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DISHWASHER TROUBLESHOOTING

Bosch Dishwasher Error Codes Explained: E24, E25, E15, E09, E23, E17

By Andrei · Lead Technician, FixitBay LLC|Updated |~8 min read

Bosch dishwashers are the most popular premium dishwasher brand in the San Francisco Bay Area. They're quiet, efficient, and built to last. But when something goes wrong, the dishwasher shows an error code on the display panel. Understanding what these codes mean can save you time, money, and the frustration of unnecessary service calls.

Bosch documents every dishwasher code on its support site. Match yours against Bosch's official error-code guide. E15 means water reached the base pan and the AquaStop float tripped. E24 means a drain fault: a clogged filter, a blocked hose, or a loose pump cover.

This guide covers the most common Bosch dishwasher error codes, what causes them, what you can fix yourself, and when to call a licensed technician.

E24 - Dishwasher Not Draining (Most Common)

What it means: The dishwasher cannot drain water from the tub within the expected time. This is the single most common Bosch error code - our technicians see it on roughly 40% of all Bosch service calls in the Bay Area.

Common causes:

  • Clogged or dirty filter basket (check and clean first - this fixes 60%+ of E24 cases)
  • Kinked or clogged drain hose behind the dishwasher
  • Clogged air gap on the countertop (required by SF building code)
  • Garbage disposal knockout plug not removed (common in new installations)
  • Failed drain pump motor (less common, but requires replacement)

DIY fix: Remove and clean the filter assembly at the bottom of the tub. Check the drain hose for kinks. Clear the air gap cap. If the code persists after cleaning all three, the drain pump likely needs professional Bosch dishwasher service.

E25 - Drain Pump Cover Blocked

What it means: Something is physically blocking the drain pump cover - usually broken glass, a piece of food, or a small utensil that slipped through the filter.

How to access and clean: Remove the bottom rack, then remove the filter assembly. The pump cover is the round cap underneath. Twist it counterclockwise to remove. Clear any debris. Reinstall and run a rinse cycle to test. Safety: Unplug the dishwasher or turn off the breaker before reaching into the pump area - broken glass is a common culprit.

E15 - Water in Base Pan (Leak Detection)

What it means: The float switch in the base pan detected water where it shouldn't be. Bosch's Aquastop system shuts everything down to prevent flooding. This is a safety feature - the dishwasher will not run until the water is removed and the cause is fixed.

Common causes: door seal degradation, leaking hose connection, cracked pump housing, or a faulty inlet valve. In older Bosch units (10+ years), the door seal is the most common culprit.

Emergency fix: Tilt the dishwasher forward about 15 degrees to drain water from the base pan through the front. Place towels underneath. Let it dry for 24 hours. If E15 clears, monitor closely. If it returns, there's an active leak that needs professional diagnosis.

This error almost always requires a technician to diagnose and repair the source of the leak.

Andrei's Field Note

"Last winter I got a call from a homeowner in Burlingame - Bosch 800 Series SHPM65Z55N, 2018 model. Kept tripping E15 every cycle. The owner had already paid another shop for a 'whole pump replacement' diagnosis at $600+. When I pulled the kick-plate, I found a small drip at the disposal hose connection - failed clamp and gasket. $145 part + labor, single visit, code cleared. Lesson: always verify the actual leak source before quoting pump or assembly replacement. The upstream connection failure mimics drain pump symptoms but costs $400 less to fix."

- Andrei, Lead Appliance Technician, FixitBay LLC

E09 - Heating Element Failure

What it means: The dishwasher's heating element cannot reach the target temperature. Your dishes come out cold and possibly not sanitized. On Bosch models with a drying cycle, E09 also means no drying heat.

This is not a DIY fix - the heating element is integrated into the sump assembly on most Bosch models and requires disassembly. Replacement cost: from $300 including labor in the SF Bay Area.

E23 - Drain Pump Failure (Electrical Fault)

What it means: The control board cannot communicate with the drain pump motor. This is different from E24/E25 - it's an electrical failure, not a blockage. The pump motor may have burned out, or there's a wiring issue between the board and the pump.

Replacement cost: from $280 for the pump motor, or from $350 if the control board is at fault.

E17 - Water Temperature Too High

What it means: Water entering the dishwasher is above the safe temperature threshold (typically above 175°F). This can be caused by a malfunctioning home water heater, a failed dishwasher inlet valve that's only allowing hot water through, or a stuck heating element that won't turn off.

First check: Test your home water heater setting - it should be at 120°F. If the water heater is set correctly, the issue is likely the inlet valve or heating element, which requires a technician.

Bosch Dishwasher Repair Cost by Error Code (San Francisco Bay Area, 2026)
Error Code / RepairCost Range
Diagnostic visit$80 (credited toward repair)
Filter / pump cover cleaning (E24/E25 DIY)$0 DIY
Drain pump motor replacement (E24/E23)from $280
Control board replacement (E23)from $350
Heating element replacement (E09)from $300
Aquastop / leak repair (E15)from $200
Inlet valve replacement (E17)from $180
New Bosch 800 Series dishwasherfrom $1,200

When Error Codes Require Professional Repair

Some Bosch error codes are safe to troubleshoot yourself - E24 (clean the filter), E25 (clear the pump cover), and E17 (check water heater). But these situations need a licensed technician:

  • E15: Active leak detection - water damage risk if not properly diagnosed
  • E09: Heating element integrated into sump - requires disassembly
  • E23: Electrical fault - improper repair can damage the control board
  • Recurring E24: If cleaning doesn't fix it, the drain pump motor needs replacement
  • Any code that returns after reset: The underlying problem hasn't been addressed

FixitBay LLC technicians are experienced with all Bosch dishwasher models including the 100, 300, 500, 800, and Benchmark series. $80 diagnostic applied toward repair. 180-day warranty on all parts and labor. Not a Bosch? We also handle dishwasher repair across San Francisco and the Bay Area for KitchenAid, Miele, Samsung, LG, and other brands.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I reset a Bosch dishwasher after an error code?

Soft reset: press and hold the Start button for 3-5 seconds until the display clears, then close the door and start a new cycle. Hard reset: turn off the dedicated breaker for 60 seconds, then restore power - this clears stored error history on the control board. If the same code returns after a full reset, the underlying problem hasn't been fixed and needs diagnosis.

Does E24 mean my Bosch dishwasher needs a new pump?

Not necessarily. E24 means the dishwasher can't drain, but the cause is usually a clogged filter or kinked drain hose - not a failed pump. Clean the filter first, check the drain hose for kinks, and clear the air gap. If the code persists after all that, then the pump may need replacement (from $280 with labor).

How much does it cost to fix a Bosch dishwasher E24 error in SF?

To give you an exact Bosch dishwasher E24 repair cost in SF, we need to perform a diagnostic first. The diagnostic fee is $80. After the diagnostic, we'll provide you with a written repair estimate - drain pump replacement runs from $280 total (parts + labor), control board issues causing E24 run from $350, and a clogged filter or hose is often resolved during the diagnostic visit at no extra cost. Once you approve and go ahead with the repair, the $80 is included in the total cost of the work. We also provide a 180-day warranty on parts and labor.

Can I fix Bosch E15 myself or do I need a technician?

You can try tilting the dishwasher forward about 15 degrees to let water drain from the base pan, then let it dry for 24 hours. If E15 clears, monitor for recurrence. If it comes back, there's an active leak (door seal, hose, or pump seal) that requires a technician to find and fix. Do not run the dishwasher with E15 active - it can cause water damage.

How do I find the error code on my Bosch dishwasher?

Most Bosch dishwashers display the error code on the control panel digitally - look at the cycle countdown area or settings display. On older models without a digital display (pre-2010), error codes are communicated through blinking LED patterns: count the blinks on the 'Drain' or 'Wash' indicator light. For example, 4 blinks of the Drain light = E24. Your specific model's blink-code legend is in the user manual, usually on the inside of the door panel.

What does E22 mean on a Bosch dishwasher?

E22 indicates the dishwasher's overflow detection system has tripped - water flow rate is higher than expected, suggesting an inlet valve stuck open or a fill cycle problem. First check: shut off the water supply, then power-cycle the dishwasher. If E22 persists, the inlet valve assembly likely needs replacement (from $180 in SF Bay Area).

Why does my Bosch dishwasher show the same code after I reset it?

A reset clears the displayed code but doesn't fix the underlying cause. If the same code returns immediately or within one cycle, the original problem is still present. For E24, you've probably missed something in the drain path (filter not fully reseated, drain hose still kinked, air gap still clogged). For E15, the leak source hasn't been found. For electrical/board codes (E23, E09), the component has actually failed and won't 'self-heal' - it needs replacement.

Are Bosch error codes different between SHE, SHX, and Benchmark series?

The error code numbers are consistent across modern Bosch dishwasher series (SHE 300/500/800, SHX integrated, and Benchmark). What differs is the display style: Benchmark models show codes on a full LCD with text descriptions. SHE/SHX models show 3-character codes only. Pre-2014 SHU and SHE legacy models use blink-code LED communication. Diagnosis logic is the same across series.

What's the typical lifespan of a Bosch dishwasher?

Bosch dishwashers typically last 10-13 years with proper maintenance - longer than mid-tier brands but shorter than commercial-grade units. The Benchmark and 800 series are built for 12-15 years. Most components (heating element, drain pump, control board) can be replaced if they fail before the cabinet wears out. The deciding factor for repair-vs-replace at year 10+ is whether multiple components are failing simultaneously.

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About the Author

Andrei, lead technician and owner of FixitBay LLC

Andrei

Lead Technician & Owner · CA License #51001 BHGS

Andrei runs FixitBay LLC Appliance Repair from San Francisco. Licensed Major Appliance Technician (BHGS #51001) specializing in Sub-Zero, Wolf, Bosch, Miele, and Whirlpool family appliances. Field service across SF, Marin & the Peninsula.

[ Read Andrei’s full story ]