Bosch E21 dishwasher: what it means & what to check

Stop using it for now. Carrying on with this fault risks further damage or a leak. Switch it off at the wall until it has been looked at.

What E21 actually means

The pump that pushes water round the spray arms is jammed, so the machine can't circulate water and stops.

E21 means the circulation pump — the one that drives water up to the spray arms, not the one that empties the machine — isn't turning freely or isn't moving enough water past it. The control board sees the restriction and halts the programme rather than run the pump against a blockage. Typically you'll find the cycle stops early with water still sitting in the bottom and the dishes barely rinsed.

What E21 looks like on a Bosch dishwasher

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Bosch dishwasher, E21 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Dishwasher not draining
Water left in the tub at the end of the cycle
Stops mid-cycle full of water
Standing water in the bottom
Not filling with water
No water going in
Takes for ever to fill
Stops right at the start of the cycle

Recognise any of those? That is this fault, and the rest of this page explains what causes it and what you can check yourself.

What usually causes it

Debris such as glass chips, fruit stones or a bone fragment lodged in the pump
Heavily clogged filters starving the pump of water
A cocktail stick, label or piece of foil jammed in the impeller
Seized or failed circulation pump motor

What you can safely check yourself

Work through these in order. Anything beyond this — panels off, testing parts, anything to do with the wiring — is an engineer's job, and not one to attempt with the machine plugged in.

Take out the bottom filter assembly, rinse it under the tap and clear anything trapped in the mesh
Lift out the spray arms if they unclip by hand and flush the holes through
Check nothing small has fallen through into the sump area — a cocktail stick or shard of glass is a common find
Scoop out any standing water, then switch off at the wall for a minute and restart a short programme to see if the code returns

Common questions about Bosch E21

What does E21 mean on a Bosch dishwasher?

The pump that pushes water round the spray arms is jammed, so the machine can't circulate water and stops. E21 means the circulation pump — the one that drives water up to the spray arms, not the one that empties the machine — isn't turning freely or isn't moving enough water past it. The control board sees the restriction and halts the programme rather than run the pump against a blockage. Typically you'll find the cycle stops early with water still sitting in the bottom and the dishes barely rinsed.

Can I fix Bosch E21 myself?

There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Take out the bottom filter assembly, rinse it under the tap and clear anything trapped in the mesh.
Lift out the spray arms if they unclip by hand and flush the holes through.
Check nothing small has fallen through into the sump area — a cocktail stick or shard of glass is a common find.
Scoop out any standing water, then switch off at the wall for a minute and restart a short programme to see if the code returns.

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.

How much does it cost to repair Bosch E21?

£66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Tried the checks and it's still showing E21?

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried the checks above. Then it wants someone who can open it up.

What it costs, before you call: the price is the same whatever the fault turns out to be — £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Our own engineers, not a call centre. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire — most dishwasher faults are seen same day or next day.

Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need

Outside our area? The explanation above still stands — take it to a local engineer and tell them the code. Knowing it saves them time and you money.

Other Bosch dishwasher codes

All Bosch fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

Repairs we cover near you

Written by the engineers at ASAP Repairs, 0115 648 0929. We repair these machines for a living in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

Bosch E21 error — dishwasher