How to Clean a Bosch Dishwasher Filter and Impeller

This video will show you how to clean the filter on your Bosch dishwasher and clean out the impeller. These are good things to check if your dishwasher is not draining or holding water, but is is also just good suggested maintenance.

[@lizharley5723]

Thanks! I was inspired to clean my Bosch dishwasher after viewing your video.

[@fixitFlip]

Great, glad I could help.

[@trishfitzpatrick2066]

I had no idea that I was supposed to clean the filter and screen of my Bosch dishwasher. Thanks for the great job of filming and explaining how to do this important maintenance. I feel like I'm saving myself an expensive repair in the future!

[@fixitFlip]

You are! And no problem!

[@s-itak9288]

E 19 code?

[@tracyquinlan5216]

Thanks! I did this without hubby. He doesn’t believe in rinsing dishes before putting in the dishwasher, but I am. My filter wasn’t as gunky, I’ll certainly clean it more often.

[@fixitFlip]

No problem, glad I could help! I'm team rinser here!

[@angelamccafferty1648]

I got the impeller blade cover off without first looking and couldn’t for the life of me figure out how how it was supposed to go back. This video was awesome!

[@fixitFlip]

Thanks, glad I could help!

[@ourstories2002]

Same!!!!! I just troubleshooted the dishwasher and led to me to clean the drain, I did not know where the white plastic came from! Thank you for the video and I learned what this is and where it belongs! 🙏🙏🙏😁

[@XtraInfo1298]

Thank you from the UK. Could not get that white plastic thing in place until seeing this video - simple when you know how but the manual is useless! Appreciated

[@fixitFlip]

No problem and glad I could help!

[@bluegurus]

Such a simple and straightforward video I really appreciate this. Thank you so much for taking the time. And pulling out the extra stuff so that we could actually see what you were doing was very helpful. We just got a new Bosch dishwasher and this is the first time I’m cleaning the filter and you made it so I don’t have to go read the manual. Thanks a lot!

[@fixitFlip]

You're welcome and glad I could help! Thanks for the kind words!

[@michaell3234]

Thanks for video- always scrape excess food into compost, do a quick rinse and then put in dishwasher for sterilization. Putting crud encased food plates in the dishwasher will only mean you get to buy a new one in a few years. The manufacturers will love this hence the advertising showing caked on plates going into their machines. Have a GE bought in 2004 still going (now I've jinxed it for sure).

[@fixitFlip]

Maybe if I read your comment to my wife then she will start actually start to do it?? Lol, I try and get her to do this all the time. Not much luck.

[@jevonclark4839]

Buddy, I owe you one trust me on that. I’ve been struggling with removing the impeller cover for a few days now thanks a million for your advice & how to

[@fixitFlip]

No problem my man. Glad I could help ya out!

[@deebee58]

Thank you so much! After watching several other videos about cleaning the inlet and waste pipes, just flipped out the cover for the impeller like you said, cleared it of a small piece of plastic 'string' and it's now happily going through the cycle as I type. Brilliant 😁

[@fixitFlip]

Great, glad I could help!

[@ClaireLucke]

Clear instructions on how to get to the impeller, thank you!

[@fixitFlip]

No problem!

[@michaelanderson821]

Brilliant! Mine was making a terrible buzzing noise. Found a bit of plastic stuck in the impeller. Saved me calling for service . Many thanks

[@fixitFlip]

No problem!

[@eggy8108]

Thank you, you just saved me what would have been weeks of arguing with my rental agent to get someone out to have a look! Seems like a coffee bean managed to get all the way through the filter and into the impeller somehow. The Bosch dishwasher I have is really old, so the design was a little different & I needed one of those star shaped screwdrivers to get the cover off the impeller - but once I got it off the problem was immediately obvious! Very helpful video :)

[@fixitFlip]

Great, glad I could be of help!

[@rufarojombe6259]

You just saved me a lot of money !!! Thank you 😊

[@fixitFlip]

No problem, glad I could help!

[@seansmith7267]

Thank you!! You saved me an expensive repair no doubt. I had a piece of glass and a small plastic string stuck in there!

[@fixitFlip]

No problem. That will definitely do it!

[@quintonbrown1996]

I’ve learned so much from your videos. You’re basically my KZbin Daddy.

[@fixitFlip]

😆😆 Glad I could be of service.

[@bryanmcnulty9625]

My impeller on the same unit froze and the washer didn’t drain and wouldn’t start. Cleaned from inside according to your video, but it was still frozen. I turned the power off, opened the outside, bottom, front panel and was able to just twist the drain pump (which includes the impeller) right off. There was hair, string and a small rubber band stuck the impeller. Removed all that, twisted it back on and it’s working good as new! Thanks for the video, I never would have tried that without it.

[@fixitFlip]

That's awesome! I'm glad I was able to get you on the right track. Nice job following the trail and finding the issue!

[@mikepetitti]

Great vid. Concise, well explained and clear. Nice job and super helpful.

[@fixitFlip]

Thank you, that's my goal!

[@marshallborder9089]

Thanks a bunch , this is my dishwasher . Didn't know anything other than the filter cleaning . Handy tip 👍

[@fixitFlip]

No problem, glad I could help.

[@lindasweet1230]

THANK YOU. While cleaning the filter -- that I've done many times before -- I found that white piece (that covers the impeller blades) at the bottom and tried all that I could think of to put it SOMEWHERE. I looked on another how-to-clean video, but this little piece was not addressed. Now everything works properly and the light that read "watertap" is off.

[@fixitFlip]

You're welcome and glad I could help!

[@alisoncraig7763]

Thanks so much! I never would have worked this out if I hadn't found your video.

[@fixitFlip]

No problem. I'm glad I could help!

[@johnbruun7705]

Thanks for posting. The impeller was blocked by a small piece of plastic. Saved me a call out fee from Bosch!

[@fixitFlip]

No problem. That will do the trick for sure!

[@stevegee9915]

Thanks!

[@fixitFlip]

Wow, thank you!

[@olgaabrams-ustinova9885]

Thank you! My husband would call a master. I saved him a lot of money😂

[@fixitFlip]

No problem. Nice working saving that cash!

[@BluegrassRoze]

Wow, great instructions! My Bosch is running right now, but I’ll be cleaning that filter first thing tomorrow!

[@fixitFlip]

Thanks! It's a good idea to do it every so often. It will keep the bad smells away, too!

[@TechProGabe]

Got some plastic stuck in the impeller and this did the trick. Thanks.

[@fixitFlip]

No problem. Glad I could help.

[@lauragilkey4921]

Thank you so much! I loved being able to find the problem based on your instructions. Great job, very clear!

[@fixitFlip]

Thanks and glad I could help you get it figured out!

[@juliacook668]

Thank u that little white bit was driving me crazy!!! Didnt know where it fit!

[@fixitFlip]

No problem, glad I could help.

[@darrelldreammaker7296]

A quick fix. An amazing tip with perfect instructions

[@fixitFlip]

Thank you!

[@joshdolloway8558]

Thanks so much dude! My impeller had a huge hairball knotty mess Your a lifesaver

[@fixitFlip]

No problem glad I could help! 👊🏻

[@geoffp2006]

What is the clear plastic two-winged piece just above the white impeller cover? (3:07 and on) Someone has pushed mine through its hole and I'm trying to figure out how to fix it.

[@livialives8910]

I’ve done all that but I can see there’s disgusting slimy gunge under that back plate behind the filter Can that be unscrewed and lifted off?

[@fixitFlip]

Yes, that can be removed by taking out those 2 screws.

[@estellestone5322]

Thank you SO much. So easy and precise.

[@fixitFlip]

No problem and glad I could help!

[@joeman1379]

thanks, worked like a champ and subbed 😄 P.S. I had three obstructions, glass shard, hair, and a huge piece of plastic somehow got in there at the impeller.

[@fixitFlip]

Ha, yep that will do it! Thanks for subbing!

[@TheSteveanna]

I accidentally popped out the dark gray ribbed piece at the back of the bottom of the round hole the filter sits in. Any idea how to get it back into place? I can't for the life of me fit it back in. I'm worried about running the DW without it in place. Maybe it's part of the filter locking mechanism? Thanks for this video!!

[@asaleemeadows]

I found this today after removing some bits from the spray nozzle. turns out I must not have put the fitler back in properly and some lemon seeds or corn found it's way in. I'm gonna check the impeller tonight. Thanks for the walkthrough. for the filter, I used my sink faucet to spray out the gunk. I'm thinking soaking with a mix of water and vinegar might do nicely too.

[@fixitFlip]

No problem. And yes a good water/vinegar mix is always a good bet for cleaning. Glad you got the culprits found.

[@ericswheeler]

I had tried everything except cleaning out the impeller, which had several coffee beans in it (no idea how they bypassed the filter). Thanks!

[@fixitFlip]

It's amazing how stuff works it's way through there. Glad I could help!

[@majorbobbage3356]

Thank you: informative, straight to the point, excellent video.

[@fixitFlip]

No problem, thanks for the kind words!

[@heffere1900]

It was an easy fix after you showed how to do it. Many Thanks!

[@fixitFlip]

No problem. Glad I could help! 👍🏻

[@susanrichardson1176]

omigorsh mine was gunky. Now it's working like a charm. Thanks so much !

[@fixitFlip]

Lol, glad I could help!

[@amitpande9629]

Thanks for this video. Helped me clean my dishwasher.

[@fixitFlip]

No problem!

[@alfredcalleja450]

Thanks from Australia.

[@fixitFlip]

No problem, mate. Have a good one.

[@SteliosPat]

Thanks. Very helpful video

[@fixitFlip]

No problem, glad to help.

[@valkyristasoiafreadings]

Thanks mate - it was the fourth white piece that was baffling me. It didn't know where to put it back.

[@fixitFlip]

No problem, glad I could help.

[@brittnaymossburg6419]

This was so helpful! Thank you.

[@fixitFlip]

You're welcome!

[@kordaling]

3:00 i had no idea it was supposed to be set that way. Bought it used, the piece was just laying at the bottom of the drain, Tought it worked using magic.

[@fixitFlip]

Ha ha. I can tell you that was no easy task filming that little sucker at that angle.

[@AccessRealty-p7k]

After watching this video I cleaned the filter in my dishwasher although it wasn't very dirty at all really however I had a bad smell in the machine and I wonder if it was the water that was at the bottom when I pulled the filter out because after I put it back in I don't have the same smell in the machine - So the question I have is in your experience have you encountered this where the little bit of water that is at the bottom of the filter causes bad odors in it? I watched 4 videos about cleaning the filter and no one mentioned this also I DID UNPLUG THE DISHWASHER before I cleaned the filter

[@fixitFlip]

Yes, stagnant water (and the food floating in it) in the bottom of the dishwasher or in the lines could cause that for sure.

[@JamesCullen-y5g]

All is clear, but there is one part missing. That’s the cover or cap to the drain. How do I put it back on?

[@asmrnina3237]

You just saved my life! Couldn’t figure out how to put the white piece back 😂😂😂 thanks 🙏 a

[@fixitFlip]

😊🤣 Glad I could help. Real heroes don’t wear capes I guess.

[@OvertheGarage-wv1wn]

Had zero problem cleaning the filter. One question though. I have read that if you prewash your dishes though the detergent has nothing to cling to and it is in the long run hard on your washer. Is this true or is that just a bunch of baloney?

[@fixitFlip]

I have never heard that one before, but not saying it's not true.

[@OvertheGarage-wv1wn]

@@fixitFlip AI said it is a popular misconception. I should have looked it up before posting. Better late than never though. It won't hurt the DW.

[@fixitFlip]

@ I didn't think it would. I always at least rinse the dishes first and my wife yells at me and says it's pointless lol.

[@SamIrwin-ws8ud]

I have a strange problem related to this fault. The dishwasher drains fine. I can hear the water flow into my garbage disposal. When I start the dishwasher, this portion of the sequence works fine. However, afterwards it seems that it stops with the fault listed. I have found that if I stop the dishwasher before the fault, and I add water to the drain and then restart the dishwasher, it will then run without fault. I have done this exact procedure a number of times to eliminate it as a fluke. Any ideas? As I said, if I add water after the test drain sequence in the beginning it is fine and I can even hear water filling into the dishwasher (so the water fill portion isn't clogged either).

[@mpalmieri23]

Thank you! Is a little water supposed to be there under the filter?

[@fixitFlip]

Yep, a little water is normal!

[@MonteComeau]

Thanks for impeller tips. I was afraid of breaking it. Had some broken glass in mine, how the heck do these things work there way through the system!

[@fixitFlip]

No problem. And I know, right!

[@ElizabethDunn-w8d]

Exactly what I needed - thank you!

[@fixitFlip]

No problem, glad I could help!

[@SmeeUncleJoe]

Great !! Found a new use for my wife's toothbrush !!!

[@fixitFlip]

Exactly! Just don't let her find out!

[@RAKINAUS]

Thanks, i didn't know you could access the impeller from the inside. Mine is making noise, im going in!!

[@fixitFlip]

No problem. Dive on in there! Good luck with the project!

[@achilleskarathanos8148]

Nice camera work!

[@fixitFlip]

Thank you!

[@eeb4660]

Incredibly helpful! Thank you!

[@fixitFlip]

No problem, glad I could help!

[@kelleypears4158]

Very helpful video

[@fixitFlip]

Glad I could help.

[@maesmerc5015]

Very helpful! Thank you!

[@fixitFlip]

No problem!

[@JZ1917]

Great help, thank you

[@fixitFlip]

You're welcome.

[@IndoonaOceans]

If you are having trouble putting the white plug back in it is because the protruding bit points outwards not inwards (which looks more plausible but isn't right)

[@fixitFlip]

Yep

[@psfgtech]

Glad i saw this first, thanks 🙏

[@fixitFlip]

No problem.

[@hayleybee9084]

Can you remove the little white fan?

[@fixitFlip]

There might be a way, but I have never done it personally.

[@truhunk1]

If you have a filter, how can stuff end up in the impeller?

[@fixitFlip]

That's a great question. It shouldn't. But somehow it seems to find a way.

[@PlayerXIII]

The pipe looking part on the filter is a overflow in case the filter mesh is clogged. If you look closely you'll notice that overflow is a straight bypass with no mesh on the inside stopping stuff from going directly into the impeller I found a blog suggesting putting a tea strainer ball in the hole to filter the bypass

[@joannawhite1441]

Any thoughts on a smelly Bosch? It’s five years old. We have hard water high in calcium. I clean the filter. Drains fine. But there’s a lot of sludge in that area where the water is and I wiped out as much as I could and put a Lemi Shine dishwasher cleaning tablet in. Still there’s slime I can’t reach. Bleck.

[@fixitFlip]

Have you checked for a clog in the drain line?

[@JayKnight-q9p]

Look at the inside of the DOOR at the bottom. Gunk builds up there real fast

[@raeesathasneem3740]

How I know the upper part and lower part of filter please reply

[@fixitFlip]

Just twist the cylinder shaped part and it will come off the big, flat screen.

[@melvinchikato6921]

Great video!

[@fixitFlip]

Thank you!

[@betacam1160]

BIG thanks man!!!

[@fixitFlip]

You're welcome!

[@AntiKaren_Karen]

Unfortunately my impeller cover is gray and *impossible* to get back into place.

[@newlineric]

Wet/dry vac makes this a lot easier, anything in the impeller will cut sucked out along with all the water, so now sponge needed.

[@fixitFlip]

Good tip.

[@kailashadvani2326]

Thx for sharing

[@fixitFlip]

You're welcome.

[@Incomplet_name]

Using a bottle brush under running water to clean the filter is much more effective than a toothbrush. You can also disassemble the filter further to clean it better.

[@fixitFlip]

Good tips. Thanks for the input.

[@KeyFobRob]

Nice video!

[@fixitFlip]

Thank you!

[@honeybunch6473]

The reason I came was because of that standing water you sponged out. So that's normal?

[@fixitFlip]

Yep, a little standing water is normal.

[@theaprecup]

Why is there water in there? I just took mine apart and cleaned out the water in there and the filter because it was gross. But now that it’s clean I put some vinegar and baking soda in there and it just collects. Why isn’t it draining?

[@fixitFlip]

There will always be a little standing water under there, but if it's not draining at all, then there could be a clog in the drain line somewhere.

[@theaprecup]

@@fixitFlip thank you for that information!

[@jasonwilliams6005]

I have a Bosch too. Those filters get bad quickly. I clean mine at least once a month.

[@fixitFlip]

I see that now! I know they need cleaning regularly, but I was a little surprised just how gunked up mine was.

[@jasonwilliams6005]

@@fixitFlip I've never cleaned the impeller though. Are you just looking things that are stuck in there? Not sure what cleaning it involves once you get to it.

[@fixitFlip]

@@jasonwilliams6005 Yeah, just basically looking to pull any debris out of there you see. I pulled one wet hairball out of mine. A lot of times when there are issues draining, that is the culprit. That impeller is what pulls the water out of the bottom. They are just little plastic blades so little hard chunks of food can gum it up in there. I would say you don't need to do it as often as you clean the filter (like you said, once a month) but it doesn't hurt to give a peak in there every now and then to prevent problems.

[@508homes]

Very easy to follow. Appreciate it as always!

[@fixitFlip]

@@508homes Thank you!

[@bleve97]

Nice, thankyou

[@fixitFlip]

You're welcome!

[@nataliyaalexander3340]

Thank you

[@fixitFlip]

No problem.

[@alyssajaderholm1296]

Question: is it typical to have standing water in the filter? I just pulled my filter out to clean and saw the standing water and was conferned. We have this dishwasher - just moved into a new house and appreciate the info.

[@fixitFlip]

Yes, It's normal to have a little standing water in there. You can see there is some in mine. If you get to a point where you feel the dishwasher is not draining correctly, then you could have a clog in the line.

[@maxkurek4505]

Pop the door open, press the start button for 3 seconds, and close the door to drain any standing water. After the water drains, open the door and press on/off to reset the machine and start a new cycle.

[@fixitFlip]

@@maxkurek4505 Thanks for the tip!

[@mikeroberti4574]

Great tip! Now I know how to remove all those nasty hair clogs in the impeller I get from removing the remaining flesh off of the buffalo heads I clean in there. 😂

[@fixitFlip]

Those buffalo heads can really do a number on your impeller.

[@mikeroberti4574]

@@fixitFlip 😝

[@holdonnow7035]

After you pull the filter cylinder off the bottom of the screen tray, the piece it is attached to can also be removed from the tray by pushing in two collar tabs and pulling it up. Easier to clean all three parts that way…

[@fixitFlip]

Thanks for the tip!

[@holdonnow7035]

@@fixitFlip YW!

[@TexasGovernor]

super helpful.

[@fixitFlip]

Glad I could help.

[@lornehampel1330]

After this process, I run a quick wash an the inside of the tub. (no dishes)

[@fixitFlip]

I'm sure that helps as well.

[@MrCabimero]

If you have that much water left in the well where the filter goes, I think you have a problem with how your drain hose.

[@fixitFlip]

It's normal to have a little in there.

[@cristinafarmer112]

Thanks! 👍🏻

[@fixitFlip]

No problem!

[@JamesCullen-y5g]

I said drain, I should have said filter. It’s a simple plastic cap. It seems that it should cover the filter by snapping or screwing on.

[@fixitFlip]

Hey, James, can you tell me a time in the video that you see this? I'm not sure which part you are talking about.

[@bluetipsasianmama5021]

I cleaned it out and it still shows E:24 on my washer. I cleaned out everything.

[@fixitFlip]

E:24 means there is a water drainage issue. If you have cleaned the filter, there could be a clog or kink in the drain line or pump.

[@bluetipsasianmama5021]

@@fixitFlip I even took off the barbed gasket and drained the hose and nothing significant came out. I thought it would be an easy fix. Would you recommend calling a service repairman? We have a plumber we have used for a long time, but not usually for appliances. He is not expensive.

[@fixitFlip]

@@bluetipsasianmama5021 You could do that or here are some even further steps you could investigate: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXKzqJV_nt2qmsk

[@xDomglmao]

I would like to suggest a topic for a new video: Replacing a defect impeller.

[@HangTimeDeluxe]

I was looking for the impeller info, thanks. However, just FYI, you waited way too long to clean that filter! Still, I suppose it made the video more dramatic. I'm actually surprised you didn't have some funky odors inside of the dishwasher.

[@fixitFlip]

Ha ha, definitely. Just because I know HOW to do things doesn't mean I always REMEMBER to do them.

[@mikeblack1455]

👍👍👍👍

[@fixitFlip]

Right on.

[@jamesethan3749]

PLEASE EXPLAIN how the hell Bosch’s “filter” has a huge gaping hole in the middle, where all your peas fell?!?!!!!! I got mine brand new from Lowes couple months ago, and it didnt drain water becuz same issue, some corn fell in the center of the filter which does NOT have any sift or mesh protecting it from big debris. Are they just idiots?!?!?!

[@fixitFlip]

I just looked in mine to double check. Mine has plastic inside that hole that catches some stuff. I wonder if you are missing a piece in the middle?

[@jamesethan3749]

@@fixitFlip - I have a plastic flap in the center but its in the shape of the moon, covers half the hole, then another one below it. So its kind of like steps of a staircase. I cant believe they didnt just cover the huge top center of that filter with some mesh.

[@fixitFlip]

@@jamesethan3749 I see what you are talking about now. It would have made a lot of sense to just put a little screen on top of there!

[@jamesethan3749]

@@fixitFlip yepp! :) I might make my own DIY top cover for that thing and cover it up. $900+ machine and needs maintenance few months in 🙄

[@fixitFlip]

@@jamesethan3749 So frustrating...

[@andrewh1696]

Cheers!

[@fixitFlip]

Cheers!

[@cdombroski8475]

I’ve got this dishwasher. 900 plus dollars. The filter design is terrible. My dishes weren’t clean enough when I put them in. I’ve been fighting to get this to work for a couple weeks. I’ve gotten good at taking it apart. That’s not a good thing. I’ve only had installed for 7 months. Ill never buy one of these again.

[@fixitFlip]

I haven't had any major issues with mine since I installed it but I have had other people comment on here similar complaints!

[@bertraminc9412]

This is why you clean the food off your dishes before you put them in the unit.

[@fixitFlip]

Can you come repeat that for my wife to hear? (Hopefully she doesn't see this.)

[@Raisinlove334]

The manual states to scrape dishes clean of larger food pieces but not to pre-rinse. Pre-rinsing reduces the detergent efficiency and may lead to premature wear on your dishes. Then again, the manual also explains that you need to rinse the filter clean up to once a month...

[@bertraminc9412]

@@Raisinlove334 Did you go back and read your own comment here? Which would you have wear out first... your expensive washing machine, or a few plates. I never put a dish in my Bosch that has food on it, because I'm not a fool. The life of my dishwasher will be much longer if food and grime do not continue to clog the lower filter in the dishwasher. I'm sure Bosch, like every other low character company out there is recommending behaviors that result in their machines dying earlier than they need to... to make more money.

[@Raisinlove334]

@@bertraminc9412 The removable filters are there for a reason, you're supposed to pull them out and clean them.

[@bertraminc9412]

@@Raisinlove334 No one said you’re not supposed to.

[@jamesreeve6465]

Pretty sure your supposed to clean the filter every few washes. You should have started the video with..... You should never let your filter get this......

[@fixitFlip]

Thanks for stopping by.

[@maxkurek4505]

Better way to remove standing water: Pop the door open, press the start button for 3 seconds, and close the door to drain any standing water. After the water drains, open the door and press on/off to reset the machine and start a new cycle.

[@fixitFlip]

Thanks for the tip!

[@lornehampel1330]

very useful! Thanks!

[@mikefalvo8536]

It's not that complicated, you just rinse it good and replace it. Simple, easy, done.... Your long drawn out process seems to take forever. Who has time for that. My machine is 20 years old and not once have I needed it serviced

[@fixitFlip]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@RAKINAUS]

This comment person is a jerk

[@paulbradshaw4511]

So you did not remove the impeller but just used tweezers to remove any debris around the one side of it??? I did not see the impeller being removed at 3:20 in the video.

[@fixitFlip]

That is correct.

[@paulbradshaw4511]

Isn't it true that while Bosch dishwashers are well made, they are designed for smaller EUROPEAN DISHES - that's why Bosch dishwashers are so hard to load here in the US. A friend of mine, who worked in an appliance store for 20 years as a manager, clued me in to that little known fact. I moved into a house a year ago that has a Bosch and I still struggle with it. I have watched 3 other videos today about loading their dishwashers and nothing has seemed really helpful.

[@fixitFlip]

Interesting. I did not know that. But I do know I have been more happy with my Bosch over several other brands I have owned in the past.

[@ringhals21]

Thank you! Very helpful.

[@fixitFlip]

No problem, glad to help.