EN

Severity: Low

Bosch Dishwasher Error E25 – Drain Pump Blocked or Pump Cover Loose

Something is jamming the Bosch drain pump, or the pump cover under the filter isn't seated. Often a DIY fix.

At a glance

Severity: 2/5 – Low2/5

Severity: Low

Meaning
Drain Pump Blocked or Pump Cover Loose
Typical repair cost
$0–$420
DIY difficulty
Easy

E:25 means the drain pump can't move water because its impeller is obstructed. On Bosch dishwashers the pump sits directly under a small snap-in cover in the sump, and anything that slips past the filters ends up right there: glass shards, fruit pits, jar labels, toothpicks, bits of bone. The code also appears when that cover was removed for cleaning and not pressed back until it clicked. Clearing the chamber by hand solves the problem in most cases; a pump with a broken impeller is the exception.

How it looks on the display

Bosch Dishwasher display showing error E25

Model families & display variants

Model familyShowsNote
100, 300 and 500 SeriesE:25Shown on the display at the top of the door. The faucet symbol may flash as well.
800 Series and BenchmarkE:25Same meaning. These models often have a finer micro filter, so debris at the pump points to a filter that was not seated.
Older Bosch modelsE25No colon in the code; the pump cover procedure is essentially the same.

Safety first · Consult a professional

Unplug the unit or turn off the breaker before opening the pump cover, and wear cut-resistant gloves: the pump chamber is where broken glass ends up. Never test the impeller with bare fingers while the dishwasher has power.

  • 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:25 on the door-edge display, cycle stopped
  • Water standing in the tub floor
  • Rattling, grinding or crunching sound from the bottom during draining
  • Pump hums briefly and then goes quiet
  • Code came back right after you cleaned the filters

Possible causes

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

  1. Foreign object in the pump chamber (glass, pits, seeds, labels, toothpicks) 45%
  2. Pump cover not clicked back into place after cleaning 20%
  3. Filter missing, cracked or fitted wrong, letting debris reach the pump 10%
  4. Thick grease and food paste packed around the impeller 10%
  5. Broken impeller or seized drain pump 10%
  6. Blockage right at the pump outlet into the drain hose 5%

Fix it step by step

Diagnostic flow: E251Power off and bail the water2Lift out the filters3Remove the pump cover with a spoon4Clear the pump chamber5Check that the impeller turns6Refit cover and filters7Run a test

  1. Power off and bail the water

    Cancel by holding Start for 3 seconds, then unplug the dishwasher or turn off its breaker. Remove the lower rack and scoop out the standing water until the sump is visible.

    Tools: Towels & shallow pan, Gloves

  2. Lift out the filters

    Turn the round filter counterclockwise and lift it out, then pull out the flat filter plate. Look at the filters for cracks: a damaged filter explains why debris reached the pump.

    Tools: Gloves

  3. Remove the pump cover with a spoon

    Slide a teaspoon handle under the tab of the small white or gray cover, lever it down until the cover pops up, then pull it toward you and out. Don't pry at the edges with a knife; the cover is thin plastic.

    Tools: Gloves

  4. Clear the pump chamber

    Shine a flashlight into the opening and pick out everything you find. Glass slivers hide in the corners, so run a gloved fingertip carefully around the edge.

    Tools: Flashlight, Gloves

  5. Check that the impeller turns

    With gloves on, nudge the impeller blades. It should turn in small steps with a slight magnetic resistance; if it won't move at all or a blade is missing, the pump needs replacing.

    Tools: Flashlight, Gloves

  6. Refit cover and filters

    Insert the cover with its tab facing you and press down until you hear a clear click. Refit the flat filter so it lies level, then twist the round filter clockwise until the arrows line up.

  7. Run a test

    Restore power and run Rinse. A healthy pump sounds like a steady whir; crunching or rattling means something is still in the chamber.

How to reset E25

  1. Hold Start for about 3 seconds until 0:01 appears so the dishwasher drains.
  2. Turn the unit off with the power button, wait a few seconds and turn it back on.
  3. Start a Rinse or short program; E:25 should not return if the impeller is free.

Where the parts are

Dishwasher: filter, drain pump and sump – E25123456789
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 pump chamber and reseat cover Yes $0
Replace cracked filter set Yes $30–$70
Replacement pump cover (non-return cover) Yes $10–$25
Technician visit to clear the pump No $120–$200
Drain pump replacement (parts and labor) No $220–$420

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

When to call a technician

Book a technician if the impeller won't turn or is damaged, if the pump hums but never spins after clearing, or if E:25 comes back with an empty chamber and a correctly clicked-in cover. Pump replacement on a built-in unit means pulling it out and working from underneath.

Frequently asked questions

I cleaned the filter and now I get E:25. Why?

The most common reason is a pump cover that wasn't pushed down until it clicked. If it sits loose, the pump draws air and the control reads it as a blocked pump. Press it firmly back in and try again.

Is it normal that the impeller doesn't spin freely?

Yes. The Bosch drain pump has a magnetic rotor, so the impeller turns in small steps with some resistance. It should never be completely stuck or wobble loosely.

Can a broken glass damage the pump permanently?

Sometimes. Small shards usually just jam the impeller and can be picked out. A large piece can crack an impeller blade, and then the pump has to be replaced.

How do I stop E:25 from coming back?

Scrape plates into the trash, keep jar labels and toothpicks out of the dishwasher and always refit the filters so they lock. A filter that isn't seated lets debris go straight to the pump.

Sources