What this error means
Drainage fault — the drain pump impeller is blocked or obstructed and cannot move water from the tub.
The E25 error on a Bosch dishwasher is a more specific drainage fault than E24. Where E24 indicates a general failure to drain, E25 specifically points to a blocked or obstructed drain pump impeller as the cause. The control board has detected that the drain pump is running but the impeller cannot rotate freely, preventing water from being moved out of the tub. The most common causes are a foreign object such as a glass fragment, small bone, fruit stone, or piece of broken crockery that has passed through the filter system and become lodged in or around the impeller blades. A coin, hair grip, or bottle cap can also reach the impeller and cause this fault.
Also known as: F25 - Same as Siemens & Neff E25/F25
What you'll need first
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Step-by-step
Symptoms to look for
- E25 displayed during or at the end of a wash cycle with water remaining in the tub
- Drain pump activates but produces no water flow from the drain hose — motor is running against a seized impeller
- Loud grinding, rattling, or clicking sound from the base of the machine during the drain phase
- Machine completes the wash phase but fails to drain before the spin or drying phase begins
How to fix it
Unplug the dishwasher from the mains completely. If the machine stopped mid-cycle, hot soapy water may be standing in the tub base. Open the door slowly to allow steam to escape and have a towel ready.
Remove the lower basket. Turn the cylindrical coarse filter anti-clockwise until it releases and lift it out. Lift out the flat fine mesh filter from the recess beneath. Set both aside. With the filters removed, the sump cavity and drain pump entrance are fully accessible.
Shine a torch directly into the sump cavity. Look carefully at the area around the drain pump entrance for any foreign object that is visible resting against or partially inside the pump entrance. Common items found include: glass fragments, small pieces of bone or fruit stone, bottle caps, coins, and fragments of broken crockery. Note the position of the obstruction before attempting to remove it.
Using a non-metallic implement — a wooden cocktail stick, a plastic pen cap, or the blunt end of a wooden skewer — gently try to rotate the pump impeller. It should turn with smooth, light resistance through a full rotation. Complete inability to move, extreme stiffness, or rotation that catches and releases repeatedly in the same position all confirm that an object is jammed in or around the impeller blades.
Using long-nose pliers, tweezers, or a flexible retrieval tool, carefully extract the foreign object from the sump or impeller area. Work slowly and methodically, avoiding pushing the object further into the pump body. Once the object is removed, recheck the impeller rotation with the cocktail stick — it should now spin freely with light, even resistance throughout a full turn.
Rinse both filter components under warm running water, scrub the mesh with a toothbrush, and refit them correctly — place the fine mesh filter flat with mesh facing up, then lock the cylindrical filter clockwise until it clicks. Replace the lower basket. Plug in and run a Quick Wash. Listen during the drain phase — the pump should activate immediately and produce a smooth, uninterrupted flow of water from the drain hose with no grinding or rattling.
When to call an engineer
- Foreign object visible in the sump but cannot be retrieved from the filter access point — pump must be removed for internal access
- Impeller remains stiff or seized after all visible obstructions have been removed — a fragment is lodged deeper inside the pump housing
- Pump motor has burnt out from repeated running against a seized impeller — motor winding reads open circuit and the pump must be replaced
- Impeller blades are chipped or cracked from contact with the foreign object — pump must be replaced to prevent recurrence
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common object found causing E25 on a Bosch dishwasher?
How do I know if the obstruction has been fully removed after clearing E25?
Can E25 cause permanent damage to the drain pump if left?
How do I prevent E25 from occurring?
This video shows you how to unblock the drain pump on your Bosch Dishwasher
- Filter removal
- Drain pump cover removal
- Inspection of impeller
🎯 What is likely causing this fault?
⚠️ Estimates based on common faults — not a guaranteed diagnosis. Always verify before ordering parts.
Parts you may need
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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 | £25 - £30 | 🛒 Amazon UK → |
| Drain Pump | £25 - £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.