Bosch E23 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 E23 actually means

The dishwasher has found an electrical fault in its drain pump and has stopped rather than carry on with a pump it can't rely on.

The control board watches the electrical resistance of the drain pump's winding. With E23 it has read something outside the expected range — an open circuit or a short — so it shuts the cycle down, usually leaving water sitting in the bottom of the tub. Unlike the blocked-drain codes E24 and E25, this one is pointing at the pump itself or its wiring rather than at debris in the filters.

What E23 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, E23 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

Failed drain pump motor winding
Damaged or corroded wiring or connector at the pump
Water having got into the pump's electrical connections after a leak
Control board misreading the pump circuit (less common)

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.

Turn the dishwasher off at the wall for a minute, then switch back on and start a rinse programme — occasional one-off readings do clear
Lift out the filters in the base and rinse them under the tap, so drainage isn't fighting a blockage as well
Check the drain hose behind the machine isn't kinked or crushed, if you can reach it without moving the appliance
Scoop out standing water with a jug and a sponge before it starts to smell

Common questions about Bosch E23

What does E23 mean on a Bosch dishwasher?

The dishwasher has found an electrical fault in its drain pump and has stopped rather than carry on with a pump it can't rely on. The control board watches the electrical resistance of the drain pump's winding. With E23 it has read something outside the expected range — an open circuit or a short — so it shuts the cycle down, usually leaving water sitting in the bottom of the tub. Unlike the blocked-drain codes E24 and E25, this one is pointing at the pump itself or its wiring rather than at debris in the filters.

Can I fix Bosch E23 myself?

There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the dishwasher off at the wall for a minute, then switch back on and start a rinse programme — occasional one-off readings do clear.
Lift out the filters in the base and rinse them under the tap, so drainage isn't fighting a blockage as well.
Check the drain hose behind the machine isn't kinked or crushed, if you can reach it without moving the appliance.
Scoop out standing water with a jug and a sponge before it starts to smell.

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

How much does it cost to repair Bosch E23?

£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 E23?

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 E23 error — dishwasher