EN

Severity: Moderate

Bosch Dishwasher Error E23 – Drain Pump Fault Detected

The control sees a fault in the drain pump itself, usually a failed motor or wiring rather than a clog.

At a glance

Severity: 3/5 – Moderate3/5

Severity: Moderate

Meaning
Drain Pump Fault Detected
Typical repair cost
$0–$600
DIY difficulty
Hard

E:23 is Bosch's drain pump fault. The official guidance lists a blocked, clogged or faulty drain pump and sends owners to service, which reflects how the code differs from E:24 and E:25: those point to a restricted drain path or a jammed impeller you can clear by hand, while E:23 means the control board has judged the pump motor itself not to be working correctly. The Bosch drain pump is a small synchronous motor mounted to the sump under the tub; when its winding opens, its bearings seize or its connector corrodes, it may hum, click once or stay silent. A quick look under the pump cover is still worthwhile, but most E:23 cases end with a new pump.

How it looks on the display

Bosch Dishwasher display showing error E23

Model families & display variants

Model familyShowsNote
100, 300 and 500 SeriesE:23Shown on the top-of-door display; on some models the faucet symbol lights too.
800 Series and BenchmarkE:23Same code and same style of drain pump under the sump.
Older Bosch modelsE23No colon; meaning unchanged.

Safety first · Consult a professional

Turn off the breaker before touching the pump area or pulling the unit out; the pump runs on line voltage. Standing water in the tub may be dirty and can hide broken glass, so wear gloves.

  • Unplug the appliance or switch off the breaker before opening any panel. Mains voltage can kill.
  • Water and electricity: unplug first, keep towels ready and never stand in water while the appliance is connected.

Symptoms

  • E:23 and dirty water left in the bottom of the tub
  • Drain pump hums, clicks once or makes no sound at all during drain
  • Code appears at the first drain of a cycle, not only at the end
  • Sometimes shows up together with or after E:24
  • Burnt or hot-electrical smell from under the unit in rare cases

Possible causes

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

  1. Drain pump motor failed (open winding or seized bearing) 35%
  2. Hard blockage that stalls the impeller, such as a glass shard or bone 20%
  3. Corroded or loose connector at the pump, often after an earlier leak 15%
  4. Pump drive circuit on the control or power module failed 15%
  5. Impeller broken off its shaft 10%
  6. Dried grease and food residue glued the rotor after weeks of non-use 5%

Fix it step by step

Diagnostic flow: E231Cancel and power down2Quick check under the pump cover3Listen during a drain4Measure the pump (experiencedDIYers)5Check the connector6Decide on the repair

  1. Cancel and power down

    Hold Start for about 3 seconds, then switch off the breaker. If the pump can't run, the tub won't empty, so bail out the water with a cup and towels before going further.

    Tools: Towels & shallow pan, Gloves

  2. Quick check under the pump cover

    Remove the filters, pop off the small pump cover with a spoon handle and clear anything in the chamber. If you find a big shard or bone wedged against the impeller, removing it may clear E:23; if the chamber is empty, the fault is electrical or mechanical inside the pump.

    Tools: Flashlight, Gloves

  3. Listen during a drain

    Restore power and hold Start for 3 seconds to force a drain. A healthy pump whirs and you hear water in the drain line; a steady hum means a stalled rotor, silence means no power to the motor or an open winding.

  4. Measure the pump (experienced DIYers)

    With the breaker off, pull the unit out, lay it on its back on a blanket and unplug the pump. Measure across its two terminals: a reading of OL (open) or close to zero ohms confirms a bad pump. Compare anything in between with the value in the service documentation.

    Tools: Multimeter, Screwdriver

  5. Check the connector

    While the pump is exposed, look at its connector and the wiring for green corrosion, melted plastic or water marks. A pump that measures fine but has a scorched connector needs the harness repaired as well.

    Tools: Flashlight

  6. Decide on the repair

    A failed pump is replaced as a unit; it twists or clips out of the sump from below. If the pump measures good and the connector is clean, the drive circuit on the control is the next suspect and belongs with a technician.

How to reset E23

  1. Press and hold Start for about 3 seconds to cancel and attempt a drain.
  2. Switch off the breaker for 30 seconds and restore power.
  3. Run Rinse Only; if the tub empties and E:23 stays away, keep an eye on the next few cycles.

Where the parts are

Dishwasher: filter, drain pump and sump – E23123456789
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
Clear a hard blockage from the pump chamber Yes $0
Drain pump part (DIY install) Yes $60–$130
Drain pump replaced by a technician No $220–$400
Repair pump wiring/connector No $150–$280
Replace control/power module No $350–$600

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

When to call a technician

Bosch treats E:23 as a service code, so call a technician if the pump chamber is clear and the code returns after a power reset. That is also the right move if you aren't comfortable pulling the dishwasher out of its cabinet and laying it on its back to reach the pump.

Frequently asked questions

How is E23 different from E24 and E25?

E:24 means water isn't leaving fast enough, usually because of the hose, air gap or disposal connection. E:25 means the impeller is blocked or the cover is loose. E:23 means the board thinks the pump itself isn't working, which usually needs a new pump.

Could the garbage disposal cause E23?

A new disposal with its knockout plug still in place stops draining, but that normally shows as E:24. If you just installed a disposal, check the plug anyway before replacing the pump.

Can I replace the drain pump myself?

Many handy owners do. The unit has to come out of the cabinet and be laid on its back, then the pump is unplugged and released from the sump. Have towels ready, because water remains in the sump.

Why did E23 appear after we were away for a few weeks?

Food residue left in the sump can dry and glue the pump rotor. Pour a few cups of hot water into the sump, wait half an hour and force a drain; if it still hums, the pump needs service.

Sources