Bosch Dishwasher Standing Water in Bottom — What’s Happening
Standing water in the bottom of a Bosch dishwasher after a cycle means the machine is not draining properly. This is a drainage failure, not a unique error code, though some models may display E24 or E25 when the drain path is blocked or the pump cannot evacuate water.
Bosch treats this as a “not draining” condition. The most common cause is food debris blocking the filter or water pump, followed by drain hose routing problems or restrictions in the household drain connection.
Most Likely Causes
- Clogged filter unit Food debris, grease, or small objects accumulate in the filter at the bottom of the tub and prevent water from reaching the pump.
- Debris in the pump area or impeller jam Glass shards, bone fragments, labels, or other foreign objects lodge behind the pump cover and block the impeller from spinning.
- Blocked, kinked, or twisted drain hose The drain hose is crushed, routed incorrectly, or has an internal blockage that stops water from leaving the dishwasher.
- Restricted household drain or sink connection The sink trap, garbage disposal connection, or air gap is clogged, or the hose installation does not allow proper drainage.
- Failed drain pump If the drain path is clear but water still does not evacuate, the pump motor or impeller assembly has failed and cannot pump out water.
How to Diagnose and Fix
- Disconnect power to the dishwasher before accessing any internal components.
- Remove the lower dish rack and take out the filter unit at the bottom of the tub.
- Clean the filter thoroughly under running water and inspect it for debris, grease, or foreign objects.
- Remove the pump cover per the owner’s manual and inspect the pump cavity and impeller for glass, bones, labels, or other blockages.
- Use a sponge or towel to remove standing water from the sump area so you can see and reach the pump clearly.
- Inspect the drain hose for kinks, twists, crushing, or internal blockage, and straighten or flush it if needed.
- Check the household drain connection at the sink, disposal, or air gap for blockage and confirm the hose is routed correctly to allow gravity drainage.
- Reassemble the filter and pump cover correctly, restore power, and run a drain or rinse cycle to confirm water pumps out normally.
Parts You Might Need
| Part | Notes |
|---|---|
| Dishwasher filter assembly | Amazon | The cylindrical or mesh filter unit that sits in the sump at the bottom of the tub. |
| Drain pump | Amazon | Replace if the pump does not run or water will not evacuate after clearing all blockages. |
| Drain hose | Amazon | Replace if the hose is kinked, cracked, or has an internal clog that cannot be flushed. |
Related Error Codes
If your appliance also shows a code on the display, these match this problem:
- Bosch Dishwasher E01 error code
- Bosch Dishwasher E02 error code
- Bosch Dishwasher E03 error code
- Bosch Dishwasher E04 error code
- Bosch Dishwasher E05 error code
- Bosch Dishwasher E06 error code
- Bosch Dishwasher E07 error code
- Bosch Dishwasher E08 error code
- Bosch Dishwasher E09 error code
- Bosch Dishwasher E13 error code
- Bosch Dishwasher E14 error code
- Bosch Dishwasher E15 error code
When to Call a Pro
If you have removed the filter, inspected the pump area, checked the drain hose, and verified the household drain connection but water still will not pump out, the drain pump may need electrical testing or replacement. A technician can also diagnose less common control or sensor faults that affect the drain cycle. Call a pro if you are uncomfortable working around the pump assembly or if the dishwasher shows persistent error codes after clearing visible blockages.