What is an E25 Bosch dishwasher error code? (And How to Fix It!)

Dependable and hardworking, our Bosch dishwasher is probably more reliable than some people in our lives. Sure, there are days when it malfunctions but at least it tells us what went wrong through an error code.

An E25 error is one of the most common codes you’ll encounter. In most cases, a good clean is all your dishwasher needs to resolve the error, but if a component malfunctions, you’ll have to take it out and replace it.

Here, we’ll show you how to troubleshoot an E25 error code on a Bosch dishwasher, starting with the quickest fixes. We’ll give you step-by-step instructions so you can resolve the error and prevent it from recurring. 

What is an E25 Bosch dishwasher error code?

An E25 error code on a Bosch dishwasher indicates a drain pump error. It can be caused by a clog or incorrect installation.

Food scraps and dirt can block the drain pump and cause it to malfunction during drain cycles. If its cover is missing or not installed correctly, an E25 error code appears.

Another possible cause of an E25 error code is a faulty drain pump. Although it doesn’t happen as frequently as a clog, it is worth looking into if the error doesn’t clear after you’ve cleaned the pump and installed it correctly.

Here are a few signs to watch out for that indicate a blocked or faulty drain pump.

• Your dishwasher is slow to drain or not draining at all.
• Your dishwasher has a pool of dirty water at the bottom.
• Your dishwasher keeps making gurgling noises.
• Your dishwasher is developing unpleasant smells.

How to Fix Bosch Dishwasher E25 Error Code

To fix a Bosch Dishwasher E25 error code, check the drain pump cover and make sure it isn’t loose. If the bottom of the unit is flooded with dirty water, the pump is most likely clogged.

Wear protective gloves and clean the drain pump. Install its cap correctly to prevent the code from recurring.

We’ll walk you through all steps in our guide below. We’ll also give you a few tips to help you prevent the E25 error code from recurring.

Causes	Solutions
Loose Drain Pump Cover	• Unplug the dishwasher and turn off the water supply. • Open the door and remove the bottom rack. Take off the spray arm and set it aside. • Rotate the cap counterclockwise and lift the filter to remove it. Wear protective gloves to prevent potential injuries. • Check if the pump cover is installed correctly. If it is loose or missing, reinstall it. • Attach the pump cover until it clicks into place. • Reinstall the filter. Make sure the arrows align. • Return the spray arm and the bottom rack. • Turn on the water supply and plug in the dishwasher. Check if the E25 error is resolved.
Damaged Drain Pump Cover	• Unplug the dishwasher and turn off the water supply. • Open the door. Pull the bottom dish rack out and set it aside. • Remove the spray arm and set it aside. • Rotate the cap counterclockwise and lift the filter to remove it. • Wear protective gloves to prevent potential injuries to your hand. • Locate the drain pump cover in the sump. • Pry the locking tab on the cover to release it. Then, reach in and pull it out of the dishwasher. • Lower the cover into the sump and install it until it locks into place. Use a spoon or a flathead screwdriver to push it in. • Reinstall the filter and rotate its cap until the arrows line up. • Reattach the spray arm and bottom dish rack. • Turn on the water supply and plug in the dishwasher. Check if the E25 error code is resolved.
Clogged Drain Pump	• Unplug the dishwasher and open the door. • Remove the lower rack and the bottom spray arm. Set them 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 potential injuries. • Use a spoon to pry the pump cover. Hold the cover by the lug and pull it up. • Remove food scabs, dirt, and other debris 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. • Plug in the dishwasher. Check if the pump is functioning properly.
Faulty Drain Pump	• Unplug the dishwasher and turn off the water supply. • Use a Torx 20 screwdriver to unthread the screws on the door. • Open the door and remove the mounting screws on the panel. • Close the door slightly and slide its outer panel down to remove it. Then, detach the control pad from the panel. • Unthread the screws on the access panel at the bottom of the dishwasher, and pull out the panel. • Remove the screws on the frame support. Use a flathead screwdriver to pull out the frame. • Take off the insulation to access the pump. • Locate the drain pump and unfasten the harness from its retaining clip. • Press the locking tab with a flathead screwdriver and simultaneously rotate the motor clockwise to unscrew it. • Disconnect the plug and remove the faulty drain pump. Wipe the water on the housing before installing the new pump. • Align the tabs on the new pump. Push it in and turn it counterclockwise to secure it. • Connect the plug and place the harness back into its retaining clip. • Reinstall the insulation and frame support. After, mount the access panel and secure it with its screws. • Reattach the control pad to the outer door panel. • Mount the outer door panel. Then, reinstall the screws on both sides of the door. • Turn the water supply on and plug in the dishwasher. Finally, check if the pump is working.

Loose Drain Pump Cover

Did you recently clean the drain pump on your Bosch dishwasher? 

If an E25 error code appears after routine cleaning and maintenance, your drain pump cover is most likely loose. Perhaps you even forgot to install it all, which happens more often than we would like to admit. 

Whether the cover is missing or loose, this will let more water into the drain pump and increase its load. Then, it will trigger an E25 error code.

Not to worry, it is an easy fix, which you can perform in 5 minutes or less.

Solution: To reinstall a loose or missing drain pump cover on a Bosch dishwasher, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher and turn off the water supply.
• Step 2: Open the door and remove the bottom rack.
• Step 3: Remove the spray arm and set it aside.
• Step 4: Rotate the cap counterclockwise and lift the filter to remove it.
• Step 5: Wear protective gloves to prevent potential injuries.
• Step 6: Check if the pump cover is missing or loose. Reinstall it if necessary.
• Step 7: Pry the pump cover using a spoon and pull it out of the dishwasher.
• Step 8: Attach the pump cover until it clicks into place.
• Step 9: Reinstall the filter. Make sure the arrows align to secure it.
• Step 10: Return the spray arm and the bottom rack.
• Step 11: Turn on the water supply and plug in the dishwasher.
• Step 12: Check if the E25 error is resolved.

Quick Note: • You can remove the drain pump on some Bosch dishwashers using a manual screwdriver. To find out if your unit is one of them, refer to your user manual.

Damaged Drain Pump Cover

Inspect the drain pump cover for signs of damage. Just like an improperly installed drain pump cover, a cracked one will put a lot of stress on the drain pump and prompt an E25 error code.

Once damaged, you can’t repair the drain pump cover. You can get a replacement part for your specific dishwasher model.

Solution: To replace a damaged drain pump cover on a Bosch dishwasher, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher and turn off the water supply.
• Step 2: Open the door. Pull the bottom dish rack out and set it aside.
• Step 3: Remove the spray arm and set it aside.
• Step 4: Rotate the cap counterclockwise and lift the filter to remove it.
• Step 5: Wear protective gloves to prevent potential injuries to your hand.
• Step 6: Locate the drain pump cover in the sump.
• Step 7: Pry the locking tab on the cover to release it. Then, reach in and pull it out of the dishwasher.
• Step 8: Lower the cover into the sump and install it until it locks into place. Use a spoon or a flathead screwdriver to push it in.
• Step 9: Reinstall the filter and rotate its cap until the arrows line up.
• Step 10: Reattach the spray arm and bottom dish rack.
• Step 11: Turn on the water supply and plug in the dishwasher.
• Step 12: Check if the E25 error code is resolved.

Clogged Drain Pump

The most common cause of an E25 error is a clogged drain pump.

If water is pooling at the bottom of the dishwasher, it’s most likely caused by an obstruction. Dirt, food scraps, and other debris can accumulate in the pump over time, causing a drain issue.

You may see an E24 or E25 error code if your Bosch dishwasher is not draining properly. Cleaning the pump will resolve the error and fix the drain problem.

What you’ll need:

• Protective gloves
• Sponge

Solution: To clean a clogged Bosch dishwasher drain pump, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher and open the door.
• Step 2: Remove the bottom rack.
• Step 3: Remove the 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.

On some models, you can remove the drain pump using a manual screwdriver. Never use an electric screwdriver to remove it.

• 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 properly.

Faulty Drain Pump

If an E25 error code doesn’t clear after you clean the drain pump and install it correctly, you should test it for continuity. It will help you determine if the component is still functioning properly.

A malfunctioning drain pump will cause your Bosch dishwasher to drain slowly or not drain at all. Unfortunately, you can’t repair it once it is broken, but you can replace it with a new component.

What you’ll need:

• Towel
• Phillips screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver
• Torx 20 screwdriver
• Multimeter
• New drain pump

Solution: First, remove the drain pump and use a multimeter to test for continuity. If it has no continuity, the pump is malfunctioning and requires a replacement.

• Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher and turn off the water supply.
• Step 2: Use a Torx 20 screwdriver to unthread the screws on the door.
• Step 3: Open the door and remove the rest of the screws on the panel.
• Step 4: Close the door slightly and slide its outer panel down to remove it.
• Step 5: Disconnect the control pad from the outer door panel.
• Step 6: Unthread the screws on the access panel at the bottom of the dishwasher. Then, remove the access panel.
• Step 7: Remove the screws on the frame support.
• Step 8: Use a flathead screwdriver to pull out the frame.
• Step 9: Remove the insulation to access the pump.
• Step 10: Unfasten the harness from its retaining clip.
• Step 11: Press the locking tab with a flathead screwdriver and simultaneously rotate the motor clockwise to unscrew it.
• Step 12: Disconnect the plug and remove the drain pump.
• Step 13: Set your digital multimeter to the lowest settings for ohms of resistance or resistance with tone.
• Step 14: Place the black meter lead to one of the terminals on the drain pump and the red lead to another terminal.
• Step 15: Check the reading on the multimeter. 

A functioning drain pump will show 15 to 40 ohms of resistance. If there’s little to no change on the multimeter display, the pump has no continuity and needs a replacement.

To replace a faulty drain pump on a Bosch dishwasher, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Unplug the dishwasher and turn off the water supply.
• Step 2: Use a Torx 20 screwdriver to unthread the screws on the door.
• Step 3: Open the door and remove the screws on the other side of the door.
• Step 4: Close the door slightly and slide its outer panel down to remove it.
• Step 5: Detach the control pad from the outer door panel.
• Step 6: Unthread the screws on the access panel at the bottom of the dishwasher. Then, remove the access panel.
• Step 7: Remove the screws on the frame support.
• Step 8: Use a flathead screwdriver to pull out the frame.
• Step 9: Remove the insulation to access the pump.
• Step 10: Unfasten the harness from its retaining clip.
• Step 11: Press the locking tab with a flathead screwdriver and simultaneously rotate the motor clockwise to unscrew it.
• Step 12: Disconnect the plug and remove the faulty drain pump.
• Step 13: Wipe the water on the housing before installing the new pump.
• Step 14: Align the tabs on the new pump. Push it in and turn it counterclockwise to secure it.
• Step 15: Connect the plug and place the harness back into its retaining clip.
• Step 16: Reinstall the insulation and frame support.
• Step 17: Mount the access panel and secure it with its screws.
• Step 18: Reattach the control pad to the outer door panel.
• Step 19: Mount the outer door panel. Then, reinstall the screws on both sides of the door.
• Step 20: Turn the water supply on and plug in the dishwasher.
• Step 21: Check if the pump is working.

Frequently Asked Questions

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