EN

Severity: Minor

Bosch Dishwasher Error E22 – Filter Blocked – Clean the Filter System

Bosch's own meaning: the filter is blocked. Water can't get back to the wash pump fast enough during the wash.

At a glance

Severity: 1/5 – Minor1/5

Severity: Minor

Meaning
Filter Blocked – Clean the Filter System
Typical repair cost
$0–$220
DIY difficulty
Very easy

E:22 is Bosch's filter warning, and unlike E:24 it is about the wash phase, not the drain. Wash water sprayed onto the dishes has to run back through the filter assembly into the sump, where the circulation pump picks it up again. When the mesh is coated with grease, starch or paper labels, the sump runs low, the pump starts to suck air and the control reacts with E:22. Bosch's own fix is simple: take out the filter, wash it with mild soap and a soft brush, and put it back correctly.

How it looks on the display

Bosch Dishwasher display showing error E22

Model families & display variants

Model familyShowsNote
100, 300 and 500 SeriesE:22Appears on the door-edge display. Some models also light a filter or service symbol.
800 Series and BenchmarkE:22Same code; the text display may add a hint to clean the filter.
Older display generationsE22Same meaning without the colon.
Newer models with two-part codestwo-part codeRecent generations may show a longer code in place of E:22; look it up in the table of your use and care manual.

Safety first · Consult a professional

Switch the dishwasher off before reaching into the sump. The filter edges and anything caught underneath can be sharp, so gloves are a good idea.

  • Unplug the appliance or switch off the breaker before opening any panel. Mains voltage can kill.

Symptoms

  • E:22 during the wash phase, often 10 to 30 minutes into the cycle
  • Gurgling or slurping noise from the bottom of the tub while washing
  • Gritty residue or small food bits left on glasses in the upper rack
  • Visible grease or a gray film on the filter mesh
  • The dishwasher still drains normally at the end of a cycle

Possible causes

Ranked by how often each cause is behind this code (editorial estimate).

  1. Grease and starch film coating the micro filter mesh 45%
  2. Paper labels, seeds or rice blocking the cylindrical filter 20%
  3. Filter not locked in place after the last cleaning 12%
  4. Excess foam from dish soap or too much rinse aid 10%
  5. Debris under the pump cover or in the sump 8%
  6. Low fill because of a partly closed water valve 5%

Fix it step by step

Diagnostic flow: E221Cancel and switch off2Clean every filter layer3Wipe out the sump4Check for foam5Confirm the water supply is fullyopen6Test with a full load

  1. Cancel and switch off

    Hold Start for about 3 seconds to cancel, then turn the dishwasher off with the power button. Pull the lower rack all the way out.

  2. Clean every filter layer

    Take out the cylinder and the flat micro filter. Many cylinders pull apart into a coarse and a fine part; wash each separately with warm soapy water and a soft brush.

    Tools: Soft brush, Gloves

  3. Wipe out the sump

    Look into the opening under the filter with a flashlight and pick out anything that doesn't belong, such as label paper, bones or glass. Wipe the grease ring off the sump walls.

    Tools: Flashlight, Gloves

  4. Check for foam

    If you see suds in the tub, someone may have used hand dish soap or the rinse aid dispenser is leaking. Wipe the suds out, pour in a cup of cold water, run Rinse and cancel after a few minutes.

    Tools: Towels & shallow pan

  5. Confirm the water supply is fully open

    Open the shutoff valve under the sink all the way. A partly closed valve makes the tub fill short, which starves the pump in the same way a blocked filter does.

    Tools: Flashlight

  6. Test with a full load

    Reassemble with the filter locked, run a normal load and stay nearby for the first half hour. No E:22 and a quiet sump means the fault is fixed.

How to reset E22

  1. Press and hold Start for about 3 seconds; the dishwasher pumps out and the display shows 0:01.
  2. Switch it off with the power button and back on after a few seconds.
  3. Start a program. With a clean, locked filter the code should not return.

Where the parts are

Dishwasher: filter, drain pump and sump – E22123456789
Dishwasher: filter, drain pump and sump
  1. 1Door lock
  2. 2Water inlet valve
  3. 3Filter
  4. 4Circulation pump
  5. 5Heating element
  6. 6Drain pump
  7. 7Float switch
  8. 8Temperature sensor
  9. 9Water level sensor

Repair options & costs

RepairDIY?Estimated cost
Clean and re-seat the filter system Yes $0
Dishwasher cleaner cycle to degrease the sump Yes $5–$15
Replacement filter assembly Yes $30–$70
Technician visit if the code persists No $120–$220

Rough US estimates; technician call-out fees vary by region. Not a quote.

When to call a technician

Book a technician only if E:22 keeps coming back with a spotless, locked filter, no foam and a fully open water valve. Then the circulation pump, the fill level sensing or a leaking sump seal needs a closer look from underneath.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between E:22 and E:24 on a Bosch?

E:22 shows up while washing: water can't get back through the filter to the wash pump. E:24 shows up while draining: water can't leave the machine. Filter cleaning helps both, but for E:24 you also check the drain hose and disposal.

My filter looks clean. Why do I still get E:22?

A grease film on the fine mesh is hard to see when wet. Wash it with dish soap and hold it against the light; if parts look cloudy, keep scrubbing. Also make sure it is turned until it locks.

Does Bosch have a self-cleaning filter?

No. Bosch uses a removable filter system that you rinse by hand. Checking it about once a month, and scraping plates before loading, prevents most E:22 codes.

Can hand dish soap cause E:22?

Yes. Dish soap makes a thick foam that the pump can't move, and the control reads it like a starved pump. Wipe out the suds and run a rinse with plain water before the next real cycle.

Sources