Bosch dishwasher E25 error
Stop using the machine
The drain pump is jammed or its cover is not seated, so the impeller cannot turn and the machine stops rather than burning the motor out trying. A fragment of glass, a fruit stone, a bottle cap or a piece of bone has worked through the filter and jammed the impeller is the most common cause.
- Difficulty
- Some experience
- Time needed
- About 35 min
- Checks
- 7 steps
The same fault is shown as E6102, E:61-02 on some Bosch series, depending on the display and the model year.
Before you start
- Isolate the machine at the socket before putting a hand into the pump chamber. The impeller is driven by a mains motor and its edges are sharp.
- Broken glass is the single most common thing found in this chamber. Wear cut-resistant gloves and use a torch rather than feeling for the obstruction.
What it means
The drain pump is jammed or its cover is not seated, so the impeller cannot turn and the machine stops rather than burning the motor out trying.
Most likely causes
Ordered from most to least common, with what each one looks like:
| Cause | How likely | What you would see |
|---|---|---|
| A fragment of glass, a fruit stone, a bottle cap or a piece of bone has worked through the filter and jammed the impeller | high | The pump makes a brief grinding or straining noise at the point in the cycle where it should drain |
| The pump cover was left loose or refitted the wrong way round after the filters were cleaned | high | The fault started on the very next cycle after someone cleaned the machine out |
| A build-up of fibrous debris such as kitchen roll or vegetable peel has wound itself round the impeller shaft | medium | The impeller can be turned by hand but feels stiff and springs back rather than spinning freely |
| The pump motor itself has failed after the impeller was jammed for a long period | low | The impeller is completely clear and turns freely, yet the code returns immediately on a rinse cycle |
Fix steps
Tools needed
- Gloves
- Torch
- Shallow jug
-
Switch the dishwasher off at the socket or fused spur. Do not rely on the on/off button, because the pump can be driven under programme control.
Expected result The display is dark and the machine cannot start while your hand is inside the sump.
-
Bail out any standing water with a jug and sponge until the sump is dry.
Expected result The base of the tub is empty and the filter assembly is fully visible.
-
Twist out the filter assembly, then lift off the pump cover next to it, noting which way round it sits before it comes away.
Expected result The impeller and the pump chamber underneath are exposed.
-
Wearing gloves, lift out every fragment you can see in the pump chamber, then turn the impeller a full revolution by hand with a fingertip.
Expected result The impeller spins through a complete turn smoothly with no grinding and nothing rattling loose in the chamber. If it does not, go to step 6.
-
Refit the pump cover the correct way round and press until it clicks, then twist the filter assembly back in until it locks.
Expected result Neither the cover nor the filter lifts out without being released deliberately.
-
Restore power, cancel the stored programme and run the shortest rinse cycle while listening at the front of the machine.
Expected result The pump runs smoothly for around a minute, the tub empties and the code does not return. If it does not, go to step 7.
-
If the impeller was already clear and the code returns on a rinse, stop and book an engineer for a drain pump replacement rather than running it repeatedly.
Expected result The engineer arrives expecting a pump fault and can test the winding and the wiring to it.
Parts needed
| Part | Part number | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Drain pump | Varies by model | Varies by supplier |
| 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 E25 mean on a Bosch dishwasher?
The drain pump is jammed or its cover is not seated, so the impeller cannot turn and the machine stops rather than burning the motor out trying. A fragment of glass, a fruit stone, a bottle cap or a piece of bone has worked through the filter and jammed the impeller 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?
Partly. The first checks are straightforward, but the later ones need gloves, torch and shallow jug and some confidence taking panels off. Budget about 35 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.
- E22 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.
- E23 The machine has detected a fault in the waste water pump circuit.