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% of the time it's the
Drain Pump

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

13% of the time it's the
Drain Hose

9% 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.

How to replace a dishwasher drain pump

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.

How to replace a dishwasher pump and motor assembly

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.

How to replace a dishwasher drain hose

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.

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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