Why is My Dishwasher Not Draining?

No-one wishes to open their machine and discover it hasn’t emptied correctly but, don’t panic just yet. You may manage rectify the error before you have to call a plumber or invest in a brand-new dishwasher.

Standing water in your machine could be bought about by a number of components a few of which can be easy to fix. So, in advance of calling a dishwasher repair service here is a list of probable things you may correct yourself. A number of which aren’t even related to the dishwasher itself.

Check the program wasn’t interrupted

It is probable that there is nothing preventing your dishwasher from emptying. Instead, the program could have been interrupted.

The cycle could have been interrupted for any number of of reasons. Little fingers pushing buttons, accidentally pressing against the controls, a power outage or opening the dishwasher mid-cycle might all interrupt the program and mean your dishwasher doesn’t empty.

If you suspect this might be the circumstance, or you think it could be a good idea to check start the machine again on a short program.

Some machines may have a drain cycle meaning it’s well worth having a look at your instruction manual or consulting google to make sure.

Check the garbage disposal

If your dishwasher is attached to your waste disposal inspect this before you move on as an obstructed waste disposal will block your dishwasher from draining. Turn on the disposal using lots of water to make sure there are no blockages.

If you do find an issue drain cleaner or a natural alternative could be used to unclog the blockage and this could deal with the fault.

Examine the plumbing for issues

If you kitchen sink is draining reluctantly this may signify an issue with the pipes instead of a problem with your machine.

In the case that the sink is draining inefficiently you can attempt putting a little bicarb and vinegar down the plughole, leaving it for a few minutes and subsequently flushing it away with boiling water.

A plunger may also be used to attempt to shift the obstruction.

This could be enough to permit your dishwasher to work again so start a short rinse and drain cycle now. If not you can manually get rid of the water using a cup as well as a sponge and have a look at a few more likely causes.

Make certain to turn off the dishwasher to stay safe.

If in the process of one of these examinations you believe you may have found and fixed the error there is no need to continue to the next issue. Just complete an empty program to make sure your dishwasher is once again draining as it should.

Check and wash the filters

Corn Kernels, labels from containers, film covers and smashed glass, plus scraps of food, can all block the dishwasher filter. Clear plastic lids may also be hard to see if you aren’t looking for it.

Remove the filter then clean it thoroughly before replacing it. Not all machines have their filter in the same place so you could need to consult the owners manual for this.

Is the drain hose blocked?

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

Subject to the position of the waste pipe (generally the ribbed one) you may have the means to view it by removing the base or you could be required to pull the dishwasher out from under the counter.

Have a look at the hose first to discover if there are any kinks or it’s been squashed. You might have the means to fix these issues by hand which is likely to solve the issue, however, be aware that once this has occurred it is much more likely to happen again so you may wish to order a new hose.

If you are unable to find an issue you may disconnect the drain pipe from the dishwasher and blow through it to check for any blockages. Be sure to line the floor with newspaper or towels first as there may still be dirty water in the pipe.

If you can’t blow air through the pipe this may be the issue.

Take off the other end of the hose and give it a thorough flush through to remove the blockage. If you are unable to remove the obstruction or the waste pipe is split or degraded purchase a brand-new one. If you may clear the obstruction then put the hose back and start a short cycle to find out if you have solved the fault.

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

Inspect the drain valve

You could manually check the drain valve to make sure it isn’t stopped working. The drain valve will generally be situated in the bottom of the dishwasher on the valve bracket. Examine your owners manual if you’re not sure.

Depressing the valve or giving it a jiggle should be sufficient to let you know if it’s stuck. If you can see something blocking it get rid of this. If you can’t, this could be a good time to get in touch with a repair person unless you are undaunted by procuring and replacing the component on your own.

Examine your pump is not broken

Your appliance pump uses impellers that can get blocked by pieces of glass or other debris. Check your impellers aren’t obstructed by removing the cover and checking that the impellers can rotate freely.

Listen to your dishwasher while it’s running

If the dishwasher sounds unusual your pump or motor could be faulty and need replacing.

Call a repair person

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 broken, it could be time to call for help.

At least having tried to troubleshoot you have managed to avoid having to pay a big repair charge for a blocked hose.