The Thermador E24 error indicates a drain fault where the unit cannot clear water. The primary fix is cleaning the triple filter system including the coarse, flat, and fine filters. Also, ensure the drain hose is not kinked or blocked.
Nine times out of ten when I see E24, the triple filter is just absolutely caked. Takes five minutes to clean and you're done. But if you ignore it and keep running cycles, you're risking water sitting in that sump overnight, which means mold smell that takes forever to get rid of. Worst case, you burn out the drain pump running it while blocked, and that's a $120 part you didn't need to buy.
Phillips #2 screwdriver (for pump cover on some models), Flathead screwdriver (to pop pump impeller cover tabs)
What Does the E24 Code Mean?
OK so here's the deal with E24. Your dishwasher tried to drain and couldn't finish the job in time. Thermador's triple filter system is genuinely better than most brands, but that also means it catches more stuff and needs cleaning more often. I'd say 80% of the E24 calls I go on are just a dirty filter. The other 20% are a kinked drain hose, a stuck impeller, or somebody forgot to knock out the garbage disposal plug.
Most Likely Causes
Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:
Clogged triple filter (coarse strainer, flat filter, fine filter cylinder)40%
Kinked or improperly routed drain hose24%
Drain hose outlet too high - over 20 inches above the floor14%
Failed drain pump motor12%
Blocked drain pump impeller10%
Symptoms You May Notice
E24 showing on the control panel display, usually right at the end of a wash or rinse cycle
You open the door and there's a couple inches of gross, cloudy water sitting at the bottom of the tub
The machine goes through the whole wash cycle and then just stops, no clean light, no beep, just the error
Dishes come out wet and kind of funky smelling because the dirty drain water never actually left the tub
You can hear the drain pump humming and buzzing but no water is moving through the hose under the sink
Can you reset a Thermador dishwasher to clear the E24 code?
Hold the Start/Stop button for 3 to 5 seconds until the display clears. Then unplug the dishwasher from the wall outlet for a full 60 seconds. Don't just flip the breaker, actually pull the plug. Plug back in, wait another 30 seconds, then run a short rinse-only cycle. If E24 comes back within the first couple minutes of that rinse cycle, the blockage is still there and you haven't found it yet.
Tools Required for Diagnosis
Phillips #2 screwdriver (for pump cover on some models)Flathead screwdriver (to pop pump impeller cover tabs)Multimeter set to ohms/resistance modeStack of old towels or a shallow pan to catch standing waterSoft-bristle brush or old toothbrush for scrubbing filter meshFlashlight to see down into the sump area
Diagnostic Checklist
Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.
ComponentComponent Under Test
Expected Range200–250 ohms
ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.
Replacement Parts
If your diagnostic testing proves the component has failed, you will need a replacement. We recommend OEM parts over aftermarket for water-handling components.
Part Name
OEM Number
Estimated Price
Drain pump00631200 · $45–$80
00631200
$45 – $80
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I remove and clean the triple filter on a Thermador dishwasher?
Pull the lower rack out first. Twist the coarse strainer counterclockwise about a quarter turn and lift it straight out. Under that is the flat mesh filter, just pull it up. Then twist out the fine filter cylinder. Take all three to the sink and rinse under hot water, scrub the mesh with a soft brush or toothbrush. A little dish soap on the brush helps cut grease. The whole thing takes maybe five minutes. Reinstall in reverse order and make sure everything locks back into place before you run a cycle.
My filter is clean but E24 keeps coming back. What else should I check?
With a clean filter, I'd go straight to the drain hose next. Check for kinks, especially right behind the machine and at the connection under the sink, and confirm the high point of the hose loop is 20 inches or less from the floor. After that, pop the pump cover off and check if the impeller spins freely, a bone fragment or glass shard jammed in there is more common than you'd think. If the impeller's fine, test the pump motor with a multimeter. You're looking for 200 to 250 ohms between the terminals. Anything else and the motor's gone.
What does E24 mean versus E25?
Both are drain-related but they're pointing at slightly different things. E24 is a broader drain timeout, meaning water just didn't leave the tub in the allotted time, which could be a clog anywhere in the system. E25 is more specific, it's pointing at the drain pump impeller being physically blocked by debris. That said, the first fix for both codes is exactly the same: clean the triple filter. Usually that's all it takes regardless of which code you're seeing.
How high can the Thermador dishwasher drain hose be?
No higher than 20 inches above the floor at its highest point. If it's too high, the drain pump can't overcome the static head pressure and E24 will trigger at the end of every single drain cycle, consistently, not just sometimes. It's a surprisingly common installation mistake, especially in kitchens where someone was trying to route the hose up and over something. The fix is just rerouting the hose so the peak of the loop stays under that 20 inch mark.
How often should I clean the Thermador triple filter to prevent E24?
Once a month minimum if you're running it every day. Every two weeks if you're doing a lot of heavily soiled loads, like pots and pans with baked-on food. Thermador recommends monthly cleaning in the manual and honestly that's pretty reasonable advice. I've been to houses where the filter hadn't been touched in six months and it was basically a solid mat of grease and food debris. The good news is it takes five minutes once you know where everything is, so there's really no good reason to let it go that long.
Will E24 go away on its own if I just reset the machine?
No. Whatever's blocking the drain is still there. The code clears temporarily when you unplug and restart, but it'll come right back as soon as the machine tries to drain again. Don't just keep resetting it and running cycles hoping it'll clear, because you'll eventually burn out the drain pump motor running it against a blockage. That turns a five-minute filter cleaning job into a $120 repair plus waiting for the part to ship.