Why is My Dishwasher Not Draining?

No-one wants to open their machine and discover it hasn’t emptied properly but, don’t lose it just yet. You may manage solve the error before you have to call a repair person or invest in a new dishwasher.

Standing water in your machine could be induced by multiple things some of which can be straightforward to deal with. So, before you call a dishwasher repair service here is a lineup of possible issues you may troubleshoot yourself. A proportion of which are not even caused by the dishwasher itself.

Check the dishwasher wasn’t interrupted mid-program

It is probable that there is nothing preventing your dishwasher from emptying. Rather, the program may have been stopped mid-way.

The cycle could have been cut short for any number of of reasons. Kids pushing buttons, mistakenly leaning on the controls, a power cut or opening the machine mid-cycle could all prevent the program from completing and mean your machine doesn’t empty.

If you suspect this may be the case, or you just want to be sure it’s not the issue run your machine again on a quick program.

A proportion dishwashers might have a drain capacity meaning it’s worth checking your manual or checking online to find out.

Check the waste disposal

If your dishwasher is attached to the garbage disposal examine this first as an obstructed disposal will block your dishwasher from draining. Turn on the disposal with fast running water to check there are no obstructions.

If you do find a blockage drain cleaner or a plunger could be employed to clear the obstruction and this might solve the fault.

Examine the sink waste for clogs

If you kitchen sink is emptying slowly this might signify an issue with the plumbing as opposed to a problem with your dishwasher.

In the case that the kitchen sink is emptying reluctantly you may attempt putting a little bicarb and vinegar down the drain, leaving it for a few minutes and then flushing it away with hot water.

A plunger may also be used to attempt to remove the obstruction.

This could be enough to allow the machine to empty so start a short cycle now. If this hasn’t solved the problem you may remove the standing water by hand using a bowl and also a towel and check a few more possible issues.

Make certain to unplug the dishwasher to prevent electrocution.

If in the process of one of these checks you suspect you have discovered and solved the fault you don’t have to go through the rest of the steps. Just complete an empty cycle to make sure your dishwasher is once again draining as it should.

Inspect and clean the filters

Any number of things could block the filters including corn kernels, paper from containers, film covers and smashed glass. Clear glass may also be hard to see if you aren’t looking for it.

Remove the filter and give it a good clean before putting it back in place. Not all machines have their filter in the same place so you could need to look at the manual for this.

Is the waste water pipe blocked?

The next place to check is the drain pipe. Many things could cause an obstruction including a build up of food debris, a kink in the hose, or a crushed hose. All of which could all stop your machine from emptying.

Contingent upon the position of the waste hose (usually the corrugated one) you might have the means to inspect it simply by taking off the base alternatively you could have to move the machine away from under the counter.

Have a look at the hose in the first instance to find out if it has been squashed or kinked. You could manage manually fix any kinks which will most likely resolve the issue, however, it’s worth noting that once this has happened it is much more inclined to happen again so you may wish to order a new hose.

If you can’t find anything you can disconnect the drain hose from the dishwasher and blow into it to check for any blockages. Be sure to line the floor with newspaper or towels before you remove the hose as even if you have emptied the machine there could still be water in the hose.

If you can’t blow through the waste hose this may be the issue.

Remove the other end of the hose in order to give it a thorough flush through to remove the blockage. If you can’t shift the obstruction or the waste pipe is split or degraded invest in a new one. If you may remove the blockage then put the hose back and run a short program to make sure you have repaired the error.

You may also inspect where the pipe attaches to the waste disposal. This is a common place for a build-up of gunk so if you happen to take off the waste pipe give this area a thorough clean as well.

Check the drain valve

You may manually examine the drain valve to check it isn’t got stuck. The drain valve will generally be located in the bottom of the dishwasher on the valve bracket. Examine your manual if you can’t see it.

Pressing down on the valve or giving it a wiggle should be adequate to let you know if it’s seized. If you are able to see any debris blocking it remove this. If you are unable to, this may be when you should ring a plumber unless you are confident in purchasing and replacing the component on your own.

Examine your pump is not broken

Your water pump uses impellers that could become blocked by pieces of china or other objects. Check your pump isn’t blocked by taking off the safety cover and ensuring that the impellers can be easily rotated.

Run your dishwasher and listen for any unusual noises

If it sounds unusual your dishwasher pump or motor might be broken and need to be repaired.

Call a repair person

If you have been through the above list and the error persists, or you have reason to believe the pump, pump valve or motor are broken, it might be the moment you need to call in the professionals.

This way though you will at least manage give them more information and have avoided needing to pay a hefty call-out fee for a blocked hose.