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Dishwasher not draining
Common reasons your dishwasher not draining
The most common reasons your dishwasher is not draining are a failed drain pump, cracked drain hose or a defective electronic control board.
31% of the time it's the Drain Pump
22% of the time it's the Drain Hose
17% of the time it's the Electronic Control Board
30% of the time it's the Something else
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Common dishwasher repair parts you may need
Replacing one of these dishwasher parts may fix your problem.
Drain Pump Replacement
When your dishwasher doesn't drain properly, it's likely due to a malfunctioning drain pump. This could be because the drain pump motor is faulty or the impeller inside the pump is damaged. If the impeller is damaged, the drain pump may produce a loud noise. Alternatively, if the motor isn't spinning the impeller during the draining phase of the dishwashing cycle, it may either emit a buzzing noise or remain silent. Since the drain pump is difficult to reach, it's best to have a Sears Home Services Technician examine it and replace it if necessary.
Drain Hose Replacement
When your dishwasher doesn't drain properly, it might be due to a cracked or clogged drain hose. This hose connects to the drain pump and transports wastewater to the sink drain. Equipped with a check valve, the drain hose prevents drain water from flowing back into the dishwasher once the draining process is complete. However, if the hose or check valve is cracked or damaged, water can flow back into the tub when the drain pump stops. Since accessing the drain hose can be challenging, it's best to have a Sears Home Services Repair Expert address any cracks or damage in the hose.
Electronic Control Board Replacement
If your dishwasher isn't draining, and the drain pump isn't running, it's possible that the electronic control board is defective. Typically, the control board sends electrical current to the drain pump during the draining phase of the dishwashing cycle. However, a malfunctioning relay or corrupted logic on the circuit board might hinder this process. Diagnosing whether the electronic control board is faulty can be challenging. To address this issue, it's recommended to have a Sears Home Services Repair Expert inspect and repair the dishwasher if it's not draining properly.
What to expect when you experience a dishwasher not draining issue
How to repair a dishwasher not draining problem
To resolve most drainage issues, typically, you'll need to replace the drain pump, drain hose, or electronic control board. However, since there could be various reasons behind the problem, conducting a thorough diagnosis is crucial for fixing it accurately. Having a clear understanding of the diagnosis is important for determining the cost of the repair.
Sears Home Services offers these recommendations for a dishwasher that is not draining
When your dishwasher isn't draining, there could be various causes. To avoid replacing unnecessary parts, we suggest having a Sears Home Services professional conduct diagnostic tests to pinpoint the root cause of the issue. Our technicians have the expertise to diagnose all kinds of dishwasher problems accurately.
What you should look out for with a dishwasher not draining diagnosis
Diagnosing issues with modern appliances can be challenging without the right knowledge and training. Simply replacing parts without proper diagnostic techniques may not solve the problem. Appliances, particularly those made in the last decade, have advanced significantly, with electronic components that are hard to assess. DIY repairs on these latest models are becoming more complex.
A dishwasher with leftover water in the tub commonly faces a clogged drain or failing pump. Scooping water is tedious—schedule dishwasher service near me.
What our customers say about us
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Thorough
James called to give an estimated arrival time. He was professional and personable. He had 2 professional ideas of the problem and found 1 was correct, but he didn't stop there. He did a thorough check of the appliance. 1 small part was needed. He ordered the part to my house. Fortunately, he was able to schedule for the next week, just before Thanksgiving. As before, he called ahead, arrived and quickly fixed the problem. My appliance is working perfectly.
Kirsten A, Oxford, PA
Service Call
Luke was great. Polite and knowledgeable even though the dishwasher was older than he!
James G, Hillsboro, MO
Daniel
Daniel went above and beyond to fix my dish washer. Very pleasant to deal with.
Paul F, Hghlnds Ranch, CO
Frequently Asked Questions
Repair Dishwasher Resources
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If the dishes in your dishwasher are no longer getting clean, it could be the spray arm is clogged.
Glossary Terms
A dishwasher diverter motor controls the direction of water flow to different spray arms within the dishwasher, ensuring optimal water distribution during each wash cycle for thorough cleaning.
A dishwasher drawer is a compact, space-saving kitchen appliance designed to clean dishes efficiently, resembling a standard kitchen drawer that slides out for easy loading and unloading.
Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. It contrasts with soft water, which has lower concentrations of these minerals.
A dishwasher filter is designed to trap food particles, debris, and other residues during the wash cycle to prevent them from redepositing on dishes and clogging the drain.