Dishwasher Not Draining

The drain impeller pushes water through the drain hose and into the garbage disposer or drain line. If the impeller is broken, replace it.

The drain solenoid opens the drain valve to allow the water to exit the dishwasher. If the drain solenoid fails the valve will not open causing the dishwasher not to drain.

Over time, the drain valve can get clogged with debris. To ensure that water can flow through the drain valve, clean out the valve. If the drain valve is clear of debris but it still won’t actuate, replace it. Drain valves are not repairable—if the drain valve is defective, you must replace it.

A dishwasher's main control board provides power to nearly every electrical component in the dishwasher. A faulty board may be unable to supply power to the drain pump, preventing it from drawing the water out of the tank and forcing it through the drain hose to the garbage disposal or sink drain pipe.

The motor drives an impeller to force water out of the drain hose. If the motor runs during the drain cycle, check for a blockage in the drain line. If the motor won't run during the drain cycle or if it just hums when it should be running, the pump and motor assembly might need to be replaced.

If the garbage disposer was installed recently, the drain plug may not have been removed. All garbage disposers are sold with a solid plug in the drain tube. If the dishwasher is not connected to the garbage disposer, the plug must remain in the drain tube. However, if the dishwasher is connected to the garbage disposer, the plug must be removed. If the garbage disposer wasn't replaced recently, it is possible that the disposer is clogged. Remove the dishwasher drain hose from the disposer and clean out both the fitting on the disposer and the end of the drain hose. These are the most common places to find an obstruction if the dishwasher won't drain.

The drain hose might be clogged. To unclog the drain hose, remove the drain hose from both the dishwasher and the sink drain and clean it out. The drain hose is most commonly clogged near the garbage disposer or dishwasher drain branch tailpiece.

The check valve prevents water from returning to the dishwasher after it has drained. If the valve gets stuck closed, it will prevent the water from draining. If the check valve is stuck closed, try cleaning it out and then replace it if necessary.

The check ball is a small plastic ball in the check valve that prevents water from returning to the dishwasher after the dishwasher has drained. If the check ball gets stuck, it will prevent water from draining through the check valve. If the check ball is stuck, try to free it.

The drain hose needs to be connected to a siphon break or looped high under the cabinet to keep the water from siphoning back into the dishwasher. 

A dishwasher's filter assembly usually consists of both a course and a fine filter located in the sump. If one or both of these filters is clogged, the appliance will probably not drain properly. If the filters cannot be cleaned effectively or if they are damaged, they will need to be replaced.

A dishwasher will usually have both a course and a fine screen filter located in the sump. If one or both of these filters is clogged, the appliance will probably not drain properly. If the filters cannot be cleaned effectively or if they are damaged, they will need to be replaced.