Bosch dishwasher E23 error
Stop using the machine
The machine has detected a fault in the waste water pump circuit. Either the pump is not running when it is told to, or it is drawing current outside the range the control board expects. The pump is mechanically obstructed by debris that has passed the filters, so it stalls as soon as it is energised is the most common cause.
- Difficulty
- Technician job
- Time needed
- About 30 min
- Checks
- 4 steps
The same fault is shown as E6101, E:61-01 on some Bosch series, depending on the display and the model year.
Before you start
- Isolate the appliance at the socket before reaching into the pump chamber. The impeller is driven directly by a mains motor.
- Do not remove the lower front panel or test the pump wiring yourself. Those connections sit next to mains terminals under a machine that holds water.
- Do not keep restarting the cycle to see whether it clears. Repeatedly stalling a pump motor is how a recoverable fault becomes a burnt-out one.
What it means
The machine has detected a fault in the waste water pump circuit. Either the pump is not running when it is told to, or it is drawing current outside the range the control board expects.
Most likely causes
Ordered from most to least common, with what each one looks like:
| Cause | How likely | What you would see |
|---|---|---|
| The pump is mechanically obstructed by debris that has passed the filters, so it stalls as soon as it is energised | high | A short strained buzz at the drain stage rather than the usual steady running note |
| The pump motor winding has failed after long service, leaving an open or shorted circuit | medium | Nothing at all is heard at the drain stage, even faintly, with the room quiet |
| The wiring or connector to the pump has worked loose or corroded where it passes under the tub | medium | The fault is intermittent and sometimes clears after the machine is moved |
| The control board output driving the pump has failed | low | A known-good pump fitted by an engineer still produces the same code |
Fix steps
Tools needed
- Gloves
- Torch
- Shallow jug
-
Switch the machine off at the socket or fused spur before opening anything up, and leave it isolated for the checks below.
Expected result The display is dark and the pump cannot be energised while you work.
-
Bail out standing water, remove the filter assembly and lift the pump cover, then check the chamber for debris and turn the impeller a full revolution by hand.
Expected result The chamber is clear and the impeller turns through a complete rotation without grinding or binding. If it does not, go to step 4.
-
Refit the pump cover and filters properly, restore power and run a short rinse to see whether clearing the obstruction was enough.
Expected result The pump runs steadily, the tub empties and the code does not come back. If it does not, go to step 4.
-
If the impeller was already free, or the code returns after clearing it, stop here and book a qualified engineer. Tell them the drain pump circuit is being reported and that the impeller is not jammed.
Expected result The engineer arrives able to test the pump winding and its wiring rather than starting from scratch.
Parts needed
| Part | Part number | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Drain pump | Varies by model | Varies by supplier |
When to call a technician
Call a qualified technician for this one. The steps above are safe to carry out yourself to confirm the fault, but the repair involves work that should not be attempted without the right training and equipment.
Common questions
What does E23 mean on a Bosch dishwasher?
The machine has detected a fault in the waste water pump circuit. Either the pump is not running when it is told to, or it is drawing current outside the range the control board expects. The pump is mechanically obstructed by debris that has passed the filters, so it stalls as soon as it is energised is the most common reason for it.
Can I keep using the dishwasher?
No. Stop using the machine until the fault is resolved, because running it in this state risks further damage or a water leak.
Is this something I can fix myself?
No. This one should go to a qualified technician. You can safely carry out the first checks below to confirm the fault, but the repair itself is not a DIY job.
Models this applies to
- SMS All codes for this model
- SMV All codes for this model
- SMI All codes for this model
- SHP All codes for this model
- SHE All codes for this model
Related codes on the same machines
- E12 Limescale and grease have built up on the heating surfaces to the point where the machine reports that it needs descaling before it can heat water reliably.
- E15 Water has collected in the tray underneath the dishwasher and a float in that tray has tripped the leak protection system, which shuts the machine down and runs the drain pump to keep the leak from spreading.
- E18 The machine asked for water and not enough arrived in the time it allows, so it stopped the cycle rather than washing without a proper fill.
- E21 The circulation pump that drives water up to the spray arms is reported as blocked, so the machine stops rather than running the motor against an obstruction.
- E22 The filters in the base of the tub are blocked enough to starve the circulation pump, or the filter assembly is not locked into place, so the machine cannot move water round the wash arms properly.
- E24 The dishwasher tried to pump the water out and the level in the tub did not drop, so it stopped mid-cycle with dirty water still standing in the bottom.
Sources
- BSH Hausgeraete GmbH (Bosch), Bosch dishwasher support, error E23 (link) — retrieved 2026-07-26