E23Bosch · Dishwasher · Dishwasher

Bosch Dishwasher error code E23

Drain pump blocked, clogged, or faulty

Needs attention soon

Quick answer

On Bosch Dishwasher (2000s onward), E23 is a fault. It means drain pump blocked, clogged, or faulty. A first thing to check: Pump impeller jammed by glass, a nut, or a stone.

Applies to: Bosch Dishwasher; Bosch dishwasher codes · Dishwasher · 2000s onward
Type of code: Fault; Urgency: Needs attention soon
First safe check: Check the filter and the sump first. A debris-jammed impeller is the most common cause by a wide margin.

Checked 2026-09-26

What E23 means on this model

The drain pump is not moving water, and Bosch lists all three possibilities in one line because the symptom is the same. A blocked filter and debris in the pump housing are checked before the pump itself is condemned.

Symptoms you will notice

Code appears partway through a wash or at the start of the drain step
Water remains in the bottom of the tub
Pump makes a hum or a clicking noise without moving water
Cycle will not restart the drain step

Common causes

The code tells you what the control detected, not which part failed. These are the causes we see most often, roughly in order of likelihood:

Pump impeller jammed by glass, a nut, or a stone
Drain hose blocked, kinked, or the air gap closed
Garbage disposal knockout plug still fitted to the disposal port, which is a fit-and-forget omission
Pump winding or its drive module failed
Drain solenoid failed and never energised the pump
Slow household drain backing up through the hose

What you can safely check

These are homeowner-level checks. None of them need you to open a live electrical compartment or work on gas.

Check the filter and the sump first. A debris-jammed impeller is the most common cause by a wide margin.
Confirm the garbage disposal knockout plug was removed at installation, if the machine drains through a disposal.
Follow the drain hose to the standpipe and check it is clear and not sealed.
Listen for the pump running. A hum with no water moving points at the impeller; silence points at the circuit.

Do not do these

×Do not pour boiling water into the pump housing. The impeller is often plastic and will deform.
×Do not assume the pump is the problem because water is left in the tub. A blocked hose behaves the same way.

When to call a technician

Book a technician, do not keep resetting it

This fault will not clear on its own. Every power cycle gives the control one more failed attempt, and repeated attempts are what turn a cheap part replacement into a seized or contaminated system.

If the appliance has stopped mid-cycle, is making a noise you have not heard before, or smells burnt, stop reading here and call. Those are symptoms of something the fault code does not describe well enough.

Clearing debris and checking the hose are owner jobs. A pump replacement means tipping the machine and working in the base, which is moderate work for a careful person.

What it costs to fix

Parts

Drain pump $60 to $160. Drain solenoid $25 to $70. Drain hose $10 to $25.

Labor

One and a half to two and a half hours depending on access to the sump.

DIY or technician