Why is My Dishwasher Not Draining?

Although it’s never a welcome sight to open the dishwasher and find out it is still full of water, don’t panic just yet. You could manage rectify the problem without having to call a repair person or buy a new machine.

Your machine declining to drain may be induced by a number of issues a proportion of which are easy to solve. So, before you call a dishwasher repair service here is a lineup of potential things you can correct by yourself. A proportion of which are not even a fault of the machine itself.

Check the program wasn’t interrupted

If you’re lucky the standing water you have discovered may not be a problem at all. Alternatively, the program could have been cut short.

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

If you think this may be the circumstance, or you think it might be worthwhile checking start your dishwasher again on a quick cycle.

A few dishwashers could have an empty program meaning it’s well worth having a look at your owners manual or consulting google to check.

Inspect the disposal

If you have a waste disposal check this first as an obstructed waste disposal will stop the machine from emptying. Run the garbage disposal using plenty of water to ensure there are no obstructions.

If you do uncover an obstruction drain unclogger or a plunger may be sought after to unclog the obstruction and this might deal with the error.

Examine the sink for issues

If you kitchen sink is draining slowly this could suggest an issue with the plumbing instead of a fault with your machine.

If the kitchen sink is draining inefficiently you may try putting a little bicarbonate of soda and vinegar down the plughole, letting it sit for a while and then flushing it through with boiling water.

A plunger might also be employed to attempt to remove the blockage.

This might be enough to let your appliance to work again so run a quick rinse and empty program now. If not you could remove the water by hand using a bowl and a sponge and check the next few possible issues.

At this point make certain to turn off the machine to prevent electrocution.

If during any of these checks you think you have discovered and repaired the error there is no need to continue to the next issue. Just complete an empty program to make sure the dishwasher is repaired.

Inspect and scrub the filters

Any number of things could block the filters including corn kernels, labels from tupperware, plastic covers and broken glass. Clear glass can also be difficult to spot if you aren’t looking for it.

Remove the filter then give it a good scrub before putting it back in place. Not all filters are obvious and simple to remove so you may need to look at the instruction manual for this.

Is the waste hose obstructed?

The next area to check is the waste pipe. Many things could cause an obstruction including a build up of food debris, a kink in the hose, or a crushed hose. All of which may all impede your machine from emptying.

Depending on the location of the hose (usually the corrugated one) you might be able to look at it simply by taking off the kick plate or you may have to move the machine away from under the counter.

Visually examine the pipe first to see if it has been squashed or kinked. You may 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 much more inclined to happen again so you may wish to purchase a new hose.

If you are unable to find anything you could disconnect the waste water pipe 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 even if you have emptied the dishwasher there could still be waste water in the hose.

If you can’t blow through the waste pipe this could be the issue.

Disconnect the hose at the sink end and then give it a thorough clean to get rid of the blockage. If you are unable to get rid of the blockage or the hose is split or damaged invest in a brand-new one. If you could get rid of the blockage then replace the hose and start a short program to check that you have solved the problem.

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

Check the drain valve

You could inspect the drain valve by hand to make sure it isn’t got stuck. The drain valve will generally be found in the bottom of the machine on the valve bracket. Consult your owners manual if you can’t see it.

Depressing the valve or wiggling it a bit will likely be enough to let you know if it’s seized. If you can see an object blocking it remove this. If you are unable to, this may be a good time to get in touch with a plumber unless you are undaunted by ordering and replacing the component on your own.

Check your pump is not broken

Your appliance pump makes use of impellers that can be blocked by pieces of china or other debris. Check your pump isn’t obstructed by removing the safety cover and making sure the impellers are free to move.

Run your dishwasher and listen for any unusual sounds

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

Call a plumber

If you have been through the above list and the fault remains, or you suspect the pump, pump valve or motor are damaged, it might be the right time to call for help.

At least having tried to fix the problem yourself you have avoided having to pay a hefty call-out charge for a blocked hose.

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