Why is My Dishwasher Not Draining?

No-one wishes to open their machine and discover it hasn’t drained correctly but, don’t overreact just yet. You could have the means to figure out the error without having to call a plumber or invest in a new machine.

Standing water in your machine could have multiple of causes some of which can be straightforward to rectify. So, before you call a dishwasher repair service try this list of probable components you can correct on your own. Some of which are not even related to the dishwasher itself.

Check the cycle wasn’t cut short

If you’re fortunate the fact your dishwasher hasn’t emptied may not be a fault at all. Instead, the cycle might have been cut short.

The cycle might have been interrupted for multiple of reasons. Little fingers pressing buttons, accidentally pressing against the buttons, a power cut or opening the dishwasher mid-program might all stop the cycle from completing and mean your dishwasher doesn’t drain.

If you believe this could be the circumstance, or you think it may be worthwhile checking run your machine again on a short cycle.

A few appliances could have a drain function meaning it’s worthwhile consulting your owners manual or consulting google to check.

Examine the waste disposal

If you have a garbage disposal check this before you move on as an obstructed garbage disposal will prevent the dishwasher from draining. Turn on the disposal with lots of water to check there are no issues.

If you do find an obstruction drain un-blocker or a plunger could be employed to clear the blockage and this may deal with the error.

Check the sink waste for blockages

If you sink is emptying slowly this may signify a plumbing issue rather than an issue with your machine.

If the kitchen sink is emptying inefficiently you can try putting some bicarb and vinegar down the plughole, leaving it for a few minutes and subsequently washing it away with hot water.

A plunger might also be utilized to attempt to dislodge the blockage.

This may be enough to permit the machine to drain so start a short cycle at this point. If not you could remove the dirty water by hand using a cup as well as a sponge and troubleshoot a few more likely causes.

At this point make sure you disconnect the dishwasher to stay safe.

If during any one of these checks you think you have discovered and repaired the error you don’t have to go through the rest of the issues. Just run an empty cycle to ensure the machine is now draining as it used to.

Inspect and scrub the filters

Corn Kernels, paper from jars, plastic film covers and smashed glass, as well as scraps of food, may all block the machine filter. Clear film can also be hard to spot if you aren’t looking for it.

Remove the filter and give it a thorough clean before replacing it. Not all filters are obvious and straightforward to remove so you could need to look at the manual for this.

Is the drain hose blocked?

The next area to inspect is the drain pipe. Stuck food, a kink in the hose or a crushed hose can all impede your dishwasher from emptying.

Depending on the position of the hose (generally the corrugated one) you may have the means to look at it by means of removing the base alternatively you might have to move the dishwasher away from under the counter.

Look at the pipe in the first instance to discover if it has been squashed or kinked. You might manage fix these issues by hand which should rectify the issue, but it’s worth noting that when this has happened the chance of it occurring again is greatly increased so you could wish to order a new hose.

If you can’t see an issue you may disconnect the drain pipe from the dishwasher and blow through it to discover any blockages. Make sure you line the floor with newspaper or towels first as even if you have emptied the machine there might still be water in the hose.

If you can’t blow air through the hose this might be the reason your dishwasher isn’t emptying.

Take off the other end of the hose in order to give it a thorough flush through to get rid of the blockage. If you are unable to get rid of the blockage or the pipe is split or worn buy a brand-new one. If you can remove the blockage then put the hose back and run a short cycle to double check that you have repaired the issue.

You may also inspect where the waste hose attaches under your sink. This is a common place for debris to build up so if you happen to take off the waste hose give this point a good scrub as well.

Check the drain valve

You could examine the drain valve by hand to check it hasn’t got stuck. The drain valve will usually be found in the bottom of the machine on the valve bracket. Check your instruction manual if you can’t see it.

Depressing the valve or giving it a jiggle should be sufficient to find out if it’s stuck. If you are able to see anything blocking it get rid of this. If you are unable to, this might be the right time to ring a plumber unless you are confident in procuring and repairing the valve yourself.

Examine your pump is not blocked

Your water pump uses impellers that can get blocked by pieces of glass or other debris. Check your pump isn’t blocked by removing the safety cover and checking that the impellers can be easily rotated.

Listen to your dishwasher while it’s on

If your dishwasher doesn’t sound right your dishwasher pump or motor might be damaged and need to be repaired.

Call a plumber

If none of the above investigations has repaired the issue, or you have reason to believe the pump, pump valve or motor are broken, it might be time to get the professionals.

At least having done your best to fix the problem yourself you have prevented having to pay a hefty repair charge for a blocked hose.