Why is My Dishwasher Not Draining? | Davie Appliance Repair

No-one wants to open their dishwasher and discover it hasn’t drained fully but, try not to lose it just yet. You may have the means to fix the problem without having to call a repair person or buy a new dishwasher.

Your machine refusing to drain may have multiple of causes some of which can be simple to resolve. Therefore, before you call a dishwasher repair service here is a lineup of probable issues you may correct by yourself. Some of which are not even related to the dishwasher itself.

Ensure the dishwasher wasn’t stopped mid-program

If you’re fortunate the fact your dishwasher hasn’t emptied may not be an issue at all. Rather, the cycle may have been stopped mid-way.

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

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

A number dishwashers could have an empty program so it’s worthwhile having a look at your instructions or doing a quick internet search to make sure.

Examine the garbage disposal

If you have a waste disposal examine this before you move on as a blocked garbage disposal will block your dishwasher from draining. Run the waste disposal using plenty of water to make sure there are no obstructions.

If you do find a blockage drain cleaner or a natural alternative could be used to clear the blockage and this may resolve the problem.

Examine the plumbing for issues

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

If the kitchen sink is emptying inefficiently you may try putting some bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar down the drain, leaving it for a few minutes and then flushing it through with boiling water.

A sink plunger might also be used to try and remove the obstruction.

This may be all you need to do to let your appliance to drain so start a quick cycle at this point. If not you can remove the water by hand using a bowl as well as a towel and troubleshoot a few more likely causes.

Make certain to disconnect the machine to stay safe.

If during any one of these investigations you think you have discovered and fixed the error you don’t have to go through the rest of the issues. Just start an empty cycle to make sure the machine is once again emptying as it should.

Inspect and clean the filters

Any number of things could block the filters including popcorn, labels from tupperware, plastic covers and smashed glass. Clear film can also be hard to see if you don’t look closely.

Take out the filter and wash it thoroughly before putting it back in place. Not all dishwashers have their filter in the same place so you might need to refer to the instructions for this.

Is the waste hose obstructed?

The next area to check is the waste pipe. Many things could cause a blockage 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.

Depending on the position of the waste hose (generally the corrugated one) you could have the means to view it simply by removing the base alternatively you could have to move the dishwasher away from under the counter.

Have a look at the hose first to see if it has been crushed or kinked. You could be able to fix these issues by hand which should solve the issue, however, it’s worth noting that when this has occurred it is significantly more inclined to happen again so you could need to buy a new hose.

If you can’t find an issue you could take off the waste water hose from the pump and blow into it to discover any blockages. Be sure to line the floor with newspaper or towels before you remove the hose as there may still be waste water in the pipe.

If you can’t blow through the waste hose this may be the reason your dishwasher isn’t draining.

Disconnect the hose at the sink end and then give it a thorough flush through to get rid of the blockage. If you are unable to shift the obstruction or the hose is cracked or degraded acquire a new one. If you could clear the blockage then re-attach the hose and start a short cycle to find out if you have solved the error.

You could also examine where the hose attaches to the waste disposal. This is a typical spot for debris to build up so if you happen to remove the pipe give this area a thorough scrub as well.

Examine the drain valve

You may manually check the drain valve to ensure it hasn’t stopped working. The drain valve will generally be situated at the base of the dishwasher on the valve bracket. Examine your manual if you’re not sure.

Pushing down on the valve or giving it a jiggle will likely be sufficient to let you know if it’s seized. If you are able to see anything blocking it remove this. If you are unable to, this may be when you should get in touch with a plumber unless you are happy in ordering and replacing the component on your own.

Inspect your pump is not broken

Your water pump makes use of impellers that could be blocked by pieces of glass or other objects. Check your pump isn’t blocked by removing the safety cover and ensuring that the impellers can rotate freely.

Run your machine and listen for any unusual noises

If your dishwasher is making funny noises your dishwasher pump or motor could be faulty and need replacing.

Call a repair person

If you have been through the above list and the error persists, or you think the pump, pump valve or motor are damaged, it could be the moment you need to call for help.

At least having attempted to troubleshoot you have managed to avoid needing to pay a hefty repair fee for a blocked hose.