Bosch dishwasher E22 error
Usable, but not working properly
The filters in the base of the tub are blocked enough to starve the circulation pump, or the filter assembly is not locked into place, so the machine cannot move water round the wash arms properly. The coarse filter is packed with food waste, labels, seeds and grease after a long period without cleaning is the most common cause.
- Difficulty
- DIY
- Time needed
- About 20 min
- Checks
- 6 steps
The same fault is shown as E9240, E:92-40 on some Bosch series, depending on the display and the model year.
Before you start
- Broken glass collects in the sump under the filters. Wear gloves and sweep with a torch rather than feeling blindly with bare fingers.
What it means
The filters in the base of the tub are blocked enough to starve the circulation pump, or the filter assembly is not locked into place, so the machine cannot move water round the wash arms properly.
Most likely causes
Ordered from most to least common, with what each one looks like:
| Cause | How likely | What you would see |
|---|---|---|
| The coarse filter is packed with food waste, labels, seeds and grease after a long period without cleaning | high | Lifting the filter out shows a visible mat of debris across the mesh |
| The filter assembly was refitted after cleaning but not twisted round to its locked position, so water bypasses the mesh | high | The filter turns freely and lifts straight out without needing a twist |
| Grease has set into the fine mesh, which stays blocked even though the visible debris has been rinsed off | medium | The mesh looks clean but water poured onto it sits and pools instead of running straight through |
| A broken piece of glass or crockery is lodged flat against the filter and sealing it off | low | Something rigid is felt under the filter when the sump is swept with a fingertip |
Fix steps
Tools needed
- Washing-up brush
- Torch
- Gloves
-
Switch the machine off at the socket, open the door and let the tub cool if it has just finished a hot cycle.
Expected result The tub is cool enough to reach into and the machine cannot restart while you work.
-
Twist the cylindrical filter anticlockwise and lift the whole assembly out, then separate the coarse cup from the flat fine mesh underneath.
Expected result The assembly comes apart into two pieces and you can see through both of them when held up to the light. If it does not, go to step 3.
-
Wash both parts under a hot running tap with a washing-up brush, using a little detergent to cut the grease rather than only rinsing them.
Expected result Water runs freely through the mesh from both sides with no pooling. If it does not, go to step 4.
-
Sweep the empty sump with a gloved fingertip and a torch, lifting out any glass, cherry stones or bone fragments sitting in the recess.
Expected result The sump is empty and nothing rigid remains around the pump opening.
-
Refit the fine mesh flat, drop the coarse filter in on top and twist it clockwise until it stops firmly against the tub floor.
Expected result The filter no longer lifts out without twisting, which is what tells you it is locked.
-
Restore power and run a hot programme with the machine empty and a dishwasher cleaner or a cup of white vinegar in the tub.
Expected result The cycle completes without the code returning and the wash arms sound like they are spinning freely.
Parts needed
| Part | Part number | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Filter assembly, coarse and fine | 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 E22 mean on a Bosch dishwasher?
The filters in the base of the tub are blocked enough to starve the circulation pump, or the filter assembly is not locked into place, so the machine cannot move water round the wash arms properly. The coarse filter is packed with food waste, labels, seeds and grease after a long period without cleaning is the most common reason for it.
Can I keep using the dishwasher?
You can usually still run the machine, but it will not be working correctly and the fault will keep coming back until it is fixed.
Is this something I can fix myself?
Yes, for most people. The checks below need washing-up brush, torch and gloves and take about 20 minutes.
Models this applies to
- SMS All codes for this model
- SMV All codes for this model
- SMI All codes for this model
- SHP All codes for this model
- SHE All codes for this model
Related codes on the same machines
- E12 Limescale and grease have built up on the heating surfaces to the point where the machine reports that it needs descaling before it can heat water reliably.
- E15 Water has collected in the tray underneath the dishwasher and a float in that tray has tripped the leak protection system, which shuts the machine down and runs the drain pump to keep the leak from spreading.
- E18 The machine asked for water and not enough arrived in the time it allows, so it stopped the cycle rather than washing without a proper fill.
- E21 The circulation pump that drives water up to the spray arms is reported as blocked, so the machine stops rather than running the motor against an obstruction.
- E23 The machine has detected a fault in the waste water pump circuit.
- E24 The dishwasher tried to pump the water out and the level in the tub did not drop, so it stopped mid-cycle with dirty water still standing in the bottom.