10 reasons Why Dishwasher is not draining

A dishwasher may have number of issues that can make it not to work properly. These issues can range from the dishwasher not draining properly or not having hot water. Some of the most common dishwasher issues include:

Dishwasher not draining properly: This can be caused by a clog in the dishwasher’s drain hose or by the dishwasher’s pump not being powerful enough to push the water through the hose.
dishwasher not draining

Dishwasher not getting hot enough water: This can be caused by number of things, including water heater not being set high enough, the dishwasher not being connected to the hot water line, or the dishwasher’s heating element not working properly.

Dishwasher not cleaning properly: If your dishwasher is leaving spots on dishes, try using a different detergent. If that doesn’t work, the problem could be with the water supply, and you may need to have a plumber check the water pressure. This can be caused by a number of things, including the dishwasher not having enough water pressure, the water not being hot enough, the dishwasher not being filled with the correct amount of detergent, or the dishwasher’s spray arm not working properly.

-If your dishwasher is leaking, the problem could be with the door seal, and you may need to replace the seal. If the dishwasher is not draining properly, the problem could be with the drain hose, and you may need to clean the hose or replace it.

Few common causes behind your dishwasher not draining properly:

Identifying the type of drain connection under the sink is the first step in troubleshooting an undrained dishwasher. View the corrugated dishwasher drain hose’s arrangement and how it links to the sink drain by opening the cabinet. If and when the dishwasher’s drain issue is with the drain part outside of the appliance, the next steps don’t all have to be carried out. Continue doing so until you identify what is causing the dishwasher drain issue. Diagnose the issue with the dishwasher directly if none of these plumbing problems appear to be the cause.

  1. If the dishwasher is not draining properly or is leaving standing water, the drain hose may be clogged. If you think that something is blocking the dishwasher’s drain hose then check the hose for any kinks, blockages, or bends that could be preventing water from draining properly
  2. The dishwasher’s drain pump is not working correctly. If the pump is damaged or not working properly, it will prevent the dishwasher from draining properly.
  3. The dishwasher’s float switch is not functioning correctly. The float switch signals to the dishwasher when there is too much water in the tub and needs to be drained. If the float switch is not working, the dishwasher will not know when to drain and will remain full of water.
  4. There is a clog in the dishwasher’s drainage system. This can happen if food or other debris gets caught in the drains and causes a blockage.
  5. The dishwasher’s filters are dirty or clogged. Dishwashers have filters that help to catch food and other debris before it enters the drainage system. If these filters are dirty or clogged, they can prevent water from draining properly out of the dishwasher.
  6. The gasket around the door of the dishwasher is leaking water back into tub instead of allowing it to drain out. Inspect door gasket for any rips, tears, or holes that might be causing water to leak back into tub instead of draining out.
  7. The Inlet Valve which allows water into your machine may be defective
  8. Drain Line Restriction – A kinked or crushed drain line between your DW & household plumbing can cause this problem.
  9. Drain Pump Failure – Your appliance will need service if this part has failed.
  10. Your house’s Main Sewer Line Is Clogged – This would require a licensed plumber with special equipment to clear.
  11. Clogged Spray Bars- Sometimes, unclean dishes can be the result of your spray bars, or spray arms, becoming clogged with food particles. Both the upper and lower spray bars are prone to collecting, and trapping, food particles.

It might be challenging to identify a dishwasher that won’t drain correctly because there are so many potential causes. Sometimes the problem is a plumbing one, so rather than identifying it in the dishwasher or its parts, you should call for professional help.

Here are some of the few obvious signs that a clog is the reason behind Your Dishwasher not draining properly:

1. Gurgling Sounds Can Be Heard

When your dishwasher is running, unusual gurgling, shaking, or pounding sounds could be the result of water trying to pass through a clog in your primary or secondary sewer line.

2. Water from your dishwasher is backed up in your sink.

The drainage system in your kitchen sink is linked to your dishwasher. It’s probable that your dishwasher has a blockage if water starts backing up into your sink while it’s running. If you run your waste disposal while the dishwasher is off, you can rule out a clog. It’s possible that food stuck in the sink is to blame, in which case your dishwasher is working properly.

3. Your dishwasher is draining slowly.

If you see water collecting in the bottom of your dishwasher or sink, there may be a clog or partial clog in your kitchen sewage line. As soon as you can, unclog the partial obstruction to prevent it from growing into a more expensive issue.

4. Following the cycle, you notice water backup in the dishwasher.

Following a wash cycle, standing water in your dishwasher indicates improper draining. This is due to the drainage system being clogged by residual food. Examine and clean the drain basket in your dishwasher. If this doesn’t solve the issue, your drains can be clogged.

5. You get unclean dishes even after the wash

If your dishes are still dirty after your wash cycle is finished, the dishwasher might not be filled with water. Your main or secondary sewer line is clogged, which is the source of this.

6. The Smell of Your Dishwasher is stingy

A clogged filter basket is frequently to blame if your dishwasher has an unpleasant odor. Larger food particles are screened out by the filter, so they won’t clog the drain. In the absence of routine cleanings, these particles will accumulate and degrade, producing odors and perhaps obstructing the drain.

Solutions for the problem of dishwasher not draining properly:

Unfortunately, if your dishwasher won’t drain, here’s a problem you need to fix in order to fix it. You basically have to go through the list of potential problems from the most accessible to the least accessible and test them. Drain pumps can be very low on this list. You should of course check the clogs first as they are easier to check.

If the dishwasher isn’t draining, a clogged drain hose is usually the culprit. If you’re lucky, you can clear the blockage with vinegar and baking soda. Otherwise, the drain hose must be disconnected, which may require disassembly of the dishwasher. If you need to disassemble the dishwasher, you should check the drain pump and possibly the check valve (depending on the dishwasher) when it is ready to use.

To unclog a blocked drain; the drain hose is located at the back of the dishwasher, and it drains the water into the garbage disposal. You can even use a camera to access the drain hose to see if it is clogged or not.

Till you wait to call a professional to clear the drain hose, you can follow these steps.

– Unplug the dishwasher and turn off the water.

– Use a screwdriver to unscrew the hose from the back of the dishwasher.

– remove the hose from the garbage disposal and clear it out with a plunger.

– Once the hose is clear, screw it back onto the dishwasher and turn on the water.

– turn on the dishwasher and see if the problem is fixed. If the problem is still occurring, you may need to call a professional to service your dishwasher.

When we’re faced with a dishwasher that won’t drain, one of the above techniques can usually do the trick. If you’ve tried all of these tricks to no avail, the problem could be a faulty dishwasher pump or the dishwasher’s timer or motherboard. Replacement of these special parts should only be done by a licensed plumber.

Therefore, if this happens to you, please consult a professional that can be trusted. MN Appliances is one such authentic place where you can find professionals trained in their field of work, so that they can handle your appliance troubles for you effectively as well as efficiently.