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  1. Repair

Dishwasher wont drain

Common reasons your dishwasher wont drain

The most common reasons your dishwasher won't drain are a failed drain pump, faulty pump and motor assembly or a cracked drain hose.

  • 61%

    61% of the time it's the
    Drain Pump

  • 17%

    17% of the time it's the
    Pump and Motor Assembly

  • 13%

    13% of the time it's the
    Drain Hose

  • 9%

    9% of the time it's the
    Something else

  • Schedule your dishwasher repair now!

    We can help! Our service technicians have repaired over 19.7M dishwashers. We can fix yours no matter where you bought it.

    Call (646) 440-2692 or schedule online now.

    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.


    Pump and Motor Assembly Replacement

    When the dishwasher won't drain, the pump and motor assembly that drains the water is often faulty. The motor spins a pump impeller and the impeller that moves the water through the drain hose could be damaged. A faulty motor could also be failing to spin the impeller properly. You'll likely hear a grinding or whining noise when those failures are happening. Have a Sears Home Services Technician repair the dishwasher when a faulty pump isn’t draining the water properly.

    Drain Hose

    If your dishwasher isn't draining properly, a blocked or damaged drain hose may be the culprit. The drain hose links to the drain pump and directs wastewater to the sink drain. Equipped with a check valve, the hose prevents drain water from flowing back into the dishwasher once the drain cycle is complete. However, if the hose or check valve is cracked, water may flow back into the tub when the drain pump ceases operation. Since accessing the drain hose is challenging, it's best to enlist the help of a Sears Home Services Repair Expert to address any cracks or damages.

    What to expect when you experience a dishwasher wont drain issue

    How is the won't drain problem repaired?

    Fixing most drainage issues typically requires replacing the drain pump, pump and motor assembly, or drain hose. However, since there are various possible causes, a comprehensive diagnosis is crucial for resolving the problem. An accurate diagnosis is necessary to determine the cost of the repair.

    Sears Home Services recommended strategies for a dishwasher that won't drain

    If your dishwasher isn't draining, there could be various reasons for it. To prevent unnecessary part replacements, we advise having a Sears Home Services expert conduct diagnostic tests to pinpoint the exact issue. Our technicians possess extensive experience in diagnosing all kinds of dishwasher problems.

    What you will see with a dishwasher won't drain diagnosis

    Identifying issues in modern appliances without adequate knowledge and training can prove challenging. Without employing appropriate diagnostic methods, resolving problems with your dishwasher may involve merely replacing parts based on guesswork. Appliances, particularly those developed over the last decade, have become highly advanced, often featuring electronic components that are challenging to assess. As a result, do-it-yourself repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming more challenging.

    What our customers say about us

    With more than 1.3 Million 5 Star Reviews, you don't have to take our word for it

    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

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