Bosch Dishwasher Error Codes: E15, E24, E22, E09 and What They Mean
From LA appliance technicians: a plain-English reference for the Bosch error codes you'll actually see, plus the step-by-step E15 fix.
How Bosch error codes work
When a Bosch dishwasher detects a fault, it stops the cycle and shows an “E” code on the display (or, on display-less models, blinks a light pattern). The code is a diagnosis, not a death sentence — many point to maintenance issues like a dirty filter or a trapped puddle, not a failed part.
The codes below are the ones our Westside LA technicians get called about most. Start with the DIY checks; about half of E15, E22, and E24 calls are resolvable without replacing anything. For codes that need a tech, see our Bosch appliance repair and dishwasher repair pages.
Code → meaning → cause → DIY check
| Code | Meaning | Most common cause | DIY check | DIY-fixable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E15 | Water in the base pan; Aquastop leak protection tripped | Small leak or condensation pooling under the tub; float switch raised | Tip unit back to drain pan, dry the float, find the leak | Often yes |
| E22 | Clogged filter / blocked sump | Food debris, grease, glass jamming the filter or impeller | Remove and clean filter + sump | Usually yes |
| E24 | Drain fault | Blocked/kinked drain hose, clogged filter, disposal plug not removed | Clear hose, clean filter, check high loop | Often yes |
| E09 | Heating element failure | Flow-through heater burned out | None — diagnostic confirms | No (technician) |
| E18 | Drain pump or water-inlet fault | Closed supply valve, scaled inlet screen, failing drain pump | Open supply valve, check inlet screen | Sometimes |
E15: the fix, step by step
E15 is the most-searched Bosch code, and it’s confusing because the dishwasher seems “stuck” — the drain pump runs nonstop and no cycle will start. Here’s what’s happening and how to clear it.
Why it happens: Bosch puts a shallow plastic base pan under the tub with a small polystyrene float and a microswitch — the Aquastop leak-protection system. If any water reaches the pan (from a minor leak or even heavy condensation), the float rises, trips the switch, shuts the water inlet, and runs the drain pump continuously to protect your floor.
The fix:
- Cut power and water. Unplug the dishwasher or switch off its breaker, and close the supply valve under the sink.
- Pull the unit out far enough to tilt it. Lay a towel or shallow tray in front.
- Tip it back ~45 degrees. Lean the dishwasher backward over the towel so the water in the base pan drains out the front. You’ll often see a surprising amount come out. Hold it for 20–30 seconds until it stops dripping.
- Set it upright and dry the float. Remove the lower kick plate. Find the white polystyrene float in the base pan and dry it and the area around it with a cloth so the microswitch resets to its down position.
- Find the leak source. While you’re in there, inspect the most common culprits: the door gasket, hose clamps on the sump, the sump seal, and (on Bosch units) the salt-reservoir cap, which cracks and weeps over time.
- Restore power and run a short cycle. Watch the base pan. If it stays dry, E15 clears. If water returns, you have an active leak — that’s a technician job.
If you tip-and-dry the unit and the code comes right back without new water, the float switch itself may be stuck or failed.
Filter cleaning: the maintenance that prevents most codes
A dirty filter is behind a large share of E22 and E24 errors, and a clean filter is the single best way to keep Bosch error codes from appearing. Do this monthly:
- Pull the lower rack and locate the cylindrical filter assembly in the floor of the tub.
- Twist counterclockwise and lift out the filter (Bosch filters are a two-piece micro-filter plus coarse filter).
- Rinse under running water. Scrub away food, grease, and labels with a soft brush. Pick out glass shards and seeds.
- Clear the sump — the recess under the filter where the drain-pump impeller sits. Wipe out debris and check the impeller isn’t jammed by a foreign object.
- Reinstall and lock the filter (twist clockwise until it seats; a loose filter lets debris bypass it).
While you’re there, check the spray-arm holes for LA hard-water scale and run an empty vinegar cycle every few months. Hard water also scales the inlet screen, a contributor to E18.
Repair cost reference (Los Angeles)
When a code is a real component failure, here’s what Bosch dishwasher repair typically runs with Epic Star:
| Part / repair | Typical cost | Common code |
|---|---|---|
| Drain pump | $200–$400 | E18, E24 |
| Heating element | $250–$450 | E09 |
| Control board | $300–$550 | erratic / multiple codes |
| Aquastop inlet valve | $220–$380 | E15 (active leak), E18 |
Filter and base-pan cleaning for E15, E22, and E24 is frequently resolved on a single visit. Our $85 service call is waived when you proceed with the repair, 70% of jobs are completed same-day, and every repair carries a 30-day labor warranty.
When to stop DIYing and call us
- E15 keeps returning with fresh water — you have an active leak that needs tracing (door seal, sump, Aquastop valve).
- E09 — heating element replacement is integrated into the pump housing on modern Bosch units; not a DIY part.
- Multiple or erratic codes — often a control-board issue.
- E18 with the supply valve fully open and inlet screen clear — likely the drain pump or flow meter.
Epic Star Inc is a California BEAR-registered (#A 50636), EPA Section 608 Universal certified, $1M-insured appliance repair company serving Westside LA and the Valley. Founded 2024, 1,143+ repairs completed, bilingual service.
Call (213) 205-2055
Or text a photo of your Bosch dishwasher with the error code and the model number visible (the model sticker is on the inner edge of the door).
FAQ
What does E15 mean on a Bosch dishwasher?
E15 means water has collected in the base pan under the tub, which triggers Bosch's Aquastop leak protection. A polystyrene float in the base rises with the water and trips a microswitch, shutting off the inlet and locking the dishwasher into a constant drain state — you'll hear the drain pump run continuously and the cycle won't start. The water is usually a small leak (door seal, hose clamp, or sump gasket) or condensation. To clear it: turn off power, tip the dishwasher back about 45 degrees to drain the pan, dry the float area, find and fix the leak source, then restore power. E15 is the single most common Bosch code we get calls about.
How do I fix the E15 error myself?
Disconnect power and water. Pull the dishwasher out and tip it backward roughly 45 degrees over a towel or shallow tray so the water in the base pan drains out the front. Set it upright, remove the kick plate, and dry the white polystyrene float switch in the base so the microswitch resets. Inspect for the leak source — door gasket, hose clamps, the sump seal, or a cracked salt reservoir cap. Run a short cycle and watch for new water. If water returns, you have an active leak that needs a technician. If it stays dry, the code clears.
What does E24 mean on a Bosch dishwasher?
E24 is a drainage fault — the dishwasher can't pump water out fast enough. The most common cause is a clogged filter at the bottom of the tub or a blocked, kinked, or improperly installed drain hose. Check that the drain hose isn't crushed behind the unit and that the high loop or air gap is clear. Clean the filter and the sump, and verify the garbage-disposal knockout plug was removed if the dishwasher drains into a new disposal. E24 and E22 are closely related and often clear with the same filter cleaning.
What does E22 mean on a Bosch dishwasher?
E22 indicates a clogged or blocked filter and sump, so water sits in the bottom of the tub and won't drain. Remove the cylindrical filter assembly at the base of the tub, rinse out food debris, glass, and grease, and clear the sump area underneath where the drain pump impeller sits. Check for foreign objects (a seed, toothpick, or glass shard) jamming the impeller. E22 is one of the most DIY-fixable Bosch codes — a thorough filter and sump cleaning resolves the majority of cases.
What does E09 mean on a Bosch dishwasher?
E09 means the heating element (flow-through heater) has failed, so the water never reaches wash or dry temperature. Symptoms: dishes come out cold and wet, detergent doesn't dissolve, and there's no drying at the end of the cycle. The flow-through heater is integrated into the pump housing on most modern Bosch models, so it isn't a simple bolt-out part — replacement typically runs $250–$450 installed and is a technician job. E09 is not something filter cleaning fixes.
What does E18 mean on a Bosch dishwasher?
E18 points to a water-flow problem — usually the drain pump or the water-inlet side. The dishwasher either isn't getting enough incoming water or can't move it through properly. Check that the water supply valve under the sink is fully open, the inlet hose isn't kinked, and the inlet screen filter isn't scaled over (common with LA hard water). If supply is fine, the drain pump or flow meter may be failing, which is a technician repair ($200–$400 for the drain pump).
Are Bosch error codes always a real failure?
No. Codes like E15, E22, and E24 are frequently caused by maintenance issues — a dirty filter, a small puddle of condensation in the base pan, a kinked drain hose, or a tripped Aquastop float — rather than a broken part. These are often DIY-fixable. Codes like E09 (heating element) and an Aquastop valve failure on the inlet are genuine component failures that need professional replacement. Cleaning the filter monthly prevents a large share of Bosch error codes from ever appearing.
How much does Bosch dishwasher repair cost in Los Angeles?
Typical Epic Star ranges: drain pump $200–$400, heating element $250–$450, control board $300–$550, Aquastop inlet valve $220–$380. Filter and base-pan cleaning for E15/E22/E24 is often resolvable on a single service visit. Our $85 service call is waived with a completed repair, 70% of jobs are same-day, and all work carries a 30-day labor warranty. Call (213) 205-2055.
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