AEG dishwasher i23 error
Stop using the machine
The cover that seals the drain pump is loose, fitted incorrectly, or missing altogether, so the pump cannot build suction and the water stays where it is. The cover was lifted out during a filter clean and put back without being turned far enough to lock is the most common cause.
- Difficulty
- DIY
- Time needed
- About 20 min
- Checks
- 6 steps
Before you start
- Switch the appliance off and pull out the mains plug before opening the pump area. The manufacturer specifies this step first, and the impeller is driven directly by a mains motor.
- Do not run the machine with the pump cover missing. It is what stops debris reaching the impeller.
What it means
The cover that seals the drain pump is loose, fitted incorrectly, or missing altogether, so the pump cannot build suction and the water stays where it is.
Most likely causes
Ordered from most to least common, with what each one looks like:
| Cause | How likely | What you would see |
|---|---|---|
| The cover was lifted out during a filter clean and put back without being turned far enough to lock | high | Somebody cleaned the machine out shortly before the fault first appeared |
| The cover is seated the wrong way round, so it rests in place but never engages its catch | high | It sits flush but lifts away with no resistance at all |
| The cover was removed and mislaid, and the machine has been run without it | medium | There is an open recess beside the filter housing with the impeller visible in it |
| Grit trapped under the rim is holding the cover a fraction proud of its seat | low | It locks, but rocks very slightly when pressed at one edge |
Fix steps
Tools needed
- Shallow jug
- Cloth
- Torch
-
Turn the appliance off and withdraw the plug from the wall before anything else. This is the manufacturer's own instruction for this repair and it matters, because your hand is about to go next to an impeller.
Expected result The panel is dead and the motor cannot be commanded to turn.
-
Bail out whatever water is lying in the bottom until you can see the floor of the tub clearly.
Expected result The filter housing and the recess beside it are exposed and dry enough to inspect.
-
Take out the filters and study how the pump cover sits, noting its orientation and which way its catch runs before you disturb it.
Expected result You can see whether the cover is absent, upside down, or simply not turned home.
-
If the cover is missing, look for it in the cutlery basket, under the lower rack and in the cupboard where the filters were last washed, since it is rarely far away.
Expected result The cover turns up intact, or you establish that a replacement is needed before the machine can be used again.
-
Wipe grit off the seat and the underside of the cover, drop it into place the correct way round, and turn it until the catch takes hold.
Expected result The cover no longer lifts freely and sits level with no rock at any edge.
-
Put the filters back, lock them, reconnect the power and run a rinse programme through to the end.
Expected result Water leaves the tub properly and the fault does not come back.
Parts needed
| Part | Part number | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Drain pump cover | Varies by model | Varies by supplier |
When to call a technician
Call a qualified technician if you work through every step above and the code comes back, if you find water where it should not be, or if any part of the job needs the machine powered up with panels removed. A repeat fault after a correct repair usually points at the control board rather than the part you replaced.
Common questions
What does i23 mean on a AEG dishwasher?
The cover that seals the drain pump is loose, fitted incorrectly, or missing altogether, so the pump cannot build suction and the water stays where it is. The cover was lifted out during a filter clean and put back without being turned far enough to lock is the most common reason for it.
Can I keep using the dishwasher?
No. Stop using the machine until the fault is resolved, because running it in this state risks further damage or a water leak.
Is this something I can fix myself?
Yes, for most people. The checks below need shallow jug, cloth and torch and take about 20 minutes.
Models this applies to
Related codes on the same machines
- i10 The machine asked for water and not enough arrived, so it stopped rather than starting a wash with an empty tub.
- i20 The machine has tried to empty itself and the water has not gone, so it has stopped with dirty water still standing in the base.
- i24 Something solid has reached the drain pump and is stopping the impeller turning.
- i30 The anti-flood device in the base of the machine has been triggered by water where there should not be any.
- i40 The appliance cannot get a trustworthy reading of how much water is inside it, so it halts rather than guessing and either running dry or overfilling.
- i50 The motor that drives water up to the spray arms is not behaving as the control board expects, so the wash is abandoned.
Sources
- Electrolux Group (AEG), AEG support, dishwasher error code i23, not draining (link) — retrieved 2026-07-26