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Dishwasher not draining
The part(s) or condition(s) listed below for the symptom Dishwasher not draining are ordered from most likely to least likely to occur. Check or test each item, starting with the items at the top of the page:
Most Frequent Causes for Dishwasher not draining
Dishwasher Drain Impeller
The drain impeller pushes water through the drain hose and into the garbage disposer or drain line. If the impeller is broken, replace it.
Dishwasher Drain Pump
The drain pump uses an impeller to force water through the drain hose. If the drain pump motor is not working, the dishwasher won't drain. To determine if the drain pump is defective, check the pump motor for continuity using a multimeter. If the motor does not have continuity, or if is getting power but won't run, replace the drain pump. Drain pumps are not repairable, if the drain pump is defective, you must replace it.
Dishwasher Drain Solenoid Kit
The drain solenoid opens the drain valve to allow the water to exit the dishwasher. If the drain solenoid fails the valve will not open causing the dishwasher not to drain.
Dishwasher Drain Valve
Over time, the drain valve can get clogged with debris. To ensure that water can flow through the drain valve, clean out the valve. If the drain valve is clear of debris but it still won't actuate, replace it. Drain valves are not repairable, if the drain valve is defective, you must replace it.
Dishwasher Pump and Motor Assembly
The motor drives an impeller to force water out of the drain hose. If the motor runs during the drain cycle, check for a blockage in the drain line. If the motor won't run during the drain cycle or if it just hums when it should be running, the pump and motor assembly might need to be replaced.
Clogged or Improperly Installed Garbage Disposer
If the garbage disposer was installed recently, the drain plug may not have been removed. All garbage disposers are sold with a solid plug in the drain tube. If the dishwasher is not connected to the garbage disposer, the plug must remain in the drain tube. However, if the dishwasher is connected to the garbage disposer, the plug must be removed. If the garbage disposer wasn't replaced recently, it is possible that the disposer is clogged. Remove the dishwasher drain hose from the disposer and clean out both the fitting on the disposer and the end of the drain hose. These are the most common places to find an obstruction if the dishwasher won't drain.
Dishwasher Check Ball
The check ball is a small plastic ball in the check valve that prevents water from returning to the dishwasher after the dishwasher has drained. If the check ball gets stuck, it will prevent water from draining through the check valve. If the check ball is stuck, try to free it.
Dishwasher Check Valve
The check valve prevents water from returning to the dishwasher after it has drained. If the valve gets stuck closed, it will prevent the water from draining. If the check valve is stuck closed, try cleaning it out and then replace it if necessary.
Dishwasher Drain Hose
The drain hose might be clogged. To unclog the drain hose, remove the drain hose from both the dishwasher and the sink drain and clean it out. The drain hose is most commonly clogged near the garbage disposer or dishwasher drain branch tailpiece.
D/W not draining Video Help? Click the pic------>
Even More D/W Tips:
Q - Do I need to pre-rinse my dishes before putting them into my dishwasher?
A - Scrape excess food into your garbage disposal/disposer but skip the pre-rinsing and save the water. Most modern dishwashers are designed for food particle removal. No rinsing is needed unless your dishes and cookware have been left sitting out for several hours. In that case, you may need to soak them in soapy water to loosen particles before loading into the dishwasher.
Q - What's the proper way to load a dishwasher?
A - Okay, we'll settle the great debate. Here's the proper way to load a dishwasher: Manufacturers advise that cutlery be loaded with the "business" end facing up, a.k.a. the end that touches food. The reason? Better water circulation. Facing the business-end down in the basket restricts water flow. However, sharp knives and utensils should always face down to help prevent injury when unloading the dishwasher. Care should be taken, of course, when removing these utensils from the basket. Dishes and cookware should have exposed surfaces facing the spray arms. Knives and other cutlery with wooden handles are best washed by hand because over time, detergent can cause wood to become brittle and crack. Lower rack: Plates, leaning toward the center near the spray arm. Make sure the surface is exposed! Pots: upside down. Cutting boards should be placed on the outer-most part of the rack. Upper rack: Plastic, glassware, mugs and cups. Make sure to leave space between them so that there's no fear of breakage. Long utensils and knives may block the spray arm in the lower rack so it's best to rest them flat in the upper rack.
Q - How do I know what can be washed in a dishwasher?
A1 - Look for a dishwasher-safe imprint before you place items into your dishwasher. Pay particular attention to plastic food storage containers, which can melt if they come into contact with the heating element at the bottom of the dishwasher. If you're not sure, put them in the top rack only or wash them by hand. If a piece of plastic melts to the heating element, it can be tough to remove it.
A2 - Things we try not putting into our dishwasher.
Q - Which detergent type is better - liquid gel or powder?
A - We recommend the powdered/granular detergents ( example - Cascade ). In recent years, we've found the pod-like, powder detergent-filled, dissolving packets to work well because they reduce likelihood of using too much detergent. We've also found that prominent brands perform better than generic brands.
Q - My dishwasher takes too long. What's wrong?
A - It may be a model that pre-heats the water. If so, and if the water entering the dishwasher is cool, the heater may take up to half an hour to heat the water. To avoid the wait, increase the incoming water temperature before turning on the dishwasher. Do that by running the kitchen sink faucet until the water runs hot. Or increase the temperature of the hot water to the entire house at the hot water heater. Warning! To lessen the risk of scalding, don't set the hot water heater temperature higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Q - There's always water at the bottom of my dishwasher. Why isn't it draining completely?
A - All dishwashers leave a small amount of water at the bottom in order to keep the seals and pump moist. The pump and seals may become brittle and lead to leaks and expensive repairs if left to dry out completely.
Q - My cups and glasses are coming out spotty, cloudy and filmy. What's wrong?
A - For spotting only, try using the heated drying cycle. If that doesn't help, try using a rinse-aid product. For cloudiness or filminess, there are several possible causes: Excessive detergent usage: Etching, or cloudiness, is glass corrosion. It is often caused by using too much detergent. A rainbow hue is the first sign of etching. Cut in half the amount of detergent used. There could be a water flow restriction. You may have hard water.
Dishwasher Repair & Maintenance Parts
Related Links​jeff sr.
Dishwasher not draining
The part(s) or condition(s) listed below for the symptom Dishwasher not draining are ordered from most likely to least likely to occur. Check or test each item, starting with the items at the top of the page:
Most Frequent Causes for Dishwasher not draining
Dishwasher Drain Impeller
The drain impeller pushes water through the drain hose and into the garbage disposer or drain line. If the impeller is broken, replace it.
Dishwasher Drain Pump
The drain pump uses an impeller to force water through the drain hose. If the drain pump motor is not working, the dishwasher won't drain. To determine if the drain pump is defective, check the pump motor for continuity using a multimeter. If the motor does not have continuity, or if is getting power but won't run, replace the drain pump. Drain pumps are not repairable, if the drain pump is defective, you must replace it.
Dishwasher Drain Solenoid Kit
The drain solenoid opens the drain valve to allow the water to exit the dishwasher. If the drain solenoid fails the valve will not open causing the dishwasher not to drain.
Dishwasher Drain Valve
Over time, the drain valve can get clogged with debris. To ensure that water can flow through the drain valve, clean out the valve. If the drain valve is clear of debris but it still won't actuate, replace it. Drain valves are not repairable, if the drain valve is defective, you must replace it.
Dishwasher Pump and Motor Assembly
The motor drives an impeller to force water out of the drain hose. If the motor runs during the drain cycle, check for a blockage in the drain line. If the motor won't run during the drain cycle or if it just hums when it should be running, the pump and motor assembly might need to be replaced.
Clogged or Improperly Installed Garbage Disposer
If the garbage disposer was installed recently, the drain plug may not have been removed. All garbage disposers are sold with a solid plug in the drain tube. If the dishwasher is not connected to the garbage disposer, the plug must remain in the drain tube. However, if the dishwasher is connected to the garbage disposer, the plug must be removed. If the garbage disposer wasn't replaced recently, it is possible that the disposer is clogged. Remove the dishwasher drain hose from the disposer and clean out both the fitting on the disposer and the end of the drain hose. These are the most common places to find an obstruction if the dishwasher won't drain.
Dishwasher Check Ball
The check ball is a small plastic ball in the check valve that prevents water from returning to the dishwasher after the dishwasher has drained. If the check ball gets stuck, it will prevent water from draining through the check valve. If the check ball is stuck, try to free it.
Dishwasher Check Valve
The check valve prevents water from returning to the dishwasher after it has drained. If the valve gets stuck closed, it will prevent the water from draining. If the check valve is stuck closed, try cleaning it out and then replace it if necessary.
Dishwasher Drain Hose
The drain hose might be clogged. To unclog the drain hose, remove the drain hose from both the dishwasher and the sink drain and clean it out. The drain hose is most commonly clogged near the garbage disposer or dishwasher drain branch tailpiece.
D/W not draining Video Help? Click the pic------>
Even More D/W Tips:
Q - Do I need to pre-rinse my dishes before putting them into my dishwasher?
A - Scrape excess food into your garbage disposal/disposer but skip the pre-rinsing and save the water. Most modern dishwashers are designed for food particle removal. No rinsing is needed unless your dishes and cookware have been left sitting out for several hours. In that case, you may need to soak them in soapy water to loosen particles before loading into the dishwasher.
Q - What's the proper way to load a dishwasher?
A - Okay, we'll settle the great debate. Here's the proper way to load a dishwasher: Manufacturers advise that cutlery be loaded with the "business" end facing up, a.k.a. the end that touches food. The reason? Better water circulation. Facing the business-end down in the basket restricts water flow. However, sharp knives and utensils should always face down to help prevent injury when unloading the dishwasher. Care should be taken, of course, when removing these utensils from the basket. Dishes and cookware should have exposed surfaces facing the spray arms. Knives and other cutlery with wooden handles are best washed by hand because over time, detergent can cause wood to become brittle and crack. Lower rack: Plates, leaning toward the center near the spray arm. Make sure the surface is exposed! Pots: upside down. Cutting boards should be placed on the outer-most part of the rack. Upper rack: Plastic, glassware, mugs and cups. Make sure to leave space between them so that there's no fear of breakage. Long utensils and knives may block the spray arm in the lower rack so it's best to rest them flat in the upper rack.
Q - How do I know what can be washed in a dishwasher?
A1 - Look for a dishwasher-safe imprint before you place items into your dishwasher. Pay particular attention to plastic food storage containers, which can melt if they come into contact with the heating element at the bottom of the dishwasher. If you're not sure, put them in the top rack only or wash them by hand. If a piece of plastic melts to the heating element, it can be tough to remove it.
A2 - Things we try not putting into our dishwasher.
Q - Which detergent type is better - liquid gel or powder?
A - We recommend the powdered/granular detergents ( example - Cascade ). In recent years, we've found the pod-like, powder detergent-filled, dissolving packets to work well because they reduce likelihood of using too much detergent. We've also found that prominent brands perform better than generic brands.
Q - My dishwasher takes too long. What's wrong?
A - It may be a model that pre-heats the water. If so, and if the water entering the dishwasher is cool, the heater may take up to half an hour to heat the water. To avoid the wait, increase the incoming water temperature before turning on the dishwasher. Do that by running the kitchen sink faucet until the water runs hot. Or increase the temperature of the hot water to the entire house at the hot water heater. Warning! To lessen the risk of scalding, don't set the hot water heater temperature higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Q - There's always water at the bottom of my dishwasher. Why isn't it draining completely?
A - All dishwashers leave a small amount of water at the bottom in order to keep the seals and pump moist. The pump and seals may become brittle and lead to leaks and expensive repairs if left to dry out completely.
Q - My cups and glasses are coming out spotty, cloudy and filmy. What's wrong?
A - For spotting only, try using the heated drying cycle. If that doesn't help, try using a rinse-aid product. For cloudiness or filminess, there are several possible causes: Excessive detergent usage: Etching, or cloudiness, is glass corrosion. It is often caused by using too much detergent. A rainbow hue is the first sign of etching. Cut in half the amount of detergent used. There could be a water flow restriction. You may have hard water.
Dishwasher Repair & Maintenance Parts
Related Links​jeff sr.