Why is My Dishwasher Not Draining?

No-one wishes to open their dishwasher and discover it hasn’t emptied properly but, try not to overreact just yet. You might be able to figure out the fault by yourself, without having to call a repair person or invest in a brand-new dishwasher.

Standing water in your dishwasher may have any number of of causes a proportion of which are easy to fix. Therefore, before you call a dishwasher repair service here is a list of possible things you may identify on your own. Some of which are not even caused by the dishwasher itself.

Ensure the dishwasher wasn’t stopped mid-program

It is possible that there is nothing preventing your dishwasher from draining. Alternatively, the cycle might have been cut short.

The program could have been stopped mid-way for multiple of reasons. Kids pushing buttons, inadvertently leaning against the control panel, a power cut or opening the machine mid-cycle might all prevent the program from completing and mean your dishwasher doesn’t drain.

If you suspect this could be the circumstance, or you just want to be sure it’s not the issue start the dishwasher again on a short cycle.

A proportion machines could have an empty program so it’s worth checking your owners manual or consulting google to check.

Check the waste disposal

If you have a garbage disposal check this before you do anything else as a blocked garbage disposal will prevent the dishwasher from draining. Run the waste disposal using fast running water to ensure there are no obstructions.

If you do discover an obstruction drain cleaner or a natural alternative may be sought after to remove the obstruction and this could rectify the fault.

Check the plumbing for blockages

If you sink is emptying reluctantly this could suggest a plumbing issue rather than an issue with your machine.

If the sink is draining reluctantly you can try putting some bicarb and white vinegar down the drain, leaving it for a while and subsequently washing it away with boiling water.

A sink plunger could also be used to attempt to shift the blockage.

This might be sufficient to allow your dishwasher to work again so run a quick rinse and drain cycle now. If not you may manually remove the standing water using a jug as well as a towel and troubleshoot the next few possible issues.

At this point make certain to disconnect the dishwasher to stay safe.

If in the process of any of these examinations you think you may have discovered and repaired the fault there is no need to continue to the next issue. Just start an empty cycle to ensure the dishwasher is repaired.

Examine and clean the filters

Popcorn, labels from tupperware, plastic covers and broken glass, as well as scraps of food, can all obstruct the dishwasher filter. Clear glass may also be hard to spot if you don’t look carefully.

Take out the filter then give it a thorough scrub before putting it back in place. Not all dishwashers have their filter in the same place so you might need to look at the manual for this.

Is the waste water pipe obstructed?

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 may all impede your dishwasher from draining.

Subject to the position of the waste pipe (normally the corrugated one) you could be able to inspect it simply by removing the kick plate or you might be required to pull the machine out from under the counter.

Have a look at the hose in the first instance to discover if it has been crushed or kinked. You may manage manually straighten out any kinks which will most likely resolve the issue, however, be aware that once this has occurred it is much more likely to happen again so you may wish to buy a new hose.

If you can’t find anything you can take off the drain pipe from the pump and blow through it to discover any blockages. Make sure you put down newspaper or towels before you remove the hose as there might still be water in the pipe.

If you are unable to blow through the hose this may be the reason your machine isn’t draining.

Take off the hose at the sink end in order to give it a thorough flush through to remove the obstruction. If you can’t get rid of the obstruction or the pipe is slit or degraded purchase a new one. If you can remove the blockage then re-attach the hose and start a quick cycle to find out if you have fixed the fault.

You may also examine the point where the pipe attaches under your sink. This is a typical place for a build-up of gunk so if you do take off the hose give this point a thorough clean as well.

Inspect the drain valve

You can manually inspect the drain valve to check it hasn’t seized. The drain valve will usually be found at the base of the machine on the valve bracket. Check your instruction manual if you’re unsure.

Depressing the valve or giving it a jiggle will likely be adequate to find out if it’s seized. If you can see anything stopping it from moving get rid of this. If you are unable to, this may be a good time to get in touch with a repair person unless you are confident in procuring and replacing the part on your own.

Check your pump is not broken

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

Listen to your dishwasher while it’s running

If your dishwasher doesn’t sound normal your dishwasher pump or motor may be faulty and need replacing.

Call a plumber

If none of the above investigations has repaired the issue, or you suspect the pump, pump valve or motor are damaged, it could be the right time to call for help.

At least having tried to fix the problem yourself you have avoided having to pay a hefty call-out fee for a blocked hose.