Why is My Dishwasher Not Draining?

No-one wants to open their machine and discover it hasn’t drained properly but, try not to panic just yet. You might have the means to deal with the problem before you have to call a plumber or acquire a brand-new machine.

Standing water in your dishwasher can be induced by multiple issues a proportion of which can be straightforward to solve. Therefore, before you call a dishwasher repair service try this selection of probable issues you can identify yourself. Some of which are not even related to the dishwasher itself.

Check the dishwasher wasn’t interrupted mid-cycle

It is probable that there is nothing stopping your machine from draining. Instead, the cycle could have been cut short.

The cycle might have been stopped mid-way for a number of of reasons. Kids pressing buttons, inadvertently pressing on the control panel, a power outage or opening the machine mid-program may all interrupt the program and mean your machine doesn’t empty.

If you think this might be the case, or you feel it might be a good idea to check start the dishwasher again on a quick program.

Some dishwashers might have a drain program meaning it’s worthwhile consulting your instruction manual or doing a quick internet search to check.

Examine the garbage disposal

If your dishwasher is plumbed into your disposal check this before you move on as an obstructed garbage disposal will block your machine from draining. Run the disposal using fast running water to check there are no blockages.

If you do discover a blockage drain cleaner or a plunger could be employed to clear the blockage and so this could solve the problem.

Inspect the sink waste for blockages

If you sink is draining reluctantly this might signify a plumbing issue rather than a problem with your dishwasher.

In the case that the sink is emptying slowly you could attempt putting a little bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar down the plughole, letting it sit for a few minutes and subsequently flushing it through with hot water.

A plunger may also be utilized to try and shift the obstruction.

This might be sufficient to permit the dishwasher to empty so start a short rinse and empty cycle to check. If this hasn’t solved the problem you could manually remove the standing water using a bowl as well as a sponge and check a few more likely causes.

At this point make sure you turn off the machine to stay safe.

If during any of these examinations you suspect you have discovered and repaired the error there is no need to continue to the next issue. Just run an empty cycle to check your machine is repaired.

Check and scrub the filters

Popcorn, labels from tupperware, film covers and smashed glass, as well as food debris, could all block the machine filter. Clear plastic lids may also be difficult to spot if you don’t look carefully.

Take out the filter then clean it thoroughly before putting it back in place. Not all machines have their filter in the same place so you might need to consult the instructions for this.

Is the drain hose obstructed?

The next place to check is the drain pipe. Stuck food, a kink in the hose or a crushed hose could all prevent your machine from draining.

Depending on the location of the waste hose (normally the corrugated one) you might be able to view it simply by taking off the kick board alternatively you may be required to move the machine out from under the counter.

Visually inspect the pipe in the first instance to discover if it has been crushed or kinked. You might have the means to manually remove any kinks which is likely to fix the issue, however, be aware that once this has happened the chance of it happening again is massively increased so you may wish to buy a replacement hose.

If you can’t find any obvious kinks or obstructions you may remove the waste water pipe from the pump and blow into it to check for any blockages. Make sure you line the floor with newspaper or towels first as even if you have emptied the machine there could still be water in the hose.

If you are unable to blow through the waste hose this might be the issue.

Take off the other end of the hose in order to give it a thorough flush through to clear the blockage. If you can’t shift the blockage or the hose is cracked or degraded purchase a brand-new one. If you may remove the obstruction then re-attach the hose and run a quick cycle to make sure you have repaired the problem.

You can also check the point where the pipe attaches under your sink as well. This is a typical point for blockages to occur so if you happen to remove the waste pipe give this area a thorough clean as well.

Inspect the drain valve

You could check the drain valve by hand to check it isn’t seized. The drain valve will most often be found in the bottom of the dishwasher on the valve bracket. Examine your instruction manual if you can’t see it.

Depressing the valve or wiggling it a bit will likely be sufficient to tell you if it’s stuck. If you are able to see an object stopping it from moving get rid of this. If you can’t, this could be when you should get in touch with a plumber unless you are confident in ordering and repairing the component yourself.

Check your pump is not broken

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

Run your machine and listen for any unusual sounds

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

Call a plumber

If you have been through the above list and the issue persists, or you have reason to believe the pump, pump valve or motor are not working, it may be a good time to call in the professionals.

This way though you will at least have the means to give them more information and have prevented having to pay a big call-out fee for a blocked drain.