Why Is My Dishwasher Not Draining Water?

Have you noticed that your dishwasher is not draining water and you are wondering what could be the cause of the problem? If yes, then today you have landed in the right place.

Multiple reasons could be causing your dishwasher not drain water including dirty filters, blocked drain hose, damaged drain pump, damaged drain pump, damaged belt, and faulty timer. In this article, we will discuss in detail the possible reasons why your dishwasher is not draining water.

Dirty Filter

One of the reasons why your dishwasher is not draining water is because the filter is dirty. The filter plays a crucial role in trapping soggy food remnants. It also prevents excess grease from finding its way into your dishes. If the filter is clogged, then your dishwasher will not drain water efficiently. The solution to this problem is to clean the filter or replace it if it is completely worn out.

Man cleans the filter in the dishwasher.

Blocked Drain Hose

If replacing or cleaning your filters does not solve the issue, then the problem could lie on the drain hose. The drain hose is a crucial part that drains dirty water from the dishwasher. The drain hose is usually connected to the line that drains water from the kitchen sink.

This component needs to be cleaned regularly to prevent it from clogging. If not, it will clog because of food remains and grime buildup. To fix this problem, you need to disconnect the drain from the dishwasher, then clean it to remove food particles and grime that are stuck inside. If the drain hose is not clogged, then you need to check the kitchen sink to see if it is blocked.

dishwasher waste pipe connected to the sink waste pipe of a kitchen

Damaged Drain Pump

Like the filter, the drain pump usually gets clogged over time by grime buildup and food leftovers. If left to build up over time, it will cause damage to the drain pump, making it difficult for your dishwasher to drain water. If you notice that the drain pump is struggling to drain water, then that is a clear sign of a drain pump issue.

The solution to this problem is to clean the drain pump to remove grime and leftover foods or have it replaced if it is damaged beyond repair.

dishwasher drain pump

Damaged Drain Valve

The drain valve plays a crucial role in ensuring that water is drained out of the dishwasher. If the drain valve is faulty, then water in the dishwasher will not drain. In order for the drain hose to drain water out of the dishwasher, the valve which is controlled by a solenoid must open to allow water to flow out. If the valve or the solenoid is damaged then water will not flow out smoothly. The solution to this is to replace the faulty valve or solenoid.

Faulty Timer

Dishwashers have timers that control that unit’s cycle by regulating the time that power is directed to each of its components. If the dishwasher timer malfunctions, then it could disrupt the ability of your dishwasher to drain water properly. So, inspect your dishwasher timer and it is defective, replace it, then run your dishwasher to see if it is draining water properly.

Damaged Belt

Dishwashers are equipped with pumps that are driven by belts. If the belt becomes faulty or worn-out then it will not run the pump properly and that will affect the ability of the dishwasher to drain water properly. So, if your dishwasher is not draining water properly, check its belt to see if it is in good shape. If it is damaged or worn out, replace it.

Whirlpool Dishwasher Not Draining

The most common issue causing your Whirlpool dishwasher not to drain water is a blocked filter. Follow a simple troubleshooting guide to resolve the issues.

First, remove the filter and rinse it with hot tap water to clean it. If the dishwasher is still not draining water after cleaning the filter then there is another problem with the appliance. Next check the drain valve for any blockages. The Whirlpool user manual will be able to help you find all these components.

If this fails to resolve your issue, consult an appliance engineer or plumber.

GE Dishwasher Not Draining

These are the common fault when a GE dishwasher is not draining water:

  1. Drain pipe blocked – Over time the drain pipe will block up with excess food particles and grime, you will need to disconnect the pipe to clean and flush the system out.
  2. Blocked filter – Filters will block over time and you can simply wash in cold water. I suggest replacing all filters once every 24 months.
  3. Drain pump – The drain pump job is the remove all the water if the pump fails you will need a technician to repair or replace the pump.
  4. Drain solenoid – If the solenoid has failed you will need to pay an engineer to replace the solenoid.

Frigidaire Dishwasher Not Draining

Frigidaire dishwasher’s filters become blocked from time to time. You should remove the filter from the floor of the dishwasher and wash under tap water. If the filter is worn I would suggest replacing the filter with a new filter.

If this does not solve the issue then one of these components could be causing the problem: drain pump, solenoid or drain hose.

best dishwashers to buy

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few popular frequently asked questions:

How do I get rid of standing water in my dishwasher?

There are many reasons that could be causing your dishwasher not to drain water, including a damaged drain valve, damaged drain hose, not loading the dishwasher correctly, a blocked filter, and much more.

You need to carefully inspect your dishwasher to know the exact cause of the problem then fix it. If you lack the expertise, hire a dishwasher expert to do the job for you.

How do I know if my dishwasher drain hose is blocked?

One of the common signs of a blocked drain hose is if water is leaking from the dishwasher onto the floor when you open the dishwasher door. When the drain hose is clogged it will not drain water properly, resulting in water buildup at the bottom of the dishwasher.

Should there be water in the bottom of the dishwasher?

A small amount of water at the bottom of the dishwasher should not worry you because it helps to prevent the seals from drying up. However, if there is too much water that leaks onto the floor when you open the door, then that should worry you because it is an indication that the dishwasher is not draining water properly as it should.

Related Articles: