Thermador Dishwasher Error Codes

Common Symptoms

• i20 error code displayed — dishwasher won't drain or drains slowly
• i30 error code — dishwasher shuts off mid-cycle, AquaStop anti-flood triggered
• i60 error code — water not heating, dishes come out cool and wet
• E24 error code — drain pump fault (BSH platform code)
• E25 error code — pump blockage or impeller obstruction
• Dishwasher stops mid-cycle and displays a flashing error code
• Dishes come out dirty, wet, or with detergent residue

Most Likely Causes

1. 1

   i20 — Drain Pump Fault

   The i20 code indicates the drain pump is running but unable to empty the tub within the allowed time window. Root causes include: a clogged two-part cylindrical filter assembly (most common — quarter-turn removal), a kinked or improperly high-looped drain hose, a blocked garbage disposal knockout plug (new installations), or a failed drain pump motor. Test the drain pump motor by disconnecting power, removing the pump from the sump assembly, and probing the motor terminals with a multimeter — a healthy Thermador drain pump reads 10–30Ω. An OL (open circuit) reading means the motor winding has failed and the pump must be replaced. On BSH platform dishwashers, E24 is the equivalent Bosch-style code for the same fault.

2. 2

   i30 — AquaStop Anti-Flood Triggered

   The i30 code is Thermador's AquaStop indicator — water has collected in the sealed base pan and the float sensor has risen, cutting off the water inlet to prevent flooding. This is most commonly caused by condensation accumulation in the insulated base pan over many cycles (not a true leak), though active door gasket leaks, spray arm O-ring failures, and drain hose connection drips can also trigger it. The tilt-drain reset procedure clears condensation-based i30 faults in 80–90% of cases.

3. 3

   i60 — Heating Element or NTC Temperature Sensor Fault

   The i60 code indicates the dishwasher control board detected a heating or temperature-sensing fault. Two components are implicated: the heating element (a coiled stainless element at the base of the tub, resistance spec 20–30Ω; OL = failed, replace) and the NTC temperature sensor (a thermistor that monitors wash water temperature, resistance spec 10–15kΩ at 77°F/25°C; a wildly out-of-range reading means replace the sensor before the element). Always test the NTC sensor first — a faulty sensor can mimic a dead heating element. Both components require electrical disconnect before testing.

4. 4

   E24 — BSH Platform Drain Code (Bosch Equivalence)

   E24 on a Thermador dishwasher is drawn directly from the BSH shared diagnostic platform and is functionally identical to E24 on a Bosch dishwasher. It indicates the drain pump failed to clear the tub — same root causes as i20: clogged filter, kinked hose, failed pump motor (10–30Ω spec). Thermador service parts and Bosch service parts are interchangeable for the drain pump on BSH-platform dishwashers. Verify the part number by model before ordering — the DWHD770WFM and DWHD650WFP use the same BSH drain pump module.

5. 5

   E25 — Pump Blockage / Impeller Obstruction

   E25 indicates the drain pump impeller is physically blocked. Unlike i20/E24 (motor winding failure), E25 typically means the pump motor is functional but something — a broken glass shard, an olive pit, a chip of bone — is jammed in the impeller housing and preventing rotation. The fix is mechanical: remove the filter assembly, access the pump impeller port in the sump base, and use needle-nose pliers or a wooden skewer to extract the obstruction. Clear the blockage, replace the filter, restore power, and run a drain cycle. If the pump still reads OL after clearing, the thermal protector inside the motor has blown — replace the pump.

Quick DIY Checks

1. 1SAFETY — Switch off the dishwasher circuit breaker or unplug the unit before any internal component testing. The i30 code specifically means water is present near electrical components in the base pan — never reach into the base while the unit is energized.
2. 2i20 / E24 / E25 — CLEAN THE FILTER FIRST — Open the door and twist the cylindrical microfilter counterclockwise to remove it (one-quarter turn on DWHD770WFM, DWHD650WFP, and DWHD660WFM). Lift out the flat coarse pre-filter beneath it. Rinse both under hot running water and scrub with a soft brush. Reinstall both filters firmly — the cylindrical microfilter must lock back into place (verify it cannot be lifted without rotating). Run a rinse-only cycle and check if the code clears. This resolves approximately 50–60% of i20/E24 calls.
3. 3i30 — TILT-DRAIN RESET PROCEDURE — Spread thick towels on the floor in front of the dishwasher. Disconnect power at the breaker. Remove the lower kickplate panel (two screws). Grip the sides of the dishwasher near the base and tilt the entire unit forward to approximately 45 degrees — hold for 30 seconds while condensation water drains from the base pan through the front gap onto your towels. Return the dishwasher to upright. Wait 2 minutes for the AquaStop float to settle back down. Restore power and run a short rinse cycle — i30 should clear automatically. If i30 returns within 3–5 cycles, inspect the door gasket corners and door seal for active leaks.

Repair vs Replace

Recommended Tools & Parts

• Thermador BSH Drain Pump Module

  Replacement drain pump for Thermador BSH-platform dishwashers (DWHD770WFM, DWHD650WFP, DWHD660WFM). Fixes i20, E24, E25 codes. Resistance spec: 10–30Ω on healthy motor. BSH platform — also compatible with equivalent Bosch models. Verify by model number. Amazon tag: fixitfastai-20.

  $30–$60

  Buy on Amazon →

• Thermador Dishwasher NTC Temperature Sensor

  Replacement NTC thermistor sensor for Thermador BSH-platform dishwashers. Resistance spec: 10–15kΩ at 77°F. Fixes i60 error codes caused by temperature sensor failure. Twist-lock mounting — no tools required. Amazon tag: fixitfastai-20.

  $15–$30

  Buy on Amazon →

• Thermador Dishwasher Heating Element

  Replacement heating element for Thermador BSH-platform dishwashers. Resistance spec: 20–30Ω. Fixes i60 error codes caused by open heating element coil. Model-specific — verify DWHD model number before ordering. Amazon tag: fixitfastai-20.

  $40–$80

  Buy on Amazon →

• Digital Multimeter

  Required for drain pump resistance testing (10–30Ω), NTC sensor testing (10–15kΩ at 77°F), and heating element testing (20–30Ω). Auto-ranging preferred for accurate high-resistance NTC readings.

  $20–$45

  Buy on Amazon →

Links are Amazon affiliate links (tag: fixitfastai-20). Prices are estimates.

Related Repair Guides

This section combines editorial `relatedSlugs` from the article source with metadata-based matches so each guide links deeper into the repair library.