Bosch Dishwasher Error Code E22 [Try this fix first!]

Bosch Dishwasher Error Code E22

Say you’re on your way to putting away the dishes when your Bosch dishwasher flashes an E22 code, and so you find yourself wondering, “What does it mean?”

This scenario is no cause for panic! An E22 is one of the simplest error codes you’ll encounter in your appliance.

In most cases, all it takes is a simple cleaning!

This article will help you understand why you’re getting this error code and how you can fix it, so sit back and read on. We guarantee this one will be easy to follow!

What does a Bosch dishwasher error code E22 mean?

What does a Bosch dishwasher error code E22 mean

An error code E22 from your Bosch dishwasher indicates the filter is blocked or clogged. This is commonly caused by food or soap residue.

To fix this, take the filter out from below the bottom rack and wash it with mild soap. Then, restart the appliance.

Your Bosch dishwasher is equipped with a filter that prevents food and soap residue from sticking back onto the dishes you just washed. Over time, trapped residue can build up, especially if you’re prone to washing heavy loads.

When the filter goes uncleaned after several washes, or when particularly large debris gets caught in the filter and prevents the water from draining properly, your dishwasher will communicate that you need to tend to it through a unique E22 error code.

Taking the filter out is fairly easy. As an overview, here are the steps you need to follow:

  • Step 1: Unplug your dishwasher, then remove the bottom rack and set it aside.
  • Step 2: Locate the filter knob at the bottom of the dishwasher tub. Turn it to the left to access the filter.
  • Step 3: Once the filter is removed, wash each piece under warm running water and with mild soap. If there is stubborn residue, use a soft-bristled brush to remove it.
  • Step 4: Dry the filter, then reassemble the pieces together and place the filter back in the dishwasher.

The error code you’re receiving should then clear up once everything is all neat and clean again — that is if the issue is only clogging from an untended filter.                        

If you open the filter and find it perfectly normal but are still getting the E22 code, then the next place to inspect are the parts connected to it — like the inlet valve, for example. 

Aside from the filter itself, some other issue might be keeping the water in the appliance from draining properly. 

The good news is that we’re here to list them all and provide alternative solutions to help you get your dishwasher up and running normally again!

Common Reasons for a Bosch Dishwasher E22 Error Code and How to Fix Them

Common Reasons for a Bosch Dishwasher E22 Error Code and How to Fix Them

An E22 error code from your Bosch dishwasher can be solved by straightforward solutions, and most of the time, you won’t need to replace any parts!

But if the error keeps persisting, you might have to follow a trail to other parts connected to the dishwasher’s filtering or draining system.

Below, you’ll find a list of possible causes that might be contributing to this issue. It’s a short list, but it’s important to inspect them in order as they become more technical.

CauseSolution
Food or Dirt Residue• Turn your dishwasher off and empty its racks. Then, pull out the bottom rack and set it aside.

• Remove the spray arm on the bottom of the dishwasher, then turn the filter knob counterclockwise to unlock it.

• Pull the mesh screen and filter body out and clean each part with mild soap and warm water.

• If you need to use a brush to remove particles or dirt, use a soft-bristled one.

• Dry the parts individually as well, then reassemble them back in the dishwasher.
Calcium Buildup• Remove the filter as instructed above and clean them with mild soap and warm water. If the calcium buildup is thick, use a descaler.

• After cleaning the filter, reassemble it back in the dishwasher and run an empty cycle in the hottest and longest setting.

• After 30 minutes, put some descaler on the bottom of the dishwasher and let it sit through a rinse cycle.

• Once the cycle is finished, run another quick empty cycle to rinse everything off.
Clogged Drain Hose or Faulty Non-return Valve• Unplug your Bosch dishwasher and shut off its water supply. 

• Afterward, pull it out of its cabinet and leave the door open to unscrew the side panels.

• Follow the drain hose to unclip its housing cover and pull it out. Drain the remaining water in the hose and inspect it for any wearing down or damage.

•If there is clogging inside, wash it with mild soap and warm water. If there is physical damage, the hose will have to be replaced.
Partially Clogged Circulation Pump• Unplug your Bosch dishwasher and shut off its water supply. Pull it out of its cabinet and remove the front door panel by removing the outdoor door cover.

• Uninstall the screws behind the bottom of the dishwasher, which secures the body to the base.

• Remove the spray arm and filter inside the appliance and unscrew the sump.

• Rest the dishwasher down a blanket or rug to access the front panel better.

• Disconnect the fill hose, then locate the drain pump near it and pull that out by depressing its tab as you turn it in place.

• Once the drain pump is removed, you can pull out the circulation pump assembly, including the sump.

• Inspect the circulation pump motor for any clogging or blockage, usually caused by debris from dishes. Dislodge any large particles that may be stuck in the motor.

• You can also test if the motor can rotate freely using a flathead screwdriver. If it has any difficulty rotating, it will need to be replaced.

For the most part, all you’ll need to fix this issue is warm — preferably running — water and mild soap. You might want to get your screwdrivers ready as well, just in case.

We recommend you use cleaning gloves, too! If the error is still there after cleaning out each component needed, you can use the gloves as a safety measure for when you need to open your dishwasher’s panels.

Food or Dirt Residue

As we’ve briefly gone over above, the most common culprit for an E22 error code in your Bosch dishwasher is the buildup of food or soap residue, or other debris, from your previous washing sessions.

A distinct feature of your Bosch dishwasher’s filter is that it’s made up of two components: a flat mesh screen that serves as a cover and a cylindrical filter attached to it.

The mesh screen typically catches soap residue while the filter underneath it traps food particles and other finer debris that make it through the screen. As such, thicker buildup happens around the cylindrical filter.

The buildup may depend on how often you use your dishwasher and how heavy your average washing load is, but as a general rule, you have to clean the filter — both the mesh screen and the tube attached to it — at least once a month.

Solution: To further elaborate on how to take out your Bosch dishwasher’s filter and the proper way of washing it, here are step-by-step instructions:

  • Step 1: Unplug the appliance, then remove the bottom rack and set it aside.
  • Step 2: The mesh screen is located at the bottom of the dishwasher. To access it, you need to remove the bottom spray arm first.

To remove the spray arm, simply lift it carefully until it’s detached from the filter knob.

  • Step 3: Twist the filter knob counter-clockwise to unlock it, then pull it out along with the mesh screen.
  • Step 4: To wash the pieces individually, firmly grasp at the filter knob while pulling the cylindrical tube out until it disengages from the mesh screen.
  • Step 5: You can wash both pieces with warm water and mild soap.

It’s advisable to scrub down the cylindrical filter with a soft-bristled brush, especially if there is a particularly sticky or large residue stuck to it.

Meanwhile, the mesh screen is susceptible to soap residue, so rinse this part out as often as needed to remove them. If you need to use a brush, make sure to use a soft-bristled one.

  • Step 6: Dry the individual parts out before reassembling them. Afterward, relock the filter assembly in place.

You’ll notice a pair of arrows on the mesh screen and under the filter knob. When locking the assembly, turn the knob clockwise until these arrows align.

Then, put the spray arm back on the knob and power on the dishwasher any time!

Quick Tip:
• Want to avoid large particles from getting through the filter? Try rinsing the dishes first with a kitchen strainer before you put them in the dishwasher!

Calcium Buildup

Aside from the inevitable food and soap residue, your water supply itself can also contribute to the buildup clogging your Bosch dishwasher filter.

If you live in an area with a high concentration of natural minerals in your water supply, calcium can easily build up in appliances connected to it — not just the dishwasher!

This is also known as limescale or mineral buildup, and while it poses little to no health risk, the deposits around your Bosch dishwasher filter can make it difficult for water to drain, which will eventually send an E22 code or an E24 one.

Cleaning a calcium-clogged filter shouldn’t differ greatly from cleaning a debris-clogged filter, though you might need to follow special steps or use products that target limescale specifically.

Once again, this specific issue will depend on your living conditions. If your home water supply isn’t concentrated with minerals, you wouldn’t have to worry about this issue.

But if you live in a community prone to calcium buildup, depending on the severity of the concentration, you might find yourself cleaning this off more often than food residue.

If you experience calcium buildup in your Bosch dishwasher, we advise you to look into the matter once a month as well, on top of looking out for food and debris residue buildup.

Solution: Inspecting the filter and cleaning it will require the same steps in removing this part as instructed above. Afterward, as we’ve mentioned, you’ll need special products to address the minerals sticking to the filter.

With smaller buildups, a good scrubbing down using a soft-bristled brush (as simple as cleaning off food residue!) should be enough. But for more severe cases, you’ll have to use descaler products to decalcify the filter.

In general, here’s what you need to do to remove calcium buildup:

  • Step 1: Unplug your Bosch dishwasher and remove the filter from below the bottom rack. Remove the bottom spray arm and unlock the filter knob to pull it out.
  • Step 2: Once you’ve disengaged the filter assembly from the dishwasher body, use a descaler and a soft-bristled brush to scrub down the calcium deposit around the filter.

If this doesn’t remove the mineral, proceed to the next step.

  • Step 3: Mix equal parts water and vinegar in a bowl, then soak the filter in it for any time between five to thirty minutes, depending on the severity of the buildup.
  • Step 4: After soaking in the vinegar solution, wipe the filter clean with a dry cloth. Rinsing with water comes after wiping the vinegar water off the filter.
  • Step 5: Rinse the filter under warm or running water, then dry it thoroughly. Afterward, reassemble the filter back onto the dishwasher body.
Quick Tip:
After you’ve cleaned the mineral deposits on the filter, run an empty cycle first and add a descaler to ensure that your entire Bosch dishwasher is free of calcium buildup.
Here’s a step-by-step routine cleaning method you can follow to make your appliance calcium-free:
Step 1: After washing the filter, reposition it back on the bottom of the dishwasher, then power on your appliance.
Step 2: Run an empty cycle on the appliance’s hottest and longest settings. Do not add soap or detergent yet.
Step 3: After about 30 minutes, add some descaler to the bottom of the dishwasher.
Step 4: Let the rest of the cycle rinse the descaler off. Afterward, run an additional empty cycle to wash the dishwasher completely.

Clogged Drain Hose or Faulty Non-return Valve

If you find your Bosch dishwasher filter in good condition but the appliance keeps giving you an E22 error code and you notice water inside the basin not draining completely, what’s causing this might be a clogged drain hose or a failing non-return valve.

These two components come hand in hand because they’re connected to each other. Together, they’re part of an assembly that drains all the water from the appliance and keeps it from overflowing or leaking.

Moreover, the non-return valve ensures that backflow doesn’t happen. In other words, it prevents the wastewater from returning up the dishwasher’s drain after it’s been disposed of.

The primary cause of blockage in these parts is debris or gunk that gets through the filter and sticks onto the hose instead. Moreover, both of these parts can wear down over time, especially the non-return valve. 

If you’ve recently changed or adjusted them, you might be getting an error because you didn’t install the parts correctly, hence refraining wastewater from exiting the appliance correctly.

Before you troubleshoot this part, however, make it a point to eliminate all possibility of blockage inside the dishwasher. 

Fixing the drain hose and non-return valve will involve accessing the wired panels of your appliance, hence it’s advisable that you first verify that there’s no other blockage inside the dishwasher that might be causing the error instead.

Solution: Cleaning the drain hose and valve is simple, but to access them, you’ll need a couple of tools on hand. Prepare a Torx screwdriver, a dry cloth, and a basin in case some leaking occurs!

The design of a Bosch dishwasher differs from model to model, but drain hoses and non-return valves are typically installed in the side panels. For more precise instructions fit for the model you use, you may refer to your user manual.

As an overview, however, here’s how you can access the drain hose and non-return valve:

  • Step 1: Empty your Bosch dishwasher and unplug it. You’ll need to turn the appliance on its back and open the side panels, so simply cutting it off at its power source won’t do.

Take the necessary steps to pull your appliance out from the sink. If you don’t know how to do that, see our quick tip below!

Afterward, ensure that there isn’t any water stuck in the basin or the drain. If there are any, you have to siphon them out of the way.

  • Step 2: Leave the dishwasher door open and remove the side panels of the unit. There are two Torx screws on each panel that you will need to uncap.

Some models may have two extra screws at the back that need to be undone.

  • Step 3: For preventive measures, we also recommend removing the door springs on each side of the dishwasher. Afterward, you’ll notice a covered portion below the unit body where the hose generally leads.

This is usually where the non-return valve is located. Unclip the cover and carefully pry the drain hose out of its housing.

If you need to remove the base panel or the matrix (this will depend on the model you’re using) to access the hose easier, then remove them.

If you removed the matrix, make sure to drain the water in it into a basin.

  • Step 4: Afterwards, you can remove the drain hose and inspect it for any clogging or damage. Clogging can be cleaned with mild soap and water or vinegar solution for particularly stubborn debris,

If there are signs of wearing down or other physical damage, however, the drain hose will have to be replaced. The same goes for the non-return valve.

  • Step 5: Once cleaned or replaced, reinstall the assembly back on your dishwasher. Ensure that the drain hose is securely connected in place before placing the panels back.
Quick Tip:
If you need a general guideline on how to disengage your dishwasher from the sink to troubleshoot, here’s a step-by-step. 
Make sure to have your user manual in hand, though. As usual, this may vary from model to model.
Step 1: Unplug your dishwasher and shut off its water supply.
Step 2: Unscrew the lower access panel, then set it aside. There you’ll find the water inlet valve (the one that supplies water to the appliance).
Step 3: Disconnect the water supply line from the inlet valve. You might need to prepare some towels for this step in case water leaks occur.
If water drips out of the valve hose, don’t panic — it’s completely normal as it’s been actively transferring water directly from the source.
Step 4: Once the water supply line is disconnected, remove the mounting screw on the opposite end of the access panel and release the junction box cover.
Step 5: Take note of the wires in the junction box. We recommend taking a photo of them for reference.
You’ll have to disconnect these wires and reconnect them later in their release terminals. To disconnect the wires, you’ll have to unscrew them and the bracket as well.
Step 6: When you’ve removed the bracket, you’ll notice a nut around the wires. Use a flathead screwdriver to release this nut and completely remove the bracket from the strain relief.
Step 7: Disconnect the drain hose from the sink or wherever it’s connected.
Step 8: Open the dishwasher door and locate the mounting screws on the top of the appliance. You will need to unscrew them.
Step 9: Remove the locking screws on the leveling legs and adjust them accordingly until the appliance is low enough to be pulled out of its cabinet in the sink.
Once you’ve pulled it out, you’re good to go!

Partially Clogged Circulation Pump

Bosch dishwashers make use of different types of pumps to regulate the water they use to clean your dishes. 

One of these pumps is the circulation pump which, as its name suggests, circulates water into the spray arms inside the appliance. Water travels from the pump and then into the spray arms, which will then spray it over the dishes a few times during a cycle.

A clogged circulation pump may be the least likely cause of an E22 error code, but it’s also important to note that when this component gets partially clogged, the circulation of water gets interrupted.

One of the drawbacks of this scenario is that the appliance will have difficulty draining water without the correct pressure being pumped into the spray arms, resulting in the E22 error code.

While finer food particles can make it through the filters sometimes, a likelier scenario for a clogged circulation pump is that a part of your dish — yes, the dish itself! — had broken off and got chucked into the pump assembly.

Troubleshooting this problem will likely get you in contact with sharp objects, so remember to wear gloves!

Solution: Similar to the drain hose or non-return valve, accessing the circulation pump varies from model to model. Consulting your user manual can provide you with more accurate instructions fit for your Bosch dishwasher model.

But to give you a general idea, here’s what you need to do:

  • Step 1: Unplug your dishwasher and shut off its water supply. Then, proceed to disengage the dishwasher from the sink.
  • Step 2: Once you’ve pulled the appliance out, pry off the cover for the hinge ropes and disconnect the hinge ropes from the door.
  • Step 3: Open the dishwasher door and unscrew the outdoor door panel. Once unscrewed, close the door securely again while pulling down the door panel to remove it.
  • Step 4: Uninstall the screws that secure the dishwasher body to its base. You can find them in the front and in the back of the bottom part of the appliance.
  • Step 5: Remove the bottom rack of the appliance, then disengage the spray arm and the filter.
  • Step 6: Next, disengage the lower arm support from the sump by removing its mounting screws.

Unscrew the sump as well. Be mindful of any water that may leak out.

  • Step 7: Rest the dishwasher on its back to access the front panel easier. Make sure to put the appliance on a blanket or a rug.
  • Step 8: Disconnect the fill hose so you can slide the base off of the appliance. Be careful not to disconnect this part completely as some components are still connected by wires.
  • Step 9: Locate the drain pump and depress its tab while rotating clockwise. Afterward, pull it out.

With the drain pump out of the way, you can now uninstall the circulation pump and sump assembly.

  • Step 10: Once the sump assembly is uninstalled, remove the clamp that attaches the pump to the heating housing seal, then pull out the pump.

You can check the circulation pump for clogging by using a screwdriver or any similar device to test the motor. Just try to spin the motor using a tool and see if it rotates without difficulty.

If the pump is clogged, you can try to clean it out with mild soap, warm water, and a soft-bristled brush. Avoid using oils on this component.

But if the pump refuses to turn freely even after getting cleaned, you’ll have to replace it.

Quick Tip:
• While you’ve got the circulation pump in your hands, you can also test it out via an ohm reading. All you’ll need is a multimeter for this one!
• Just put the device on the ohms setting and connect the contacts to the circulation pump motor’s terminals. The value that appears should be greater than 100 ohms, otherwise, you might need to replace the pump soon.


An error E22 code is a common issue you’ll likely get more than once. 

You might forget to check the filter on time, or you might have a hearty meal with leftovers that happen to pass through the filter — whatever the case may be, an error E22 may pop up randomly.

But with this guide, we’re positive you’ll know what to do the next time. Plus, regular cleaning is a good way to prevent this from happening too often!


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