A Bosch dishwasher showing E31 has detected water where it should not be. On the machines we attend the drain pump often runs constantly with it, and the code frequently appears towards the end of a cycle. Book online at /book/ or call (07) 3062 2377.

What E31 means on a Bosch dishwasher

E31 is a leak-detection trip. A sensor in the base of the machine has found water, so the machine goes into a protective mode — typically running the drain pump continuously and refusing to complete a cycle. The code tells you water has reached the base; it does not tell you where it came from, and finding the source is the actual repair.

What we find on Brisbane Bosch E31 jobs

We attended 17 Bosch E31 jobs in Brisbane in the 12 months to September 2026 — a smaller sample than our other Bosch codes, so we will describe what we find rather than quote proportions. The leak source is what varies: on one job the heat pump was found leaking, on another the sump seal. Some customers had drained the water manually and cleared the code before, only for it to return, which is the normal pattern when the leak has not been found.

What you can safely check first

Turn the machine off at the tap and at the wall. If water is reaching the base, stopping the supply is the useful first move.
Look for water on the floor under and in front of the machine, and check the door seal.
Do not tip the machine to drain it. That moves water into places it was not, and on a built-under machine it risks the cabinetry too.
Note when the code appears in the cycle — early or late — and tell the technician. It narrows the search.

What the repair involves

A technician removes the water from the base, then runs the machine to find the leak rather than simply clearing the code. On built-under machines the kickboard comes off for access. Once the source is found and repaired, the machine is run through a full cycle before handover, because a leak code that is reset without a repair always comes back.

Pricing

Our callout fee is $219, which includes the first 30 minutes of on-site labour and a full diagnosis. Parts are quoted separately before further work. Seniors, pensioners and students receive a $20 discount. Return visits are $29 plus parts and labour. All prices are estimates only.

If your machine is still inside the manufacturer’s warranty period, contact the manufacturer first to confirm how your repair should be handled.

Frequently asked questions

The pump keeps running. Is that normal with E31?

It is the machine’s protective response — it is trying to get rid of water it has detected in the base. It is a symptom of the fault, not a separate problem.

I drained it myself and the code cleared. Is it fixed?

Not unless the leak was found. On our jobs the code returns, because the water comes back.

Will it damage my kitchen?

The leak-detection system exists precisely to stop that, which is why the machine refuses to run. Leaving it off until it is repaired is the right call.

Not clearing after these steps? A technician can diagnose it on the first visit — see Dishwasher Repairs Brisbane or book online.

Bosch E31 Error Code — Leak Detection Fault