Why is My Dishwasher Not Draining?

No-one wants to open their dishwasher and discover it hasn’t emptied correctly but, don’t overreact just yet. You might have the means to solve the error before you have to call a plumber or invest in a brand-new machine.

Standing water in your dishwasher could have any number of of causes some of which can be easy to figure out. So, before you call a dishwasher repair service here is a list of probable issues you could correct by yourself. A few of which are not even caused by the machine itself.

Ensure the dishwasher wasn’t interrupted mid-cycle

It is probable that there is nothing preventing your machine from emptying. Instead, the program may have been interrupted.

The cycle might have been cut short for multiple of reasons. Kids pushing controls, accidentally pressing against the buttons, a power outage or opening the dishwasher mid-program may all stop the program from completing and mean your machine doesn’t empty.

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

Some dishwashers could have an empty program meaning it’s well worth checking your instruction manual or checking online to find out.

Check the disposal

If your dishwasher is plumbed into a disposal examine this before you move on as a blocked disposal will block the dishwasher from draining. Turn on the garbage disposal using fast running water to make sure there are no blockages.

If you do discover an obstruction drain cleaner or a natural alternative may be employed to clear the obstruction and so this may deal with the issue.

Examine the sink waste for issues

If you sink is emptying inefficiently this may signify a plumbing issue instead of a fault with your machine.

If the sink is draining inefficiently you may attempt putting a little bicarb and vinegar down the drain, leaving it for a while, then rinsing it away with boiling water.

A plunger might also be used to attempt to shift the obstruction.

This might be enough to let your appliance to work again so run a quick rinse and empty program now. If this hasn’t sorted the issue you could remove the standing water by hand using a bowl and a sponge and troubleshoot the next few possible issues.

At this point make certain to disconnect the machine to stay safe.

If during one of these examinations you believe you have found and solved the issue there is no need to continue to the next issue. Just complete an empty cycle to make sure your machine is fixed.

Check and wash the filters

Corn Kernels, paper from food jars, film covers and broken glass, plus scraps of food, could all block the machine filter. Clear film could also be hard to spot if you aren’t looking for it.

Remove the filter then clean it thoroughly before replacing it. Not all machines have their filter in the same place so you might need to consult the instruction manual for this.

Is the waste water hose blocked?

The next place to check is the waste hose. Stuck food, a kink in the hose or a crushed hose may all stop your dishwasher from emptying.

Contingent upon the position of the waste hose (usually the corrugated one) you may be able to view it simply by removing the kick board or you may need to pull the machine away from the wall.

Look at the pipe first to see if there are any kinks or it’s been squashed. You might be able to manually fix any kinks which is likely to rectify the issue, but be aware that when this has occurred the probability of it occurring again is massively increased so you may need to purchase a spare hose.

If you can’t find an issue you may take off the drain hose from the machine and blow through it to discover any blockages. Make sure you line the floor with newspaper or towels first as even if you have emptied the machine there could still be dirty water in the pipe.

If you are unable to blow air through the pipe this might be the reason your machine isn’t emptying.

Take off the other end of the hose and give it a good clean to clear the blockage. If you are unable to dislodge the obstruction or the pipe is split or damaged invest in a new one. If you can remove the obstruction then put the hose back and start a quick program to find out if you have fixed the fault.

You may also examine the point where the hose attaches to the sink. This is a typical spot for blockages to occur so if you do remove the pipe give this area a thorough scrub as well.

Examine the drain valve

You could inspect the drain valve by hand to make sure it isn’t seized. The drain valve will usually be located at the base of the dishwasher on the valve bracket. Consult your instruction manual if you can’t see it.

Pushing down on the valve or giving it a jiggle should be enough to find out if it’s stuck. If you are able to see an object stopping it from moving remove this. If you are unable to, this may be when you should call a repair person unless you are confident in ordering and repairing the component on your own.

Check your pump is not blocked

Your dishwasher pump uses impellers that could get blocked by broken glass or other debris. Check your impellers aren’t obstructed by taking off the safety cover and making sure the impellers can be easily rotated.

Listen to your dishwasher while it’s on

If your dishwasher sounds unusual your pump or motor might be faulty and need to be repaired.

Call a plumber

If none of the above examinations has repaired the error, or you think the pump, pump valve or motor are not working, it could be time to call for help.

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