E24 means the Bosch dishwasher is not draining properly — specifically, it took too long to drain, usually over eight minutes. A blocked drain filter is the leading cause, and in most cases you can find and clear a visible clog in the filter, sump or drain hose in well under fifteen minutes.
What E24 means
The dishwasher monitors how long its drain phase takes. Once that time stretches well past normal — Bosch’s own guidance points to roughly eight minutes — it flags E24 rather than continue running with dirty water sitting in the sump.
Common causes
| Cause | How likely | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Dirty or blocked drain filter | Very common | Filter at the bottom of the tub packed with food debris |
| Loose waste-water pump cover | Common | Cover not seated correctly after a previous cleaning |
| Jammed impeller | Common | Grinding or humming noise during drain |
| Kinked or blocked waste-water hose | Common | Hose crushed behind the machine |
| Blocked or sealed siphon connection | Occasional | Connection at the sink or garbage disposal restricted |
| Restricted internal drain path or check valve | Less common | Persists after filter, hose and siphon are all clear |
How to fix it
- Remove and clean the drain filter
It sits at the bottom of the tub. Twist it free, rinse it thoroughly under running water, and clear any food debris from the housing beneath it before refitting.
- Check the pump cover is seated correctly
A loose waste-water pump cover after a previous filter cleaning can itself restrict draining — make sure it clicks fully into place.
- Check the waste-water hose
Pull the machine out if you can and look for kinks or crush points along the hose.
- Check the siphon connection
If the drain hose connects near the sink or a garbage disposal, confirm that connection is not blocked or sealed off.
- Run a test cycle
Once the filter, pump cover and hose are all clear, run a short cycle and watch the drain phase.
When to call a professional
If you have cleared all the external blockages — filter, hose, siphon — and E24 persists, the internal drain path or the check valve may be restricted, and that requires a technician to access safely.
Stop and call a qualified appliance technician or electrician if you find scorched or melted wiring, smell burning, see water that has reached electrical components, or if the fault returns immediately after a repair. Never bypass a safety device — thermal fuses, door interlocks and flood switches fail for a reason, and defeating one converts a broken appliance into a fire or flood risk.
