What does an E24 Bosch dishwasher error code mean? (Easy Fixes!)

Is dirty water pooling at the bottom of your Bosch dishwasher? Along with an E24 error code, a flooded dishwasher is a clear indicator of a drainage problem.

An obstruction is the most likely cause of the drain error. Since a clog may occur in different parts of the dishwasher, the challenge is finding it so that you can clean it.

Here, we will explore the different parts of your Bosch dishwasher that can get obstructed. We will also show you how to troubleshoot the issue and clear the drain error.

What does an E24 Bosch dishwasher error code mean?

An E24 error code on a Bosch dishwasher indicates a drain error. The most common cause is a blockage, which can occur in the drain hose, filter, water pump, or air gap. 

Cleaning the obstruction will clear the error. If there are kinks on the hose, straighten them out to improve drainage.

Troubleshooting an E24 Bosch Dishwasher Error Code

To fix an E24 Bosch dishwasher error code, check for a clog in the drain hose, filter, water pump, or air gap. Clear the obstruction to improve drainage.

If an E24 code appears after a new garbage disposal installation, look for a plug in the drain connection and remove it.

Here, we listed the possible causes of an E24 Bosch dishwasher error code. We also provide step-by-step instructions so you can troubleshoot the error by yourself.

Causes	Solutions
Dirty Filter	• Unplug the dishwasher. Open the door, and remove the lower rack. • Locate the mesh filter at the bottom of the dishwasher. • Remove the bottom spray arm and set it aside.  • Rotate the filter cap counterclockwise and lift the filter to remove it. • Remove any food residue and debris. Then, wash the filter in warm, soapy water.  • Reinstall the filter. Rotate the filter cap clockwise until it is secure. • Reattach the bottom spray arm and the lower rack. • Close the door, and test if the dishwasher drains properly.
Kinked and Obstructed Drain Hose	• Unplug the dishwasher. • Check the drain hose for kinks and bent areas.  • Place one end of the hose into a bucket. Straighten out any kinks and bent areas to promote better flow. • Inspect the hose for any blockages and remove any visible obstructions. • Use the drain function and let the water flow into the bucket. • Reconnect the drain hose and plug in the dishwasher. • Run a quick cycle to check if it drains.
Blocked Drain Pump	• Unplug the dishwasher. Open the door, and remove the lower rack. • Take off the bottom spray arm and set it aside. • Rotate the cap counterclockwise and lift the filter to remove it. • Use a sponge to soak up the water near the pump area. Wear protective gloves to prevent injuries. • Use a spoon to pry the pump cover. Then, hold the cover by the lug and pull it up. • Remove food residue and other foreign objects from the pump.  • Reinstall the pump cover until it clicks.  • Reattach the mesh filter, and rotate the cap clockwise to secure it.  • Put the lower rack back and close the door.  • Run a cleaning cycle to confirm that the dishwasher is draining properly.
Clogged Air Gap	• Locate the air gap and remove its stainless steel cover. • Pull out the inner cover to access the air gap. • Use a toothpick or bamboo skewers to remove visible food particles and dirt from the air gap. • Get a shallow bowl and put it over the air gap. • Add towels around the air gap to absorb spills. • Start a brief rinse cycle to clear any remaining dirt and food residue. • Hold down the bowl to prevent water from spilling all over your counter. • Inspect the air gap again for any obstructions. Remove them if you find any. • Reattach the inner cover until it locks into place. Then, reinstall the stainless steel air gap cover.
Unremoved Knockout Plug	• Disconnect the drain hose. Remove the garbage disposal and set it on its side. • Use a hammer and screwdriver to knock out the plug. Then, remove the plug • Reinstall the garbage disposal, and reconnect the drain hose. • Run a cycle to confirm that the drain error is resolved.

Dirty Filter

One of the most common causes of a drain error on a Bosch dishwasher is a clogged filter. Over time, dirt, debris, and food particles can accumulate in the filter, restricting the flow of water out of the unit.

Cleaning the filter will promote better drainage, and it will clear the code. If the issue persists after cleaning the filter, the clog could be somewhere else, such as the hose, pump, and air gap.

Solution: To clean your Bosch dishwasher filter, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher and open the door.
• Step 2: Remove the lower rack.
• Step 3: Locate the mesh filter at the bottom of the dishwasher.
• Step 4: Remove the bottom spray arm and set it aside.
• Step 5: Rotate the cap counterclockwise and lift the filter to remove it.
• Step 6: Remove any food residue and debris. Then, wash the filter in warm, soapy water. 
• Step 7: Reinstall the filter. Rotate the filter cap clockwise until it is secure.
• Step 8: Reattach the bottom spray arm.
• Step 9: Reinstall the lower rack and close the door.
• Step 10: Plug the dishwasher and test if it drains properly.

Quick Note: • Clean your Bosch dishwasher filter every 3 to 6 months depending on your usage. If your household has hard water, clean it about 12 times per year or once per month.

Kinked and Obstructed Drain Hose

Kinks and bent areas on the drain hose can restrict the flow of water during the drainage process. As long as there are no damages to the hose, straightening out the kinks should fix your problem.

The drain hose can also be clogged with food particles, dirt, and other foreign objects. Whether it is connected to an air gap or garbage disposal, a clog in the hose can prevent your Bosch dishwasher from draining properly. 

If your drain hose is set up with a high loop, it’s most likely not the cause of your drain error. In such a case, inspect other areas for obstructions.

Solution: To clean an obstructed drain hose on a Bosch dishwasher, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher.
• Step 2: Check the drain hose for kinks and bent areas. 
• Step 3: Place one end of the hose into a bucket. Straighten out any kinks and bent areas to promote better flow.
• Step 4: Inspect the hose for any blockages and remove any visible obstructions.
• Step 5: Use the drain function and let the water flow into the bucket.
• Step 6: Reconnect the drain hose and plug in the dishwasher.
• Step 7: Run a quick cycle to check if it drains.

Quick Note: • Inspect the drain hose for signs of damage, such as tears and holes. If you see any damage, replace it right away as it can cause water to leak out of your dishwasher.

Blocked Drain Pump

Do you hear a loud buzzing noise from your Bosch dishwasher? That often happens when the drain pump is clogged with dirt and debris.

Whenever you clean the filter, you might as well clean the pump because they are located in the same area. Never reach into the pump without protective gloves because sharp debris may accumulate there.

Solution: To clean a blocked Bosch dishwasher water pump, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher and open the door.
• Step 2: Remove the lower rack.
• Step 3: Remove the bottom spray arm and set it aside.
• Step 4: Rotate the cap counterclockwise and lift the filter to remove it.
• Step 5: Use a sponge to soak up the water near the pump area. 
• Step 6: Wear protective gloves to prevent potential injuries.
• Step 7: Use a spoon to pry the pump cover.
• Step 8: Hold the cover by the lug and pull it up.

The cover is secured with a screw on some models. Unthread it using a manual screwdriver—not an electric screwdriver.

• Step 9: Remove food residue and other foreign objects from the pump. 
• Step 10: Reinstall the pump cover until it clicks. 
• Step 11: Reattach the mesh filter, and rotate the cap clockwise to secure it.
• Step 12: Put the lower rack back and close the door.
• Step 13: Plug in the dishwasher. Run a cleaning cycle to confirm that it is draining.

Quick Note: • Always check if the pump cover is closed properly after cleaning to prevent further drainage problems on your Bosch dishwasher.

Clogged Air Gap

Does your Bosch dishwasher have an air gap? It is a chrome or stainless steel fitting usually found at the back of the sink near the faucet.

An air gap prevents siphoning and keeps dirty water from re-entering your appliance during wash cycles. If the drain connection or garbage disposal gets clogged, it also prevents sink water from flooding your dishwasher.

Food scraps and dirt can build up in this tiny gap, preventing water from flowing out of your dishwasher. Like the other issues we mentioned in this guide, a good clean should improve drainage. 

Solution: To clean a clogged air gap, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Locate the air gap and remove its stainless steel cover.
• Step 2: Pull out the inner cover to access the air gap.
• Step 3: Use a toothpick or bamboo skewers to remove visible food particles and dirt from the air gap.
• Step 4: Get a shallow bowl and put it over the air gap so that water will flow into the sink instead of the counter. Add towels around the air gap to absorb spills.
• Step 5: Run a brief rinse cycle to clear any remaining dirt and food residue.
• Step 6: Wait for water to flow out of the air gap. Hold down the bowl to prevent water from spilling all over your counter.
• Step 7: Inspect the air gap again for any obstructions. Remove them if you find any.
• Step 8: Reattach the inner cover until it locks into place.
• Step 9: Reinstall the stainless steel air gap cover.

Quick Note: • You might notice water leaks or unpleasant smells coming from the air gap when it accumulates a lot of dirt and food scraps. This means it’s time to clean it. • Just remember that not all dishwashers have an air gap. If yours doesn’t, inspect the other components of your unit that can get clogged up.

Unremoved Knockout Plug 

If the E24 drain error appeared after you installed a new garbage disposal system, you might not have a clog. You probably just forgot to remove the knockout plug, which is located inside the drainage port where the hose connects.

All you have to do is remove the knockout plug to resolve the drain error. It should be a quick 60-second fix, requiring only a hammer and a screwdriver.

Solution: To remove a garbage disposal drain plug, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Unplug the garbage disposal, and disconnect the drain hose.
• Step 2: Remove the garbage disposal and set it on its side.
• Step 3: Use a hammer and screwdriver to knock out the plug.
• Step 4: Remove the plug.
• Step 5: Reinstall the garbage disposal.
• Step 6: Reconnect the drain hose.
• Step 7: Run a cycle to confirm that the drain error is resolved.

Quick Note: • The inlet on a new garbage disposal system will come with a removable knockout plug. You must dislodge it before installing the drain hose or your dishwasher won’t drain properly.

How to Reset an E24 Bosch Dishwasher Error

Resetting your Bosch dishwasher will usually clear bugs and glitches in the system after power interruptions or outages. At times, it is a necessary part of the troubleshooting process.

After cleaning the obstructions on your Bosch dishwasher, you need to reset it to clear the E24 error code on the display.

There are two ways to reset a Bosch dishwasher. You can press the reset button if it is available on your unit, or you can power cycle it.

• Method 1: Push and hold the Start button for three seconds to reset your Bosch dishwasher.

On most Bosch dishwashers, the Start button doubles as a reset button. You’ll see the “reset” label if the button functions as such.

• Method 2: Unplug the dishwasher or turn it off at the circuit breaker. Wait for about 1 to 5 minutes before you restore power.

An E24 error code should disappear once the dishwasher resets. If it doesn’t, we recommend calling a repair technician who specializes in Bosch dishwashers.

Frequently Asked Questions

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