Introduction
Use this guide to diagnose and fix a recurring E24 drain error on a Bosch dishwasher. E24 usually means the dishwasher can’t pump out water, and common causes include a dirty filter, a loose waste water pump cover, a jammed impeller, a kinked or blocked waste water hose, a sealed or blocked siphon connection, or a clogged internal drain path. This guide was written around a built-in Bosch dishwasher, so Siemens models and other Bosch models may have minor differences.
What you need
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Step 2 Remove the baskets
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Lift the lower basket straight out of the dishwasher.
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Lift the wheel of the upper basket over the small rail stop, and slide the basket out.
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Remove the top basket the same way.
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Step 3 Remove and clean the filters
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Check for standing water above the filter.
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Twist the filter lock and lift out the cylindrical filter.
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Lift out the metal filter and clean away any food, grease, or debris.
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Step 4 Remove standing water safely
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Remove standing water from the sump with a towel, paper towel, or an industrial wet/dry vacuum rated for liquids.
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Step 5 Remove the impeller cover
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Look down the drain opening for visible debris.
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Use a knife to gently pry up the small plastic impeller cover.
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Lift out the white cover to expose the impeller.
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Step 6 Check the impeller
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Spin the impeller with a gloved finger and make sure it turns freely.
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Remove any glass, food, or debris that blocks the impeller.
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Use a phone camera to inspect deeper in the opening if you can’t see the impeller clearly.
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Look for anything that appears broken, damaged, or out of place.
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Step 7 Clean the spray arms and refit the pump cover
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Remove the spray arms while the baskets are out.
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Use a toothpick to push debris out of clogged spray holes.
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Rinse the spray arms with water, including the spray arm below the upper basket.
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Step 8 Check the waste water hose and siphon connection
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Inspect the visible waste water hose for kinks or crushed sections.
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Squeeze the metal clamp at the siphon connection and slide it back from the hose end.
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Wiggle the waste water hose back and forth to loosen it from the siphon connection.
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Check the hose end and siphon opening for sludge, debris, a sealed port, or a blockage.
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Step 9 Remove and inspect the siphon
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Unscrew the siphon fitting if the connection looks blocked or uncertain.
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Lift the siphon section out and inspect both openings.
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Clean any dirty ends, but focus on areas that actually restrict water flow.
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Step 10 Test the waste water hose flow
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Add a small amount of water to the sump opening inside the dishwasher.
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Fit an industrial wet/dry vacuum rated for liquids to the waste water hose.
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Turn on the vacuum and watch whether water is pulled out of the sump opening.
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If nothing happens, suspect a blocked waste water hose or an internal drain blockage.
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Step 11 Prepare a built in dishwasher for removal
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Remove the decorative front cover if installed by opening the door slightly and pulling the handle and cover up, then forward.
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Remove the lower cover that could scratch the floor while the dishwasher is pulled out.
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Use a screwdriver to remove the two screws fastening the dishwasher to the counter, one in each upper corner.
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Lower the rear legs by turning the rear leg adjustment screw counterclockwise.
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Lower both front legs by turning them counterclockwise.
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Place floor protection in front of the dishwasher and pull the machine out carefully.
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Step 12 Remove the left side panel
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Open the door slightly to manage the spring tension.
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Use a Torx screwdriver to remove the Torx screw under the lower edge of the left side panel.
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Close the door.
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Release the side panel clips and pull the panel off.
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Step 13 Remove the left side piping assembly
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Inspect the left side plastic piping for heavy dirt or debris inside the channels.
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Use a Torx screwdriver to remove the two screws holding the piping assembly.
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Disconnect the gray connector by pulling it down.
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Disconnect the blue connector by pushing the left blue tab to the right while pulling the connector down.
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From inside the tub, use flexible pliers to turn the plastic fitting counterclockwise and loosen it.
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Use adjustable pliers only as needed to flex the assembly loose from its clips.
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Step 14 Clear the internal drain blockage
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Lift the piping assembly enough to expose the pipe from the filter area to the side assembly.
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Remove any loose kernels, compact dirt, or sludge from the pipe and opening.
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Use steel wire or a spare electrical cable to poke through the pipe and break up packed debris.
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Flush the pipe with hot water and dishwashing detergent.
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Use an air pressure water pump if available to push hot water through the dirty section.
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Use the industrial wet/dry vacuum to test whether water now passes through the hose and outlet.
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Repeat the poking, flushing, and vacuum test until poured hot water can be sucked through freely.
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Step 15 Reinstall the side piping assembly
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Apply silicone-based sealing compound around the O-rings, small connector seals, and rubber seal.
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Slide the piping assembly back into place.
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Reconnect the gray and blue connectors until they snap into place.
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Use a Torx screwdriver to reinstall the two screws in the piping assembly.
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Reinstall the inside plastic fitting and tighten it securely.
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Step 16 Reinstall the side panel and reconnect the dishwasher
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Set the side panel down onto the lower clips.
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Lift and position the panel, push it forward, and snap the top clips into place.
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Use a Torx screwdriver to reinstall the side panel screw.
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Reattach the water stop device and reconnect the waste water hose.
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Step 17 Check for leaks and reinstall the baskets
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Tighten the connection a little more if the paper towel shows a drip.
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Slide the top basket in so the wheel sits on top of the rail stop.
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Slide the middle basket in the same way.
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Set the lower basket back into the tub.
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Run a short cycle and confirm the dishwasher drains without the E24 error returning.
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The dishwasher should drain normally after the blockage is removed and all connections are sealed. Watch the reattached water connections during the first cycles and keep checking the kitchen paper for drips. Repair didn't go as planned? Ask our Answers community for help.
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