The Bosch dishwasher E24 isn’t an error you’ll see quite often, but you need to be able to fix it if it ever appears on your unit’s control panel. In this guide, I’ll explain everything about Bosch dishwasher troubleshooting E24, so you know what the error means as well as how to fix it.
Bosch dishwasher E24 is an error indicating that your unit won’t drain properly – or not drain at all – because there’s a blockage in the drain filter. The error also indicates a kinked hose, a loose pump cover, or a problem with the plug in the unit’s drain connection.
Like GE and Frigidaire, dishwashers by Bosch are not doubt some of the best in the market. But they equally tend to wear and tear with continuous use, not to mention display a series of errors during operation.
Fortunately, the E24 error isn’t something that needs the service of a professional technician, as you can fix the problem on your own.
Why is Bosch Dishwasher Not Draining?
I’ve mention that the Bosch E24 error on the control panel is an indicator that your unit has a drainage problem. But why exactly is the Bosch dishwasher not draining?
Well, it could be for several reasons.
After looking into the issue extensively, I noticed that a Bosch dishwasher could fail to drain because:
- There’s a glitch on the control panel
- The unit’s drain hose has kinks
- There are clogs in the sump and filter
- The drain pump is blocked
- There’s an issue with the air gap
- The impeller’s cover is loose
I’ll address each issue in this guide and help you fix them on your own without ever having to think about calling a professional technician to call at your home for help.
Bosch Dishwasher Troubleshooting E24 (6 Causes and Quick Fixes)
You see the E24 error code on your dishwasher because the unit won’t drain properly. But what exactly causes the error and what should you do to fix the problem?
| Problem | Cause | Solution | |
| 1. | Control panel error | There may be a normal system glitch causing the error to appear on the control panel | Reset the dishwasher to clear away the error. |
| 2. | Drain hose not working | Bosch dishwasher may be kinked or faulty | Inspect the dishwasher and clear the kinks. Replace the drain hose if it’s faulty. |
| 3. | Dirty or clogged sump filter | There may be foreign objects keeping the sump filter from working | Use warm, soapy water to clean the sump filter so that it’s free of dirt and debris. |
| 4. | Drain pump fails to work | There are foreign objects in the drain pump that have to be removed | Clean the drain pump to remove clogs. Replace the drain pump if it’s faulty |
| 5. | Air gap won’t work as intended | There’s a possible blockage in the air gap causing the unit not to drain as it should | The only possible fix is to clean the air gap thoroughly to remove the foreign objects causing the blockage |
| 6. | The impeller cover has an issue | The impeller cover of the dishwasher is loose, making it difficult for the unit to spin freely | Inspect for foreign objects and damages, and then replace the cover to fix the issue |
1. Control Panel Error
A problem in the dishwasher’s control panel may result in a bogus error code on occasion. In such a case, there is usually no problem with your dishwasher, and resetting the unit is often enough to fix the problem.
There are two ways to reset the dishwasher:
- You ca unplug it from the power source, wait for at least five minutes, reconnect to the power, and put it back on.
- Or, you can hold down the start button for about 5 second, which should also reset the dishwasher, start a draining cycle, and remove remaining water from the unit.
If you’ve reset the unit, but you notice that the drain cycle doesn’t start, the problem isn’t a control panel glitch.
You’ll have to do a complete Bosch dishwasher troubleshooting to identify and fix all possible errors that might be causing the unit not to drain.
2. A Kinked Drain Hose
Any kink in the hoses that connect to the dishwasher can stop the dishwasher from receiving or discharging water.
To be on the safe side, check to make sure that no kinks exist in the hoses before continuing to inspect the rest of the dishwasher’s components.
If, during inspection, you notice that the drain hose is faulty, you’ll need to replace it with a new drain hose for the dishwasher’s drainage system to work efficiently.
3. Dirty or Clogged Sump and Filter
Cleaning the sump and filter can fix the e24 error code from your Bosch dishwasher control panel.
To get to the sump and filter:
- Remove the bottom dish rack and spray arm, as well as the water that the error code is blocking from draining.
- Remove the housing and clean the filter thoroughly using warm soapy water to remove dirt or debris.
- Inspect the sump filter to ensure there’s nothing clogging the drain.
4. Blocked Drain Pump
There’s a high chance that the drain pump of your Bosch dishwasher’s drain pump has clogged, thus causing the unit to show the E24 code error.
You will need to clean the drain pump of the dishwasher so that this error doesn’t occur on the control panel again.
You can access the drain pump of your Bosch dishwasher by removing the pump cover that encircles the filter in the base. In some models, you will likely need to remove the dishwasher’s kick plate or take the dishwasher out and remove the required panels to reach the drain pump.
If you can reach the drain pump from the bottom of the dishwasher, verify that the lid isn’t loose. If you notice that the lid is loose, it could equally be another reason why you see the E24 error displayed.
To inspect the pump for obstruction:
- Remove the drain pump cover if your Bosch model has one
- Check if the impeller can turn. If it doesn’t, then you know your drain pump is faulty.
- Use a multimeter to determine whether the drain pump has completely failed.
If you notice that the drain pump doesn’t have continued based on the results of your testing, get a new drain pump compatible with Bosch dishwasher for replacement.
On the other hand, if the drain pump has continuity, it’s likely that there is blockage that you have to clean. In this case, all you have to do is to clean the pump area and replace the pump covers and the filter to clear the error.
5. Clogged Air Gap
Pipes attached to your Bosch dishwasher feature an air gap construction.
Using a functional mechanism referred to as backflow prevention, the air gap prevents polluted drain water from reentering the dishwasher by producing a considerable air gap between two branches of water pipes.
The presence of air spaces also helps with the prevention of cross-contamination.
Unfortunately, the air gap can fail.
More often than not, your Bosch dishwasher’s air gap fails to deliver unimpeded airflow because of a blockage.
The blockage might occur if dust, dirt, or other material has accumulated inside the air gap. In a rare case, there might be a foreign object obstructing the air gap hole.
From what I understand, a clogged air gap means your Bosch dishwasher won’t drain properly – or it might fail to drain altogether.
The only solution to a clogged air gap is thorough cleaning.
Since the air gap attaches directly to your sink as a fixture, you can access it by removing any obstructions currently in the way. Then, use a toothbrush to clean the space in the air gap.
6. Your Bosch Dishwasher Has a Loose Impeller Cover
Concealed under a protective cover in the unit’s basin, an impeller is one of the most important component in Bosch dishwashers because it helps with the drain operation.
Not only do you need to have it properly installed, but you also need to make sure you’ve secured it into place for proper operation.
So why does it fail?
The impeller fails and the dishwasher returns error code E24 because the impeller’s cover went loose, unable to spin freely without clogging by food particles or other objects.
Perhaps the worst that can happen if the impeller cover is loose is excess water entering the drain pump, placing serious stress on the unit and causing it to over work.
The problem of a loose impeller cover isn’t too difficult to fix.
If you’ve inspected the lid and noticed that it’s unfastened, carefully inspect the interior for any damage, food particles, or foreign objects. If you notice that the unit’s impeller is free, simply replace the cover to fix the error.
Bosch Dishwasher E24 Error Reset
Bosch dishwashers may require a rapid reset for a variety of reasons, including as adding clearing the E24 error message.
To reset the dishwasher, you can:
1. Use the Control Panel for a Soft Reset
If your Bosch dishwasher model has the control panel as part of the door, you’ll need to open the door just enough to access it.
- Pres the Start button until the “Active” light dims. Doing so will stop a currently operating cycle on your Bosch dishwasher.
- Allow the dishwasher’s water to drain. Wait about 1 minute before opening the door all the way, or water may run out the front.
- Press the Start button again to start a new wash cycle.
- Hold down the Start button for three seconds to a soft reset.
2. Perform a Manual Reset
To turn off the electricity, turn off the circuit breaker. If the plug is difficult to reach or is wet, you can use your home’s fuse box to turn off the fuse that controls the kitchen or wherever the dishwasher is located.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Do I Force My Bosch Dishwasher to Drain?
You can force your Bosch dishwasher to drain by resetting the unit.
You can press and hold down the start button for three to five seconds. Or you can do a manual reset by unplugging the unit from the power source and plugging it back after three to five minutes.
2. How Do I Unclog My Bosch Dishwasher With Standing Water?
Check out my guide on Bosch dishwasher not draining to learn how you can unclog your unit if it has standing water.
The guide include useful tips you can use to fix the draining issues and get your dishwasher working properly again.
Conclusion ” Bosch dishwasher troubleshooting E24 Error ”
The Bosch dishwasher E24 Error Code indicates a drain issue, and we’ve seen the possible reasons why your unit might have draining issues in the first place.
As someone who leans towards the DIY fixes, I’m happy that drainage issues in a Bosch dishwasher is a problem you and myself can fix from the comfort of our homes.
That means not calling a technician to come over and help, and saving up to $200 in service fees.