Bosch dishwasher E24 error
Stop using the machine
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. The drain hose is kinked, crushed against the wall, or looped so high that the pump cannot lift water over it is the most common cause.
- Difficulty
- DIY
- Time needed
- About 30 min
- Checks
- 7 steps
The same fault is shown as F24, E6103, E:61-03 on some Bosch series, depending on the display and the model year.
Before you start
- Isolate the dishwasher at the socket or the fused spur before reaching into the sump. Broken glass and cutlery fragments collect there and the pump can start under program control.
- Assume the standing water is contaminated. Wear gloves and wash your hands afterwards.
What it means
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.
Most likely causes
Ordered from most to least common, with what each one looks like:
| Cause | How likely | What you would see |
|---|---|---|
| The drain hose is kinked, crushed against the wall, or looped so high that the pump cannot lift water over it | high | The machine was pushed back into its recess recently, or the fault started after the kitchen was rearranged |
| On a recent installation, the blanking plug inside the waste disposal or sink spigot was never knocked out, so the hose drains into a sealed stub | high | The dishwasher has never once drained successfully since it was fitted |
| The drain pump cover was not clicked back down after the filters were last cleaned, so the pump draws air instead of water | medium | The fault appeared immediately after someone cleaned the filters out |
| The coarse and fine filters are packed with food debris and grease, throttling flow to the pump | medium | Standing water smells stale and the filter basket is visibly clogged when lifted |
| The sink waste or trap the dishwasher shares is itself blocked, so there is nowhere for the water to go | low | The kitchen sink next to the machine is also draining slowly or backing up |
Fix steps
Tools needed
- Shallow jug or bowl
- Sponge or old towel
- Torch
-
Switch the dishwasher off at the wall socket or isolator before putting your hands anywhere near the sump, and leave it off for the checks that follow.
Expected result The display goes dark and the machine cannot start a cycle while you are working on it.
-
Pull the machine forward far enough to see the drain hose and follow its whole run, straightening any kink and lifting it clear of anything resting on it.
Expected result The hose runs in a smooth curve with no flattened sections and nothing pinching it behind the cabinet. If it does not, go to step 3.
-
If the machine was fitted recently or the waste disposal was replaced, disconnect the drain hose at the sink end and check that the blanking plug in the spigot has actually been knocked out.
Expected result You can see clean through the spigot into the waste pipe rather than into a sealed plastic face. If it does not, go to step 4.
-
Bail the standing water out of the tub with a jug and a sponge until the sump is dry enough to work in.
Expected result The bottom of the tub is empty and you can see the filter assembly clearly.
-
Twist out the filter assembly, wash the debris off it under a running tap, then lift the pump cover beside it and clear anything sitting underneath before pressing the cover back until it clicks.
Expected result The filters are clear, the impeller underneath turns freely by hand, and the cover is locked down rather than sitting loose. If it does not, go to step 6.
-
Fill the kitchen sink and let it drain to prove the shared waste is clear, then rod or clear the trap if it drains slowly.
Expected result The sink empties briskly with no gurgling or backing up. If it does not, go to step 7.
-
Restore power, cancel the old programme, and run the shortest rinse cycle you have while listening for the drain pump.
Expected result The pump runs steadily for around a minute, the tub empties, and the cycle completes without the code returning.
Parts needed
| Part | Part number | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher drain hose | Varies by model | Varies by supplier |
| Filter assembly, coarse and fine | Varies by model | Varies by supplier |
When to call a technician
Call a qualified technician if you work through every step above and the code comes back, if you find water where it should not be, or if any part of the job needs the machine powered up with panels removed. A repeat fault after a correct repair usually points at the control board rather than the part you replaced.
Common questions
What does E24 mean on a Bosch dishwasher?
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. The drain hose is kinked, crushed against the wall, or looped so high that the pump cannot lift water over it 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?
Yes, for most people. The checks below need shallow jug or bowl, sponge or old towel and torch and take about 30 minutes.
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.
- E23 The machine has detected a fault in the waste water pump circuit.