Bosch Error Code E24: What It Means and How to Fix

E24 on a Bosch dishwasher means the drain cycle failed – the appliance detected water still in the sump after the drain pump ran. The dishwasher locks out and refuses to start a new cycle until the issue clears. The most common cause is a clogged filter or a blocked drain hose, but the fix often involves a quick clean that takes 15 minutes.

What Bosch E24 Actually Tells You

E24 isn’t a random fault; it’s the dishwasher’s way of saying “I tried to pump out the water and couldn’t.” The control board monitors the water level sensor after the drain pump runs. If the sensor still sees water a few seconds later, it logs an E24 and stops further operation. This prevents the machine from running a wash cycle with stagnant water already in the tub.

The error can appear during the drain phase of any cycle or when you try to cancel a running cycle. It is almost always a drainage issue, not a sensor failure. That means the fix is mechanical – something is physically blocking the water from leaving. For a deeper look at how this code works, see our guide on understanding the e24 error code on bosch dishwashing machines.

The Hidden Failure: Partial Blockage in the Drain Pump Impeller

Most people check the filter and the drain hose and stop there. But one failure mode causes intermittent E24 that only shows up every few cycles: a partial blockage in the drain pump impeller. Small debris – a grain of rice, a broken glass shard, a twist tie – can get stuck in the impeller blades without fully stopping the pump. The pump still hums and turns, but with reduced flow. During some cycles the water level drops just enough to satisfy the sensor; other times it doesn’t.

How to detect it early:
– Listen for a struggling, warbling, or intermittent hum from the pump area during drain (not a steady whir).
– Notice water pooling in the bottom of the tub after a cycle, even if the error isn’t showing.
– Experience longer than normal cycle times (the dishwasher retries draining).

Catching this early saves you from a pump replacement. The fix is to remove the visible debris from the pump impeller – detailed in Step 2 below.

Quick Checks Before Touching the Wiring

Run through these five checks first. Each takes under two minutes and resolves most E24 issues.

• [ ] Filter assembly – Pull out the lower rack, twist the coarse filter (large cylinder), lift it out. Check for food scraps, eggshells, or a stuck label. Rinse under running water.
• [ ] Drain hose – Look behind the dishwasher. Is the hose kinked, pinched, or sagging lower than the connection point? Straighten any bends.
• [ ] Garbage disposal plug – If your dishwasher drains into a disposal, check that the knockout plug was removed during installation. If still in place, no water can exit.
• [ ] Standing water – Open the door after a canceled cycle. If you see more than a cup of water, the pump isn’t clearing the sump.
• [ ] Reset and retry – Press and hold the START button for 3 seconds to cancel, then run a rinse-only cycle. If the error does not reappear, the blockage was temporary.

Branch after quick checks: If the filter was visibly clogged and the error cleared after cleaning, you can stop. If the checks all pass but the error returns, you need to move deeper into the fix – the blockage is likely in the pump impeller or hose.

Step-by-Step E24 Fix Procedure

Step 1: Clean the filter assembly thoroughly

• Remove the lower rack and take out the coarse filter (big cylinder) and the fine flat screen underneath.
• Wash both under hot tap water with a stiff brush. Pay attention to the mesh – if light can’t pass through, it’s still clogged.
• Common mistake: Only rinsing the coarse filter and ignoring the fine screen. A clogged fine screen restricts flow enough to trigger E24.
• Reassemble and run a short rinse cycle.
• Verification: After the cycle completes, open the door and feel the bottom of the tub – it should be nearly dry. If the error code does not reappear and the tub is dry, the filter was the cause. If water remains or E24 returns, move to Step 2.

Step 2: Clear debris from the drain pump impeller

• Disconnect power (unplug or flip the breaker).
• Remove the filter assembly completely.
• Look into the opening at the bottom of the sump. You’ll see a small impeller blade (plastic wheel).
• Use a flashlight and a pair of long tweezers or needle-nose pliers to gently extract any debris stuck in the blades.
• What to expect: Sometimes a single piece of plastic or a small bone fragment is wedged between the impeller and the housing. It may not be visible until you rotate the impeller by hand.
• After removal, spin the impeller freely with your finger. If it catches, there’s more debris inside.
• Verification: Run a rinse cycle again. Listen for a steady, smooth pump sound. Confirm the tub drains fully and the error stays off for the entire cycle. If the error returns, move to Step 3.

Step 3: Check the drain hose for clogs

• Disconnect the hose from the sink drain or disposal connection (have a bucket ready).
• Blow through the hose or use a wet/dry vacuum on the sink end. If air doesn’t flow freely, there’s a blockage.
• A long, slow drain hose loop can also trap air – ensure the hose forms a high loop under the counter (called an “air gap” or “high loop”) to prevent backflow.
• Verification: Reconnect the hose, run a cycle, and verify that water exits from the sink side within 30 seconds of the pump starting. If drainage is still slow, the blockage is in the shared household drain – not the dishwasher.

Step 4: Hard reset the dishwasher

• After cleaning, wait 60 seconds with power off.
• Plug the dishwasher back in.
• Press and hold the START button for 3 seconds, then immediately select a rinse cycle.
• The error code should clear. If it reappears during the same cycle, the blockage is still present or the drain pump has failed.

Step 5: Test the drain pump motor with a multimeter

• Only if you are comfortable with electrical testing.
• Unplug the dishwasher. Access the pump at the base (remove front kickplate).
• Unplug the pump’s electrical connector.
• Set multimeter to ohms (Ω). Probe the two terminals – a working pump reads between 10–30 Ω.
• An open reading (OL) or infinite resistance means the pump motor is burned out and must be replaced.

Symptom	Likely Cause	Action
Water remains in tub after cycle	Clogged filter or fine screen	Clean both filter components
E24 appears only after heavy loads	Drain hose kinked or sagging	Straighten hose, raise loop
Error returns weekly after cleaning	Debris stuck in pump impeller	Remove debris from impeller cavity
No water visible but error persists	Faulty drain pump motor	Replace drain pump

When to Stop and Call a Technician

You have reached the end of DIY fixes if:

• After cleaning the filter, impeller, and hose, the E24 error returns immediately.
• The drain pump motor tested open (no continuity).
• Water is backing up into the dishwasher from the sink (indicates a clog in the shared drain line beyond your dishwasher).
• You are uncomfortable removing the front kickplate or disconnecting electrical connectors.

Bosch recommends disconnecting the dishwasher from power before any internal access. Use only manufacturer-approved replacement parts to avoid voiding the warranty.

In those cases, call a qualified appliance repair technician. Continuing to run the dishwasher with a faulty drain pump can cause water leaks or damage the control board. If you encounter a related error like E25, our guide on common causes of e25 error on bosch dishwashing machine may help identify the issue. For broader troubleshooting, see common bosch dishwasher problems and solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bosch E24

Can I clear the E24 error without fixing the drainage problem?
No. Resetting the error only removes the code temporarily. The dishwasher will re-lock itself as soon as it tries to drain and detects standing water. You must resolve the underlying blockage.

How do I perform a hard reset on a Bosch dishwasher?
Press and hold the START button for 3 seconds to cancel the current cycle. The dishwasher will drain for about 60 seconds, then shut off. Wait 5 minutes, then power off at the circuit breaker for 1 minute. Turn power back on and start a rinse cycle.

Will a clogged garbage disposal trigger E24?
Yes. If the dishwasher drains into a disposal and the disposal is clogged or the knockout plug is still installed, water has no path to exit. Check the disposal first by running it empty with water – if it drains slowly, the obstruction is outside the dishwasher.