At a Glance:
How to Fix a Backed-Up Garbage Disposal
How to Fix a Clogged Dishwasher Filter
How to fix a Bent Dishwasher Hose
How to fix a Clogged Dishwasher Hose
It’s smelly, it’s messy, and it’s a total nuisance. When you’re having issues with water not draining from dishwasher, you’re dealing with an unsanitary appliance, not to mention the added cost of having to do the dishes by hand. We’re here to tell you the good news: learning how to drain a dishwasher is easy, and in most cases, you don’t need a professional to troubleshoot the problem. Even if you aren’t experiencing problems with your dishwasher not draining currently, having the knowledge beforehand can help to prevent dishwasher repairs in the future and keep your appliance working in tip-top shape.
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DishwashersHere are four reasons your dishwasher might not be draining, along with how to solve each problem.
A Backed-Up Garbage Disposal
Dishwashers can be installed with a dishwasher hose connecting to either a sink, air gap, or garbage disposal. In each case, the hose should be in a “high loop” position. All that means is that the incoming dishwasher hose should rise above the P-trap to avoid unwanted odors or dirty water from entering the dishwasher.
If your kitchen sink setup has a garbage disposal, the first place you want to troubleshoot is that area. Harder materials often get stuck in the food grinder, causing the motor to jam and water to become stagnant. When that happens, dirty, backed-up water can re-enter the dishwasher.
Luckily, this is simple to fix. Simply run your disposal; if the motor is stuck, use an Allen wrench/hex wrench, and insert it into the groove below the disposal. Turn it a few times to loosen any blockages that might be the reason for a dishwasher not draining.
A Clogged Dishwasher Filter
For households with no garbage disposal, or if that simply didn’t do the trick, the next place to investigate is the dishwasher filter. This mesh basket serves as a basin that collects food debris during a wash, allowing the dishwater to be as clean as possible. This reduces specks and food deposits that can form on the surface of dishes, but some models — particularly low-end dishwashers — require routine cleaning to keep their dishwasher filters from working properly.
There are models that feature no-maintenance filter baskets, like this Beko dishwasher with an EverClean Filter that sieves food through a fine mesh using high water pressure. You still might need to do the occasional inspection and cleaning, but there’s less of a chance that this will be the reason your dishwasher won’t drain.
Fortunately, cleaning the filter is about as easy as it gets. Here’s how:
- Start by locating the filter. Usually, it’s on the bottom of the tub beneath the spray arms.
- Next, unscrew the filter by turning it counterclockwise. Some models may require you to unscrew the filter from the tub using a screwdriver.
- Once loosened, run the filter under a running faucet and use a brush to loosen any debris. You can use a mild detergent, baking soda, and vinegar for a deeper clean.
- After cleaning, replace the filter.
- Run the dishwasher to determine whether a clogged filter was the reason for your dishwasher not draining.
A Bent Dishwasher Hose
Not the filter? Then it’s time to start looking at the hidden components of a dishwasher. Specifically, the dishwasher drain hose. There are two places where the dishwasher hose can be located: under the sink and behind the dishwasher's front panel. If a dishwasher hose is installed incorrectly — for instance, not suspended in a high loop — bends can prevent water from exiting the dishwasher and even push it back into the appliance.
Unfortunately, most of the time there’s a bend in a dishwasher hose, it’s from behind the panel, which means you’ll need some tools to troubleshoot the problem. Here’s how to check for a bent dishwasher hose:
- Begin by disconnecting the power to your dishwasher.
- Next, disconnect the hose from the sink or garbage disposal by pinching the clamp.
- Once disconnected, take off the front kickplate located below the dishwasher door. Depending on the model, this part will either snap off, or you’ll need to use a screwdriver to remove the screws holding the plate in place.
- After unscrewing the kickplate, gently remove the hose from the line and inspect the hose for cracks, bends, or any other signs of damage. A key indication will be water leakage.
- If there is damage to the dishwasher hose, the entire part will need to be replaced.
Fortunately, this is a pretty simple fix but plan on spending about an hour doing the job and about $30 for a new hose.
A Clogged Dishwasher Hose
Even if a kink in a dishwasher hose isn’t the issue, disassembling a dishwasher’s front panel is the perfect opportunity to inspect for any clogs. Since corrugated hoses have crimps, debris and food can accumulate over time, especially when a dishwasher filter isn’t cleaned regularly. As you know by now, that creates a blockage that prevents water from draining, resulting in a pool of water in the tub.
To unclog the line, follow the steps above to remove the dishwasher hose. Then, simply run high-pressure water through the line to dislodge any buildup. This can be done with a garden hose or with a retractable showerhead with the spray attachment removed.
Cost to Repair a Dishwasher
Unfortunately, dishwashers don’t last forever, so if you have a machine older than 10 years old, it may not be working properly simply because it can’t. A bad motor and pump are two of the most common reasons for a dishwasher not draining, and both will set you back around $400.
A good rule of thumb is a dishwasher repair shouldn’t cost more than 50 percent of the price of the machine, so if your diagnostic exceeds those numbers, a better option might be to upgrade altogether. If you ask us, here are three great dishwashers to consider.
Samsung 24” Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Built In Dishwasher
If you need a reliable, affordable dishwasher, this Samsung dishwashing machine is worth checking out. “The price was really good for the value,” says one review, and we agree. With this appliance, you get ENERGY STAR rated performance, powerful StormWash technology that uses a wall of water to cover every dish, and a third rack for extra storage flexibility. Having a sleek design with a pocket handle and a top-control panel is an additional perk.
Samsung DW80R5060US Dishwasher Reviews
Beko 24” Fingerprint Free Stainless Steel Built In Dishwasher
We mentioned this pick above and how its filter makes maintenance a breeze, but there’s even more to rave about this dishwasher. For starters, it’s from Beko, so you know it runs efficiently, saving you money on water and energy. It’s also easy to load with an adjustable rack and upper third rack for a total of 16 place settings. Upgrades like the CornerIntense that tackles heavy-duty messes and DeepWash technology that cleans tall dishes further showcase how much value this stainless steel dishwasher from Beko brings to the table.
Miele 24” Clean Touch Steel Built-in Dishwasher
Miele is considered a leader in the dishwasher industry, and it’s easy to see why. On top of its incredible quality of materials, Miele dishwashers perform like commercial dishwashing machines, from the QuickIntenseWash mode that cleans in under an hour to the EcoPower Technology that uses less than three gallons of water per load.
Whether you’ve been searching for answers to “Why is my dishwasher not draining,” or “How to drain a dishwasher,” we hope our experts have been able to guide you through the process and have a kitchen that’s in running order. But if you’re still figuring it out, let us help you even more! Our trained service team offers only the best with “Top 100 Servicer” experts who can help figure out the culprit of your dishwasher not draining and whether it’s time to replace it. Visit us today or browse our dishwasher catalog online to see what’s in store!
Why Trust Don’s Appliances?
Founded in 1971, Don’s Appliances is a family-owned, independent appliance retailer based out of Pittsburgh, PA. Don’s has since expanded to 10 locations selling, delivering, installing, and servicing all major appliance brands. Large enough to offer competitive pricing yet small enough to continue offering the “white glove” service we pride ourselves on, our focus is always on the customer experience — from the first step into a showroom to the purchase transaction to well after your new appliance has been installed.
When our customers are remodeling or building a new house, Don’s has all the expertise, product knowledge, inventory, brands, displays, and services to meet and exceed your needs. And in the event an appliance breaks, we are there, right on time and with the right product, delivery, installation, and service.
Shop Dishwashers at Don’s
Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today, and shop dishwashers online at Don’s Appliance. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you find out repair or replace a dishwasher not draining — whether you call us at 866-544-1711, email us, or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by any of our Don’s Appliances Pittsburgh, PA warehouse locations. Visit us today!
Learn More: How to Fix a Dishwasher