Dishwasher Is Not Draining

Dishwashers are amazing machines when they work right! Unfortunately, they aren’t immune to problems and when they do occur it can be very difficult to know what to do. So, if your dishwasher suddenly stops draining how do you go about fixing it?

Your first thought might be the pump or drain and while they are two of the most common causes of a dishwasher not draining they aren’t the only issues you need to be aware of. Remember while you might be able to fix the problem yourself the best option is to call in a professional dishwasher repair engineer to handle it for you.

But we can still help you identify the problem and who knows you might be lucky and it could turn out to be a simple, quick fix! Let’s take a look at the possible reasons why your dishwasher could be refusing to drain.

The Drain

Let’s get the big one out of the way, first shall we? Unfortunately, because there are so many models and types of dishwasher there is no one single design for the drain. Drain pumps come in many different designs so consult your instructions manual to find out where you drain is located and to find out how you can get access to it.

Once you know hot access it checking it out for possible obstructions should be relatively simple, if your pump features a motor and there are no noticeable obstructions then the issue could be with that. If you are having trouble locating you drain then call in a professional dishwasher repair technician, don’t try to disassemble anything as that can cause more harm later on.

The Food Chopper

Just like the drain the food chopper can become blocked and cause problems with your dishwasher draining. If there are not any noticeable obstructions try checking to see if the chopper can spin smoothly, if it can’t then it could be damaged internally and need replacing.

The Timer

More modern models of dishwasher will usually feature a control panel at the top with the timer included, while older ones will usually just have a timer dial. It doesn’t matter what type you have as any kind of timer can cause drainage problems when it isn’t working correctly.

You can check issues with the timer using a multi-meter, but you will likely need an experienced repairman to handle any complex rewiring or replacements for you.

Drain Hose

The drain hose is something that many people surprisingly fail to check when faced with a drainage issue. If the front of the drain is clear, then it’s easy to think that the drain isn’t the problem but in many cases, the actual blockage is deep in the drain hose itself.

If the drain hose is clogged or restricted in some way, then your dishwasher won’t drain or will only partly drain. Kinks in hoses are common problems but if they are left unchecked they can grow into larger problems, there could also be food waste or other debris blocking the hose as well.

Checking and removing these blockages and straightening out kinks requires experienced hands and usually, your dishwasher will need some disassembly as well. So, if you suspect a block in your dishwasher’s drain hose call in a dishwasher repair company.

Drain Belt

Now not all models of dishwasher will feature drain belts but for models that do it should be one of the first things you check if your dishwasher suddenly stops draining. So, what is a drain belt? It might sound like a fashion endeavour doomed to fail but it’s actually more practical.

A drain belt is used on belt driven pumps and is commonly used in older models of dishwashers. Sometimes the belts can lose their grip and will come off the motor, which will stop your dishwasher from draining.

Thankfully inspecting this is usually a straightforward matter although you may need to call in an expert to handle the repair for you. If the belt as just come off the pump and is undamaged it can usually just be put back but if it’s damaged it will need to be replaced.

So, that’s a look at some of the more common causes of a dishwasher not draining. The clean-up might be messy but thankfully in the majority of cases solving the problem can be pretty straightforward. Especially when you call in an experienced repairman to handle the job for you. Our tips will help you identify the problem and they will help you fix it.