty drain pump motor may cost more depending on parts and labor. Contact Promix Appliance Repair at (781) 666-9565 for a free same-day estimate.

Does Promix Appliance Repair fix Bosch dishwashers in Boston?

Yes. Promix Appliance Repair provides same-day Bosch dishwasher repair services throughout Boston, Newton, Needham, Brookline, Wellesley, and surrounding areas. Call (781) 666-9565 to book a same-day appointment.

E24

Bosch · Dishwasher · Error Code

Bosch Dishwasher E24 Error Code — Drain Path Blocked or Not Draining

Usually DIY — Drain Path Also shown as: E-24 E 24 E:24

Quick Answer

The E24 error code means the dishwasher cannot drain water — the drain path from the tub to your home's plumbing is obstructed somewhere. Unlike E22 (which targets the internal filter) and E23 (which targets the pump motor), E24 specifically points to the drain path beyond the pump — the drain hose, the connection at the sink or garbage disposal, the air gap (if fitted), or improper installation. Start by cleaning the filter, checking for a kinked hose, and inspecting the sink drain connection — these three free checks resolve the majority of E24 errors in under 20 minutes.

Related code

E22

Filter / sump blocked. Water can't pass through the filter assembly — fix is cleaning the three-part filter. Pump and hose are typically fine.

This code

E24

Drain path blocked. Water passes through the filter and pump but can't exit through the hose, sink connection, or disposal — the blockage is downstream of the pump.

Time

15–45 min

Difficulty

Easy–Moderate

Tools

Towels, flashlight

DIY Cost

Free–$40

What the E24 Code Means

Bosch's official description of E24 is that the dishwasher cannot drain properly due to the drain filter or pump being blocked — but in practice E24 most reliably points to a blockage downstream of the pump: the drain hose, the connection point at the sink drain, the garbage disposal inlet, or the air gap device if one is installed. The pump activates and tries to push water out, but meets resistance it cannot overcome, and the control board raises E24.

E24 can appear at the beginning or end of a wash cycle. If it shows early, the machine couldn't drain residual water from the previous cycle before starting. If it appears toward the end, the machine ran the wash normally but failed to drain the final water load. Either way, you will typically see standing water pooled at the bottom of the tub when you open the door.

E24 is also the most common error code on newly installed dishwashers — two installation-specific causes (a garbage disposal knock-out plug left in place, and an incorrectly positioned drain hose without a proper high loop) account for a large share of E24s seen on machines that are only a few days old. If your dishwasher is new and showing E24 immediately, check the disposal plug before anything else.

The full drain path — where E24 blockages occur

Tub sump

→

Filter ①

→

Pump impeller ②

→

Drain hose ③

→

Air gap / high loop ④

→

Disposal / sink drain ⑤

E24 most commonly involves stages ③–⑤. E22 targets stage ①. E23 targets stage ②.

Common Causes — Most Likely First

Clogged or dirty filter assembly. Despite E24 pointing further down the drain path, a severely clogged filter creates enough back-pressure to prevent the pump from draining and is the first thing Bosch tells users to check. A quick filter clean eliminates this before moving to the hose and sink checks. Very common

Kinked or sharply bent drain hose. The corrugated drain hose running from the back of the machine to the sink connection has been bent at a tight angle — often when the dishwasher was pushed back in after being moved — and water cannot pass through freely. Very common

Garbage disposal knock-out plug not removed.New install When a new garbage disposal is installed, a plastic plug seals the dishwasher drain inlet. If the installer forgets to knock it out before attaching the dishwasher drain hose, E24 appears immediately on first use — water has absolutely nowhere to go. Very common on new installs

Drain hose connection clogged at the sink or disposal. Grease and food debris accumulate where the drain hose enters the garbage disposal or sink tailpiece, gradually narrowing the opening until E24 appears. A common slow-build cause on machines that have been in use for several years. Common

Missing or incorrect high loop on the drain hose.New install Bosch requires the drain hose to loop up to the underside of the countertop before descending to the sink drain — the "high loop" prevents back-siphoning of wastewater into the machine. Without it, water re-enters the tub after each drain attempt, producing repeated E24 errors. Common on new or recently re-plumbed installs

Clogged or blocked air gap. Where an air gap device is fitted between the drain hose and the sink connection, mineral deposits and debris can clog it over time. A blocked air gap causes the same back-pressure effect as a kinked hose — the pump cannot push water through. Occasional

Debris in the drain pump impeller. Glass fragments, food particles, or grit that passed through the filter are lodged in the pump impeller, reducing its pumping efficiency enough to prevent proper drainage. The pump may hum but move little or no water. Occasional

Blocked non-return (check) valve. The one-way valve between the sump and pump is stuck open due to debris, allowing water that was just pumped out to flow back in before the cycle ends. E24 appears despite the pump working correctly. Less common

Control board glitch. A power event has left the board in a false error state, raising E24 when the drain path is actually clear. A 5-minute breaker reset is enough to confirm or rule this out. Rare

How to Fix the E24 Error — Step by Step

Reset and remove standing water

Press and hold Start/Reset for 3–5 seconds to cancel the active cycle. If the machine still has power to run a brief drain, it will attempt one — let it complete. Then open the door and use towels or a sponge to remove any standing water from the tub floor before you begin inspecting the drain components.

Clean the filter assembly

Even though E24 targets the drain path rather than the filter, a badly clogged filter contributes to back-pressure across the whole system and is Bosch's official first check. Remove and rinse all three filter components — the cylindrical mesh filter, the flat coarse filter, and the fine mesh floor panel — under warm running water with a soft brush. Reinstall the cylindrical filter clockwise until it locks.

Already cleaned recently? Skip ahead to Step 3 — the filter is not the issue if it was genuinely cleaned within the last few days.

Check the garbage disposal knock-out plug (new installations only)

If the dishwasher is newly installed and the drain hose connects to a garbage disposal, open the cabinet under the sink and look at the disposal's dishwasher drain inlet — a small nipple on the side of the disposal body. If the dishwasher drain hose is attached but E24 appeared on the very first run, the plastic knock-out plug inside the inlet almost certainly was not removed. Disconnect the hose clamp, remove the hose, and use a screwdriver and hammer to knock the plug into the disposal, then retrieve it from inside. Reconnect the hose and run a test cycle.

New install tip: This is the single most common cause of E24 on brand-new dishwashers. It takes two minutes to check and costs nothing to fix.

Inspect the drain hose for kinks

Pull the dishwasher out from under the counter 6–12 inches and trace the drain hose from the back of the machine to where it enters the cabinet wall or connects under the sink. Look for any sharp bends, kinks, or places where the hose is compressed against the cabinet wall or floor. Straighten any bends carefully. Push the machine back in slowly, watching that the hose doesn't re-kink as it tucks away. The hose should curve gently with no angles tighter than a broad arc.

Verify the high loop is correctly installed

Open the cabinet under the sink and confirm the drain hose rises up to at least the height of the countertop underside before descending to the drain connection — this is the "high loop." If the hose runs directly downward from the machine to the sink drain without rising first, water can siphon back into the tub after each drain cycle. Secure the hose at its highest point with a cable tie or clamp attached to the underside of the counter. If an air gap device is installed instead of a high loop, confirm it is clear (see next step).

Clean the air gap (if fitted) and sink drain connection

If an air gap cap sits on the countertop beside the sink, unscrew or unclip its cap and remove the inner cap beneath it. Mineral scale and debris collect here and can fully block the passage. Clean out any buildup with a small brush or bottle brush. Also disconnect the drain hose where it attaches to the garbage disposal or sink tailpiece and inspect the opening — grease and debris accumulate here over years of use. Clear any blockage with a brush or by running the hose through with water.

Also check: Run the garbage disposal for 30 seconds to clear any food buildup at the drain inlet before reconnecting the hose.

Check the drain pump impeller

With the dishwasher fully unpowered, reach carefully into the sump cavity through the filter opening (rubber gloves on) and try to rotate the pump impeller by hand. It should turn with a small, smooth amount of resistance. If it feels rough, gritty, or seized, debris is jammed in the pump. Reach in and remove what you can feel, or use long-nose pliers to extract glass or hard fragments. A pump that hums during drain but moves no water almost certainly has a jammed impeller.

Run a monitored test cycle

Reassemble all filters, reconnect any hose you disconnected, restore power, and run a short rinse cycle while staying beside the machine. Listen for the drain pump activating near the end of the cycle and watch under the sink for proper water flow out of the drain hose. If the cycle completes and E24 does not return, the drain path blockage has been cleared.

If E24 returns after all checks above, the drain pump motor itself has likely failed, or the check valve is stuck. Both require a technician — the pump is accessed from beneath the machine after pulling it out and removing the base panel.

When to Call a Technician

The drain path checks above resolve most E24 errors. Book a professional repair if:

E24 returns after a confirmed clean filter, kink-free hose, cleared disposal connection, and correct high loop
The drain pump hums during the drain phase but water stays in the tub — pump motor or jammed impeller
You cannot free the pump impeller by hand from the sump opening
The drain hose is cracked or internally clogged and needs replacement
The non-return valve between the sump and pump is stuck open or physically damaged
Standing water persists despite all DIY checks being completed and confirmed clear

Repair Cost Expectations

If You Fix It Yourself

Free–$40

Filter cleaning, hose straightening, and disposal plug removal all cost nothing. A replacement drain hose runs $15–$40 as a DIY part if the hose itself is damaged or blocked internally.

Professional Repair

$110–$300

Typical range in the Boston area for drain pump impeller clearing, check valve repair, drain hose replacement, or pump motor replacement — parts and labor included.

Still Getting E24? We'll Fix Your Bosch Dishwasher.

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Book Bosch Dishwasher Repair Call (781) 666-9565

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between E22, E23, and E24 on a Bosch dishwasher?

All three are drain-system faults, but they each point to a different stage of the drain path. E22 means the internal filter assembly is blocked — the fix is cleaning the three-part filter. E23 means the drain pump motor has failed or its impeller is jammed — the pump cannot spin. E24 means the downstream drain path is blocked — the pump is working but water can't exit through the drain hose, the sink connection, the air gap, or the garbage disposal. Understanding which code you have tells you exactly where to look.

My dishwasher is brand new and already showing E24. What happened?

This is almost always one of two installation issues. First and most common: the garbage disposal knock-out plug was not removed before the drain hose was connected. Every new garbage disposal ships with a plastic plug sealing the dishwasher drain inlet — if the installer forgot to remove it, no water can drain at all. Second: the drain hose was not given a proper high loop and water siphons back into the tub. Both are free to fix and take only a few minutes to check.

Can I use my dishwasher while showing E24?

No — E24 means the machine cannot drain properly, which means contaminated wash water will remain in the tub and could overflow into the base tray or cause hygiene problems. Do not run further cycles until the drain blockage is identified and cleared.

What is a high loop and why does my dishwasher need one?

A high loop is an installation requirement where the drain hose is routed up to the underside of the kitchen countertop before descending to the sink drain connection. This elevation prevents used water from back-siphoning from the sink drain back into the dishwasher tub between cycles. Without a high loop (or an air gap device, which serves the same purpose), dirty water can re-enter the machine, and the repeated back-fill can cause E24 to appear even when nothing else is wrong.

How much does it cost to fix an E24 error?

Cleaning the filter, straightening a kinked hose, removing a disposal knock-out plug, or clearing an air gap all cost nothing. A replacement drain hose runs $15–$40 as a DIY part. Professional repair in the Boston area for drain pump impeller clearing, check valve repair, or pump motor replacement typically runs $110–$300, parts and labor included.