Bosch Kitchen Appliances Dishwasher Not Draining: How to Fix It Yourself
Bosch dishwashers that will not drain usually have a clogged filter or a blocked drain pump. Bosch uses a triple-filter system at the bottom of the tub that catches food particles, and it needs to be cleaned regularly. A thorough filter cleaning fixes the majority of Bosch draining problems.
⚠️ Safety First
- Turn off the dishwasher and disconnect power at the breaker before working on it.
- Have towels ready — standing water will be in the bottom of the tub.
- Be careful with glass or sharp debris in the filter area.
Parts You May Need
Step-by-Step Repair
- 1
Remove standing water
Open the dishwasher door. Use a cup or sponge to remove as much standing water from the bottom as possible. Soak it up with towels. You need the bottom of the tub dry enough to work in.
- 2
Remove and clean the filter assembly
Pull out the bottom rack. In the center-bottom of the tub, you will see a cylindrical filter with a handle. Turn it counter-clockwise and lift it out. Below it is a flat mesh filter — lift that out too. Wash both filters under running water, using a soft brush to remove any food or grease. This is the number one fix for Bosch drainage problems.
- 3
Check the drain pump cover
With the filters removed, look to the side of the filter housing. You will see a white plastic cover for the drain pump. Unclip or unscrew it. Inside, check for glass, bones, labels, or other debris blocking the pump impeller. Carefully remove anything you find. Spin the impeller with your finger — it should rotate freely.
- 4
Inspect the drain hose
Pull the dishwasher out slightly (or access from under the sink) and check the drain hose. Make sure it is not kinked or pinched. If the hose connects to a garbage disposal, make sure the knockout plug inside the disposal inlet was removed when the dishwasher was installed — this is a surprisingly common oversight.
- 5
Check the air gap or high loop
Look on top of the sink for a small chrome cap — that is the air gap. If you have one, remove the cap and clean out any debris inside. If you do not have an air gap, make sure the drain hose has a high loop (goes up near the underside of the counter before going down to the disposal or drain). Without this, dirty water can siphon back into the dishwasher.
- 6
Reassemble and test
Put the pump cover back on, reinstall the mesh filter and cylindrical filter (turn clockwise to lock). Replace the bottom rack. Run a short rinse cycle and check that the water drains completely. If it still does not drain, the drain pump motor itself may be faulty.
If That Didn't Work
- Faulty drain pump motor
- Clogged garbage disposal or sink drain connection
- Blocked or kinked drain hose
- Control board not sending signal to drain pump
When to Call a Professional
If cleaning the filters and checking the pump and hose does not fix it, the drain pump may need replacing. A technician will charge $150–$250 for this repair. If your Bosch is still under the standard two-year warranty (or extended warranty), contact Bosch directly for free service.
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