A Bosch dishwasher that won't drain typically shows an E24 or E25 error — E24 is a drainage problem (filter/hose), E25 points at the drain pump or its cover. Bosch's design makes the filter cleanup easy and the fix affordable.
The known Bosch issue: The E24/E25 pair is the most common Bosch complaint and is usually a filter clean or reseating the pump cover — rarely a new part. Bosch dishwashers are worth keeping.
What's actually different about a Bosch
Clogged filter (E24) Easy
Bosch's fine filter clogs and blocks the drain — E24.
What you can check: Twist out the cylindrical filter at the bottom and rinse it thoroughly.
Drain hose / high loop Moderate
A kinked hose or missing high loop causes drain-back.
What you can check: Confirm the drain hose has a high loop under the counter and isn't kinked.
Drain pump / pump cover (E25) Moderate
A dislodged pump cover or debris in the impeller — E25.
What you can check: With power off, lift out the pump cover under the filter and clear any debris (a common fix).
Bosch dishwasher fault codes
E24
Water not draining — clean filter and check the hose
E25
Drain pump / pump cover — clear debris or reseat the cover
Try this first: Hold the Start button ~3 seconds to cancel/drain; if that won't clear it, cut power 1 minute, clean the filter and pump cover, and retry.
Get the exact Bosch part — shipped to your door
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Water in the bottom of the dishwasher after a cycle is a classic — and usually simple — problem. A lot of the time it's something you can clear in a few minutes, especially if a new garbage disposal was just installed. Here are the causes in the order we check them.
Safety first: Turn the dishwasher off at the breaker before reaching near the drain pump. Scoop out standing water with a cup and towel first.
Clogged filter or sump Easy
Food, grease, and debris build up in the filter at the bottom of the tub and block drainage. This is the most common cause and an easy clean.
What you can check: Remove the bottom rack, twist out the filter, and rinse it under hot water. Clear any debris in the sump.
Garbage disposal knockout plug Moderate
If a new garbage disposal was recently installed and the dishwasher won't drain, the installer likely forgot to knock out the drain plug inside the disposal inlet. Extremely common.
What you can check: Check under the sink — if a new disposal went in recently, the knockout plug may need to be removed from the disposal's dishwasher inlet.
Clogged or kinked drain hose Moderate
The hose from the dishwasher to the disposal or standpipe can clog or kink.
What you can check: Check the hose under the sink for kinks. A deep clog is a technician clear-out.
Drain pump Pro
The pump that pushes water out can fail or jam with glass or debris.
What you can check: A humming pump with no draining points here. Replacement is a technician repair.
Check valve stuck Pro
A one-way valve keeps drained water from flowing back; if it sticks, drainage suffers.
What you can check: Not a typical DIY check. Diagnosed by a technician.
Is it worth repairing?
The vast majority of dishwasher drain problems are cheap fixes — a filter clean, a knockout plug, or a hose. Even a drain pump is an affordable part. A dishwasher that won't drain is almost always worth repairing.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my Bosch dishwasher won't drain?
A Bosch dishwasher that won't drain typically shows an E24 or E25 error — E24 is a drainage problem (filter/hose), E25 points at the drain pump or its cover. Bosch's design makes the filter cleanup easy and the fix affordable.
Is there a known issue with Bosch dishwashers won't drain?
The E24/E25 pair is the most common Bosch complaint and is usually a filter clean or reseating the pump cover — rarely a new part. Bosch dishwashers are worth keeping.
Why is there water at the bottom of my dishwasher?
A small amount is normal; a full pool after a cycle means it didn't drain. The usual causes are a clogged filter, a garbage-disposal knockout plug that was never removed, a kinked drain hose, or a failed drain pump.
I just got a new garbage disposal and my dishwasher won't drain — why?
This is very common. New disposals ship with a knockout plug in the dishwasher inlet that must be removed during installation. If it was missed, the dishwasher can't drain into the disposal. Removing the plug fixes it.
Can I fix a dishwasher that won't drain myself?
Often yes — cleaning the filter and checking the disposal knockout are safe, simple steps. If the drain pump has failed or there's a deep clog, that's a technician repair.