Why is My Dishwasher Not Draining?

No-one wishes to open their dishwasher and discover it hasn’t emptied fully but, don’t panic just yet. You may manage solve the fault before you have to call a plumber or purchase a new dishwasher.

Your machine failing to empty may have multiple of causes a few of which can be easy to solve. Therefore, in advance of calling a dishwasher repair service here is a lineup of probable issues you may identify on your own. A few of which aren’t even caused by the machine itself.

Ensure the program wasn’t cut short

It is possible that there is nothing preventing your dishwasher from emptying. Rather, the program may have been cut short.

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

If you think this may be the situation, or you think it may be worthwhile checking run your dishwasher again on a short cycle.

Some machines could have a drain capacity meaning it’s worth checking your owners manual or consulting google to find out.

Examine the waste disposal

If your dishwasher is attached to the disposal check this before you move on as a blocked waste disposal will block your machine from emptying. Turn on the waste disposal using fast running water to ensure there are no blockages.

If you do discover an issue drain cleaner or a natural alternative can be used to unclog the obstruction and so this may deal with the error.

Check the plumbing for issues

If you sink is emptying slowly this might signify a plumbing issue rather than an issue with your machine.

If the sink is emptying reluctantly you can try putting some bicarbonate of soda and vinegar down the plughole, leaving it for a while and then washing it through with hot water.

A sink plunger could also be utilized to attempt to dislodge the blockage.

This might be enough to let your dishwasher to empty so start a quick rinse and empty program to check. If this hasn’t worked you can manually drain the dishwasher using a cup as well as a sponge and check a few more areas.

At this point make certain to turn off the machine to stay safe.

If during one of these checks you think you may have discovered and fixed the issue there is no need to continue to the next step. Just complete an empty cycle to check the machine is fixed.

Examine and wash the filters

Popcorn, labels from tupperware, plastic covers and broken glass, plus food debris, could all block the machine filter. Clear glass may also be hard to spot if you aren’t looking for it.

Take out the filter then scrub it thoroughly before replacing it. Not all filters are obvious and simple to remove so you could need to consult the owners manual for this.

Is the waste water hose blocked?

The next area to inspect 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 can all impede your machine from draining.

Contingent upon the location of the waste pipe (usually the ribbed one) you might be able to inspect it simply by lifting away the kick board alternatively you may need to move the dishwasher away from the wall.

Look at the pipe first to see if there are any kinks or it’s been squashed. You may manage manually straighten out any kinks which should solve the issue, but it’s worth noting that when this has occurred the chance of it occurring again is massively increased so you could wish to order a new hose.

If you are unable to see anything you can disconnect the waste hose from the machine and blow into it to check for any blockages. Make sure you put down newspaper or towels before you remove the hose as even if you have emptied the dishwasher there may still be water in the hose.

If you are unable to blow air through the waste hose this may be the reason your dishwasher isn’t emptying.

Remove the other end of the hose and give it a thorough clean to clear the obstruction. If you can’t remove the blockage or the pipe is cracked or worn invest in a brand-new one. If you can get rid of the obstruction then replace the hose and start a short cycle to make sure you have fixed the error.

You may also inspectthe point where the waste pipe connects under your sink. This is a typical place for blockages to occur so if you do remove the waste pipe give this connection a thorough scrub as well.

Inspect the drain valve

You could examine the drain valve by hand to ensure it isn’t stopped working. The drain valve will most often be found in the bottom of the dishwasher on the valve bracket. Check your manual if you’re unsure.

Pushing down on the valve or giving it a jiggle should be sufficient to let you know if it’s seized. If you can see anything stopping it from moving remove this. If you are unable to, this might be a good time to get in touch with a plumber unless you are confident in purchasing and swapping out the valve on your own.

Check your pump is not broken

Your appliance pump makes use of impellers that may get blocked by broken china or other objects. Check your pump isn’t blocked by taking off the safety cover and ensuring that the impellers can rotate freely.

Run your machine and listen for any unusual noises

If the dishwasher doesn’t sound normal your pump or motor could be faulty and need replacing.

Call a repair person

If you have been through the above list and the problem remains, or you think the pump, pump valve or motor are damaged, it could be a good time to call for help.

At least having attempted to troubleshoot you have managed to avoid needing to pay a big call-out charge for a clogged filter.