Why is My Dishwasher Not Draining?

No-one is happy to open their dishwasher and discover it hasn’t emptied correctly but, don’t panic just yet. You might be able to fix the issue by yourself, without having to call a repair person or purchase a brand-new machine.

Your machine declining to empty may have any number of of causes a few of which are simple to figure out. So, in advance of calling a dishwasher repair service try this selection of probable components you may troubleshoot on your own. A number of which are not even caused by the machine itself.

Check the program wasn’t interrupted

It is probable that there is nothing preventing your machine from draining. Alternatively, the cycle may have been interrupted.

The program might have been interrupted for a number of of reasons. Kids pressing controls, mistakenly pressing against the control panel, a power surge or opening the dishwasher mid-cycle may all interrupt the cycle and mean your machine doesn’t empty.

If you believe this may be the circumstance, or you think it might be a good idea to check run your dishwasher again on a short cycle.

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

Examine the disposal

If you have a garbage disposal check this before you do anything else as a blocked waste disposal will block your dishwasher from emptying. Turn on the waste disposal using fast running water to check there are no obstructions.

If you do find a blockage drain un-blocker or a natural alternative could be sought after to clear the blockage and so this may rectify the fault.

Inspect the plumbing for blockages

If you kitchen sink is emptying slowly this might indicate an issue with the pipes rather than a problem with your machine.

In the case that the kitchen sink is draining slowly you can attempt putting a little bicarb and vinegar down the plughole, letting it sit for a while and then washing it through with hot water.

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

This could be all you need to do to let the appliance to empty so start a quick cycle at this point. If not you may manually get rid of the water using a bowl and also a sponge and troubleshoot a few more possible issues.

Make certain to disconnect the dishwasher to stay safe.

If in the process of any of these checks you believe you have found and solved the issue you don’t have to go through the remaining issues. Just run an empty cycle to ensure your machine is now draining as it should.

Check and rinse the filters

Corn Kernels, labels from containers, plastic film lids and smashed glass, plus food debris, may all block the machine filter. Clear film may also be difficult to see if you don’t look carefully.

Take out the filter then clean it thoroughly before replacing it. Not all dishwashers have their filter in the same location so you might need to look at the manual for this.

Is the waste water pipe obstructed?

The next place to examine is the drain hose. 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 prevent your machine from emptying.

Depending on the location of the waste hose (usually the corrugated one) you may be able to look at it by means of taking off the kick plate alternatively you could need to pull the machine out from the wall.

Look at the pipe in the first instance to find out if there are any kinks or it’s been squashed. You may be able to fix these issues by hand which should rectify the issue, however, it’s worth noting that when this has occurred the chance of it occurring again is significantly increased so you might wish to buy a spare hose.

If you are unable to see anything you could remove the waste water pipe from the dishwasher and blow into it to discover 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 waste water in the pipe.

If you are unable to blow through the waste pipe this might be the issue.

Disconnect the hose at the sink end in order to give it a thorough flush through to clear the blockage. If you can’t remove the obstruction or the pipe is cracked or worn purchase a new one. If you may get rid of the obstruction then re-attach the hose and run a short program to double check that you have repaired the error.

You could also examine where the waste hose connects to the sink. This is a typical spot for a build-up of gunk so if you happen to take off the waste hose give this area a thorough clean as well.

Inspect the drain valve

You may manually check the drain valve to check it hasn’t seized. The drain valve will often be located at the base of the machine on the valve bracket. Consult your manual if you’re not sure.

Pressing down on the valve or giving it a wiggle will likely be adequate to tell you if it’s stuck. If you can see something stopping it from moving carefully extract this. If you are unable to, this might be when you should call a repair person unless you are undaunted by purchasing and repairing the valve on your own.

Examine your pump is not broken

Your appliance pump makes use of impellers that may become blocked by pieces of glass or other objects. Check your pump isn’t blocked by taking off the cover and making sure the impellers are free to move.

Listen to your dishwasher while it’s on

If the dishwasher is making funny noises your dishwasher pump or motor may be damaged and need replacing.

Call a plumber

If none of the above investigations has repaired the issue, or you have reason to believe the pump, pump valve or motor are broken, it could be the right time to call for help.

This way though you will at least manage give them more information and have managed to avoid having to pay a hefty call-out charge for a clogged filter.