What this error means
Drain blockage — the machine has detected a blockage preventing water from leaving the drum.
The E24 error on an AEG washing machine indicates the control board has determined there is a blockage in the drainage system that is preventing water from being removed from the drum. The machine monitors the rate at which the water level drops during the drain phase and will display E24 when it detects no progress or progress that is far slower than expected due to an obstruction. The most common causes are a completely blocked pump filter, a foreign object jammed in the pump impeller, a severely kinked drain hose, or a blocked household standpipe or sink waste. A failed drain pump will also produce this code.
What you'll need first
Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Step-by-step
Symptoms to look for
- Machine stops mid-cycle with a full or partially full drum of water visible
- E24 displayed during the drain or spin phase of a programme
- Pump makes no noise during what should be a drain phase
- Water leaking from beneath the machine or around the door seal due to water level overload
How to fix it
Unplug the machine from the mains. Because E24 indicates a complete or near-complete drainage blockage, there will almost certainly be a full drum of water still inside the machine. Lay old towels thickly across the floor and place the largest shallow tray you have directly under the filter access flap at the bottom front of the machine.
Open the access flap and press your tray as close to the filter cap as possible. Turn the filter cap anti-clockwise by a single quarter turn — no further. Water will begin escaping as a controlled trickle. Allow your tray to fill, move it aside, empty it, and replace it beneath the cap. Continue in this way until no more water flows. Then unscrew the filter cap fully and pull it out.
Rinse the filter under warm running water and scrub the mesh with an old toothbrush to remove every trace of lint, hair, fabric fibres, and solid debris. Reach into the filter housing with a torch and clear the pump entrance area completely.
Shine the torch into the housing. Locate the impeller — the plastic fan at the back of the cavity. Rotate it gently with one finger. It should spin freely with light, even resistance. If it will not move at all or is extremely stiff, there is a solid obstruction jammed around or through the impeller blades. Attempt to clear it carefully with a flexible grabber or tweezers.
Trace the drain hose from the machine rear to the household waste connection. Straighten every kink, bend, and compressed section. Check the standpipe or sink waste trap is clear — a blocked household drain will produce E24 on every cycle regardless of the machine internal condition.
Refit the filter cap firmly and clockwise until it stops. Plug the machine back in and run a Drain or Spin Only programme. Listen for the pump activating immediately after the programme starts. Water should begin flowing clearly from the drain hose within 30 seconds.
When to call an engineer
- Impeller completely seized and cannot be freed from the filter access point — pump must be removed
- Pump motor runs but produces no water movement after blockage is cleared — motor winding has failed
- E24 returns on the first cycle after a full filter clean — obstruction deeper in the pump body
- Foreign object visible inside the pump body but unreachable from the filter cavity
Frequently asked questions
How is E24 different from E20 on an AEG washing machine?
What is the most common thing found blocking an AEG pump filter with E24?
Can I use the machine again before fully resolving E24?
What should I do if I cannot clear the blockage from the filter access point?
🎯 What is likely causing this fault?
⚠️ Estimates based on common faults — not a guaranteed diagnosis. Always verify before ordering parts.
Parts you may need
Enter your model number to filter results to your exact machine
Usually found on a label inside the door frame or on the back panel of the machine.
| Part | Approx. UK Cost | Find it |
|---|---|---|
| Drain Pump | £15 - £30 | 🛒 Amazon UK → |
| Drain Pump | £15 - £30 | 🏷️ eBay UK → |
ℹ️ Prices are approximate. Always check the part number matches your model before ordering. Not sure of your model number? Find out how to locate it here.