Why is My Dishwasher Not Draining?

No-one is happy to open their machine and discover standing water but, don’t panic just yet. You might manage rectify the error without having to call a repair person or buy a new dishwasher.

Your dishwasher declining to drain may be caused by a number of things a number of which are easy to deal with. So, before you call a dishwasher repair service try this lineup of potential components you can identify yourself. A number of which are not even a fault of the dishwasher itself.

Check the program wasn’t interrupted

It is possible that there is nothing preventing your dishwasher from emptying. Instead, the cycle could have been stopped mid-way.

The cycle may have been stopped mid-way for any number of of reasons. Children pushing controls, accidentally pushing against the control panel, a power outage or opening the dishwasher mid-program might all prevent the cycle from completing and mean your machine doesn’t drain.

If you think this might be the circumstance, or you just want to be sure it’s not the issue start your dishwasher again on a quick program.

A number machines may have a drain capacity so it’s worth having a look at your instructions or consulting google to find out.

Inspect the disposal

If you have a disposal examine this before you do anything else as an obstructed disposal will stop the dishwasher from emptying. Turn on the disposal using lots of water to ensure there are no obstructions.

If you do discover a blockage drain cleaner or a plunger can be used to unclog the blockage and this may resolve the fault.

Check the sink for clogs

If you kitchen sink is draining reluctantly this could signify a plumbing issue instead of a problem with your machine.

In the case that the sink is emptying slowly you can attempt putting a little bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar down the drain, letting it sit for a while and then flushing it through with boiling water.

A plunger may also be employed to attempt to shift the blockage.

This may be enough to allow your appliance to drain so start a short cycle at this point. If not you can remove the dirty water by hand using a cup and a towel and have a look at the next few possible issues.

Make certain to unplug the machine to stay safe.

If in the process of any one of these investigations you suspect you may have detected and fixed the problem you don’t need to go through the remaining issues. Just complete an empty program to make sure the machine is repaired.

Inspect and rinse the filters

Corn Kernels, paper from containers, film covers and broken glass, plus food debris, may all obstruct the dishwasher filter. Clear film can also be difficult to see if you don’t look closely.

Take out the filter then give it a thorough scrub before putting it back in place. Not all dishwashers have their filter in the same location so you may need to consult the owners manual for this.

Is the waste water hose obstructed?

The next component to examine is the waste pipe. Stuck food, a kink in the hose or a crushed hose can all impede your dishwasher from draining.

Subject to the position of the waste hose (generally the ribbed one) you might be able to view it by means of removing the base alternatively you may be required to move the dishwasher away from the wall.

Look at the pipe first to find out if there are any kinks or it’s been squashed. You could have the means to fix these issues by hand which will most likely solve the issue, however, it’s worth noting that when this has happened it is significantly more likely to happen again so you may need to purchase a new hose.

If you can’t see an issue you could remove the drain hose from the pump and blow into it to discover any blockages. Be sure to line the floor with newspaper or towels first as there might still be waste water in the hose.

If you can’t blow air through the waste hose this could be the reason your machine isn’t emptying.

Remove the other end of the hose and then give it a good clean to remove the obstruction. If you can’t dislodge the obstruction or the pipe is cracked or degraded purchase a brand-new one. If you can clear the obstruction then put the hose back and run a short cycle to double check that you have repaired the problem.

You may also check where the hose attaches under your sink as well. This is a likely spot for a build-up of gunk so if you happen to take off the pipe give this area a good scrub as well.

Examine the drain valve

You could examine the drain valve by hand to ensure it isn’t stopped working. The drain valve will generally be found at the base of the dishwasher on the valve bracket. Examine your instructions if you’re unsure.

Depressing the valve or wiggling it a bit should be enough to tell you if it’s seized. If you are able to see an object stopping it from moving remove this. If you are unable to, this might be when you should call a plumber unless you are happy in procuring and replacing the part on your own.

Check your pump is not broken

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

Run your dishwasher and listen for any unusual sounds

If it is making funny noises your pump or motor might be broken and need to be repaired.

Call a repair person

If you have been through the above list and the fault persists, or you think the pump, pump valve or motor are broken, it could be time to call for help.

This way though you will at least have the means to give them more information and have avoided having to pay a hefty repair fee for a blocked drain.

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