How do I clean the Bosch dishwasher pump impeller to fix E25?

After removing the filters, you will see the pump cover in the base of the dishwasher — on most Bosch models it is a plastic cover with two tabs or a single screw. Remove it to expose the impeller (a small plastic fan blade). Remove any debris — glass fragments, seeds, broken plastic — from around and between the impeller blades. Rotate the impeller by hand to confirm it spins freely.

Can a blocked drain hose cause E25 on a Bosch dishwasher?

Yes. If the filter and impeller are both clean and E25 persists, the drain hose is the next item to check. Pull the dishwasher forward and inspect the hose at both ends — at the pump outlet and at the sink drain connection. Check that the drain hose forms a high loop (above the drain connection point) to prevent back-siphoning. Also check the air gap if your installation includes one.

Bosch Dishwasher E25 Error Code — Causes & Fix (2026)

E25 Error — Quick Summary

E25 means: Drain blocked — dishwasher cannot pump water out
Cause 1 (most common): Clogged filter assembly in the base of the tub
Cause 2: Debris jammed in the pump impeller (glass, seeds, food)
Cause 3: Blocked or improperly routed drain hose
Cause 4 (least common): Failed drain pump motor
Repair cost if pump needed: $150–$350 | $89 diagnostic waived with repair

The E25 error code on a Bosch dishwasher means the drain pump cannot remove water from the tub — the drain is blocked. Bosch dishwashers are generally reliable machines, but E25 is one of their most frequent error codes because the drain path (filter, impeller, and hose) accumulates debris from normal use. In most cases this is a DIY fix that requires no tools and takes about 10–15 minutes.

What Does E25 Mean on a Bosch Dishwasher?

E25 specifically indicates a drain pump blockage or restriction. The dishwasher's control board monitors the pump's ability to lower the water level within a set time. When the water level does not drop as expected, the board stops the cycle and displays E25. Unlike some error codes that point to component failures, E25 almost always has a mechanical cause — something is physically blocking the drain path.

E25 is different from E24, which also indicates a drain fault but is more likely to be caused by a drain hose installation issue. E25 specifically points to the filter or pump impeller area first.

Step-by-Step Fix for Bosch Dishwasher E25

Cancel the program and remove standing water

Press and hold the Start button for 3–5 seconds to cancel the current cycle. Open the dishwasher door. If there is standing water in the tub, use a cup or sponge to remove as much as possible before accessing the filter — this makes the process much cleaner. Lay old towels around the base of the dishwasher.

Remove and clean the filter assembly

Remove the lower dish rack. In the bottom of the tub you will find Bosch's two-part filter system: a cylindrical filter (which twists out counterclockwise) sitting in a flat mesh filter plate. Remove the cylindrical filter first, then lift out the flat mesh plate. Rinse both under warm running water. Use a soft brush (an old toothbrush works well) to scrub grease and food particles from the mesh. Do not use abrasive scrubbers — they can damage the mesh.

Clean the pump impeller

With the filters removed, look into the filter housing at the base of the tub. You will see the pump cover — a plastic disc with two tabs (push down and turn) or a single screw. Remove the pump cover to expose the impeller blades. This is the most important step for E25: remove any debris from around and between the blades. Common culprits include small pieces of broken glass, olive pits, cherry pits, toothpicks, food labels, and broken plastic utensil pieces. Turn the impeller by hand — it must spin freely with no resistance.

Reinstall filters and test

Replace the pump cover, then reinstall the flat mesh filter and the cylindrical filter. The cylindrical filter should click into the locked position when turned clockwise. Run a short cycle (Quick Wash or Rinse) and observe whether the dishwasher drains normally at the end. If E25 does not reappear, the job is done.

If E25 returns — check the drain hose

If the filter and impeller are clean and E25 persists, check the drain hose. On most installations the dishwasher connects to the drain under the kitchen sink. Pull the dishwasher forward slightly (it is held by two screws into the underside of the counter). Inspect the drain hose for kinks. Check that the hose forms a high loop — the top of the loop should be as high as possible under the counter before descending to the drain connection. A low-hanging hose can siphon water back into the tub. Also check the connection at the sink drain or garbage disposal for a blockage.

Check the air gap (if installed)

Some installations include an air gap — a chrome fitting on the countertop or sink. Unscrew the top of the air gap and check for debris build-up inside. Clean it out with a small brush. A blocked air gap will prevent proper draining even with a clear hose and pump.

Broken glass warning: When cleaning the Bosch pump impeller, always feel carefully with your finger before reaching in — small glass fragments are a common cause of E25 and can cause cuts. If you suspect broken glass, wear rubber gloves and use needle-nose pliers to remove fragments rather than reaching in bare-handed.

E25 vs E24 — What's the Difference?

Bosch uses both E24 and E25 for drain-related errors, and they are easy to confuse:

E24 — Drain hose or drain path issue (often a kinked hose or blocked sink drain). Start your troubleshooting at the hose and sink connection.
E25 — Drain pump blocked at the filter or impeller level. Start with the filter and impeller cleaning described above.

In practice, the two codes can be triggered by overlapping causes, so if you have E25 it is worth checking both the impeller area and the drain hose. Many E25 cases are resolved by the impeller cleaning alone.

When to Call a Certified Technician for E25

E25 returns after thorough filter cleaning, impeller cleaning, and hose inspection
The impeller cannot be turned by hand even after removing all visible debris — the pump motor may have seized
Water is not draining at all and there is no debris visible — the pump motor has likely failed
You hear a humming sound but no water movement during the drain cycle — pump impeller has seized internally
There is visible corrosion, cracks, or water staining around the pump housing — a seal has failed

Frequently Asked Questions — Bosch Dishwasher E25

E25 on a Bosch dishwasher means the drain is blocked or the drain pump cannot pump water out. The most common causes are a clogged filter assembly, a jammed pump impeller (often from a small piece of broken glass, a cherry pit, or food debris), or a blocked drain hose.

Remove the lower rack. Turn the cylindrical filter counterclockwise and lift it out, then lift out the flat mesh filter beneath it. Rinse both filters under warm running water, using a soft brush to remove grease and food particles. Inspect the filter housing in the base of the dishwasher for debris before reinstalling.

After removing the filters, remove the pump cover in the base of the dishwasher (two tabs or one screw). This exposes the impeller. Remove any debris — glass fragments, seeds, broken plastic — from around and between the impeller blades. Rotate the impeller by hand to confirm it spins freely before reassembling.

Yes. If the filter and impeller are both clean and E25 persists, check the drain hose for kinks and confirm it forms a high loop under the counter. Also check the sink drain connection and air gap (if installed) for blockages. A low-hanging hose can cause siphoning that mimics a drain fault.

No. E25 indicates a physical blockage or pump fault that will not clear on its own. You need to clean the filter and impeller, check the drain hose, and if those steps do not resolve it, have the drain pump motor tested by a technician.

After clearing the blockage, press and hold the Start button for 3–5 seconds to cancel the current program. The E25 code should clear. Select a new short wash program to confirm draining is working normally. If E25 appears again, there is still a restriction or the pump motor has failed.

If the fix is cleaning the filter and impeller, there is no cost beyond your time. If the drain pump motor has failed, professional repair in Toronto and the GTA typically costs $150–$350. Nick's Appliance Repair charges an $89 diagnostic fee waived with repair, plus $40 OFF any repair right now.