Bosch Dishwasher E24 — Drain / Blocked Filter Fault

What the Bosch E24 code means

E24 is a drainage fault: the control detected that water is not leaving the tub within the expected time, so it halts the cycle to avoid an overflow. It is easy to confuse with three neighbouring Bosch codes, and telling them apart saves you chasing the wrong part. E22 points specifically at a blocked fine filter that has let water back up in the sump. E23 points at the drain (wastewater) pump itself or a loose pump cover. E15 is different again — it means water has collected in the base tray and tripped the anti-flood float, which is a leak, not a drain blockage. E24 covers the drain path as a whole: filter, pump inlet, hose, disposal connection or air gap. In practice a clogged filter and a kinked or blocked hose account for the large majority of E24 errors.

Most likely causes (ranked)

Likelihood	Cause	What is happening
Most common	Clogged filter and pump sump	Food debris and grease pack the fine filter and the sump below it, so the pump cannot move water out.
Common	Kinked or blocked drain hose	The hose is pinched behind or under the unit, or coated inside with grease that has narrowed it.
Common	Garbage disposal or knockout plug	The disposal inlet is clogged, or on a new install the disposal’s knockout plug was never removed.
Less common	Blocked air gap	The little chrome cylinder at the sink is packed with debris, choking the drain line.
Less common	Jammed drain pump impeller	Glass, a seed, or a twist tie is caught in the pump, stalling it.
Least common	Failed drain pump or control board	The pump is electrically dead, or the board is misreading the drain sensor.

How to fix it, in order

1. Force a drain first — press and hold the Start button for about three seconds; the pump will try to run. This clears any water it can and tells you whether the pump moves at all.
2. Clean the filter — pull the lower rack, twist out the cylindrical filter in the tub floor, and rinse away all food and grease under hot water. This alone fixes the majority of E24 errors.
3. Clear the sump and pump area — scoop out standing water with a cup, then check the impeller area beneath the filter for glass, seeds or debris and remove anything you find.
4. Check the drain hose — ease the unit out and straighten any kink; a permanently crushed or grease-clogged hose should be flushed or replaced.
5. Clear the disposal connection — if the drain hose ties into a garbage disposal, run the disposal for fifteen seconds, and on a new install confirm the knockout plug was removed.
6. Clean the air gap — if you have the chrome cylinder at the sink, pop the cap and clear any debris inside.
7. Confirm the high loop — the drain hose should rise to under-counter height before dropping to the drain, so wastewater cannot siphon back.
8. Reset — once the path is clear, hold Start to drain again; if the code lingers, cut power at the breaker for a few minutes to clear the control. Resetting will not help until the blockage is gone.
9. Pump or board — if it still throws E24 after all of the above, the drain pump or control board is the remaining suspect; this is where most people call a pro.

Parts that may be involved

• Filter assembly (fine and coarse filter) — the first thing to clean; cheap to replace if damaged.
• Drain hose — carries wastewater to the sink drain or disposal; replace if kinked or split.
• Drain (wastewater) pump — moves water out; the suspect if the impeller is jammed or dead.
• Air gap — the sink-top vent that can clog and choke the line.
• Check valve — a one-way flap in the drain path that can stick and restrict flow.

Difficulty and time

Beginner-friendly for the parts that matter most. Cleaning the filter and checking the hose takes 15 to 30 minutes and needs no tools beyond a cup and towels. Pulling the unit out to inspect the hose, or opening the pump cover, is a moderate job that may want pliers and a bucket, closer to 45 minutes. Replacing the drain pump is a bigger step and is where most DIYers stop.

When to call a pro

• The tub still holds water after you have cleaned the filter, cleared the sump, and checked the hose and disposal.
• The pump hums or buzzes but no water moves — a sign of a jammed or failed pump.
• E24 returns on every cycle even though the drain path is visibly clear.
• You would rather not disconnect the drain hose or pull the dishwasher out yourself.

FAQ

How do I reset a Bosch dishwasher E24?

Press and hold the Start button for about three seconds to force the pump to drain, then clear and restart the cycle. If the code stays, switch the unit off at the breaker for a few minutes to reset the control board. A reset only clears the code — it will come straight back if the filter, hose or pump is still blocked, so clear the drain path first.

What is the difference between E24, E22, E23 and E15?

E24 is a general drain-path blockage. E22 singles out a blocked filter, E23 points at the drain pump or a loose pump cover, and E15 means water has leaked into the base tray and tripped the anti-flood float. If you also see standing water under the machine, treat it as an E15 leak first.

Can I still use the dishwasher with an E24 code?

No — the machine stops mid-cycle with wastewater in the tub and will not continue until it can drain. Running it again without clearing the blockage just repeats the fault and can overflow the tub onto the floor.

For more Bosch fixes, browse the Bosch error code hub and all dishwasher fault codes. If you also find water pooled under the machine, read up on the closely related Bosch E15 base-water code. Draining the wrong brand? See the LG dishwasher OE drain error.