Dishwashers
Dishwasher Not Draining? A 10-Minute Checklist Before You Call
Standing water in the dishwasher is often a clog you can clear yourself. Six checks in order; if none of them fix it, it is time for a technician.
By Jax Appliance Pros · · 5 min read
A dishwasher with an inch of dirty water in the bottom is one of the few appliance problems worth ten minutes of your own time before you call, because a fair share of them are simple clogs. Turn off the dishwasher at the breaker before you reach inside, then work through this list in order.
1. Run the garbage disposal
Most dishwashers drain through the disposal. If the disposal is full of food, the dishwasher cannot push water past it. Run the disposal with cold water for 30 seconds, then run a drain cycle on the dishwasher.
2. Check for a knockout plug
If the dishwasher has never drained since a new disposal was installed, the plastic knockout plug inside the disposal's dishwasher inlet was probably never removed. The drain hose must come off and the plug punched out. This is the most common cause on new installations.
3. Clean the filter
Modern dishwashers have a removable cylindrical filter in the floor of the tub. Twist it out, rinse it under the tap and clear any debris from the sump underneath. Do this monthly from now on.
4. Check the air gap
If you have a small chrome cylinder next to your faucet, unscrew the cap and clear any debris inside. A clogged air gap stops drainage cold.
5. Inspect the drain hose
Pull the dishwasher's kick panel and look at the drain hose under the sink. It should rise in a high loop before connecting to the disposal or drain, with no kinks. A hose that runs straight and low can siphon water back into the tub.
6. Look for an error code
Bosch E24 and E25, Whirlpool and KitchenAid F8E4, Samsung 5C and OC, LG OE: all of these are drain faults. A code that persists after the steps above means the pump or a sensor has failed.
When it is time to call
- The dishwasher hums during the drain cycle but the water does not move: the drain pump is jammed or its impeller has broken.
- It makes no noise at all during drain: the pump has failed electrically or the control is not sending power.
- Water is leaking under the unit: stop using it and call.
Our technicians carry drain pumps for the major brands, so the repair is usually finished the same visit. Repairs start at $179 plus parts, and the $79 diagnostic is waived when you approve the work.
Schedule dishwasher repair or call (904) 561-4790.
About Jax Appliance Pros
Locally owned appliance repair for Jacksonville, the Beaches, St. Johns, Clay and Nassau counties. Same-day or next-day service on refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, ovens, cooktops, ranges and garbage disposals. $79 diagnostic waived with the repair, 90-day parts-and-labor warranty, licensed and insured. More about us.