Why is My Dishwasher Not Draining?

No-one wishes to open their dishwasher and discover standing water but, don’t overreact just yet. You may have the means to fix the issue without having to call a repair person or acquire a brand-new machine.

Standing water in your machine may have any number of of causes a few of which are simple to rectify. So, in advance of calling a dishwasher repair service try this selection of probable components you may correct on your own. A proportion of which aren’t even related to the machine itself.

Ensure the program wasn’t interrupted

It is possible that there is nothing preventing your dishwasher from emptying. Instead, the program might have been stopped mid-way.

The cycle may have been stopped mid-way for multiple of reasons. Kids pushing buttons, mistakenly pressing against the control panel, a power surge or opening the machine mid-cycle may all interrupt the program and mean your dishwasher doesn’t drain.

If you think this may be the circumstance, or you think it might be a good idea to check start your dishwasher again on a quick program.

A few machines may have an empty program meaning it’s worth checking your instructions or consulting google to check.

Check the waste disposal

If your dishwasher is connected to a waste disposal check this before you move on as a blocked waste disposal will block the dishwasher from emptying. Run the garbage disposal with plenty of water to check there are no obstructions.

If you do uncover an issue drain un-blocker or a natural alternative can be sought after to clear the obstruction and this could solve the fault.

Inspect the sink waste for blockages

If you sink is draining reluctantly this could suggest a plumbing issue instead of an issue with your machine.

If the sink is emptying inefficiently you could attempt putting a little bicarb and vinegar down the drain, letting it sit for a while and subsequently washing it away with hot water.

A sink plunger could also be used to attempt to remove the obstruction.

This might be enough to allow the dishwasher to work again so start a short cycle at this point. If this hasn’t worked you could manually drain the dishwasher using a jug and also a sponge and troubleshoot a few more possible issues.

Make sure you turn off the dishwasher to prevent electrocution.

If in the process of one of these examinations you suspect you have detected and fixed the issue there is no need to continue to the next issue. Just run an empty program to make sure your machine is repaired.

Inspect and scrub the filters

Any number of things could block the filters including popcorn, paper from food jars, film lids and smashed glass. Clear plastic lids may also be difficult to see if you don’t look carefully.

Remove the filter then give it a good scrub before putting it back in place. Not all dishwashers have their filter in the same location so you could need to consult the instruction manual for this.

Is the waste water hose obstructed?

The next area to check is the drain pipe. 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 can all stop your machine from emptying.

Depending on the location of the waste pipe (generally the ribbed one) you might manage inspect it by means of taking off the kick plate or you might need to move the machine away from under the counter.

Look at the hose in the first instance to discover if it has been crushed or kinked. You may have the means to fix these issues by hand which is likely to rectify the issue, however, it’s worth noting that once this has happened it is much more inclined to happen again so you might need to purchase a spare hose.

If you are unable to see an issue you may disconnect the waste water pipe from the machine and blow through 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 hose.

If you can’t blow air through the waste hose this could be the problem.

Disconnect the other end of the hose in order to give it a good flush through to get rid of the blockage. If you are unable to dislodge the obstruction or the pipe is cracked or degraded buy a new one. If you could get rid of the obstruction then replace the hose and start a short cycle to find out if you have solved the issue.

You could also examine where the pipe attaches to the waste disposal. This is a typical point for a build-up of gunk so if you do take off the waste pipe give this point a good scrub as well.

Inspect the drain valve

You may check the drain valve by hand to make sure it isn’t got stuck. The drain valve will most often be found in the bottom of the dishwasher on the valve bracket. Consult your instructions if you’re unsure.

Depressing the valve or wiggling it a bit should be adequate to let you know if it’s seized. If you can see an object blocking it get rid of this. If you can’t, this could be the right time to get in touch with a plumber unless you are undaunted by ordering and replacing the part on your own.

Examine your pump is not broken

Your dishwasher pump makes use of impellers that can become obstructed by pieces of glass or other debris. Check your impellers aren’t blocked by removing the safety cover and checking that the impellers can rotate freely.

Listen to your dishwasher while it’s on

If it doesn’t sound right your dishwasher pump or motor may be faulty and need replacing.

Call a repair person

If you have been through the above list and the problem persists, or you have reason to believe the pump, pump valve or motor are not working, it could be time to call your local repair person.

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

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