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KitchenAid dishwasher not draining
Common reasons your KitchenAid dishwasher is not draining
The most common reasons your KitchenAid dishwasher is not draining are a failed drain pump, cracked drain hose or a defective electronic control board.
48% of the time it's the Drain Pump
22% of the time it's the Drain Hose
11% of the time it's the Electronic Control Board
19% of the time it's the Something else
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Most common repairs needed to fix a KitchenAid dishwasher
Drain Pump Replacement
A dishwasher that’s not draining often has a failed drain pump. The drain pump motor could be bad or the drain pump impeller could be damaged. The drain pump may make a loud noise when the impeller is damaged. The motor may make a loud buzzing noise or not make any noise at all if it isn’t spinning the impeller during the drain portion of the dishwashing cycle. The drain pump is hard to access so you’ll need to have a Sears Home Services Technician check out the drain pump and replace it if it isn’t working.
Drain Hose Replacement
When the dishwasher will not drain properly, a cracked or clogged drain hose could be causing the failure. The drain hose connect to the drain pump and carries wastewater to the sink drain. The drain hose has a check valve to prevent drain water from siphoning back into the dishwasher at the end of the drain routine. A cracked hose or check valve can let water blow back into the tub when the drain pump stops. Accessing the drain hose is difficult so you’ll need to have a Sears Home Services Repair Expert fix the drain hose when it’s cracked or damaged.
Electronic Control Board Replacement
If your dishwasher is not draining, you can suspect that it has a defective electronic control board if the drain pump doesn’t run. The control board should send electrical current to the drain pump during the drain portion of the dishwashing cycle. A failed relay or corrupted logic on the circuit board could prevent the control board from sending electrical current to the drain pump. Determining whether an electronic control board is defective is difficult. Have a Sears Home Services Repair Expert visit your home and fix the dishwasher when it is not draining.
What to expect when you experience a KitchenAid dishwasher not draining issue
How is the not draining problem fixed?
Correcting most not draining problems usually involves replacing the drain pump, drain hose or electronic control board. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.
Sears Home Services recommendations for a dishwasher that is not draining
When the dishwasher is not draining it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of dishwasher failures.
What to look out for with a dishwasher not draining diagnosis
Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your dishwasher problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.
How do you fix a KitchenAid dishwasher that is not draining?
When your Kitchen Aid dishwasher is not draining, check the kitchen sink drain. A garbage disposal that is full of food scraps won’t allow the dishwasher to drain. Run the garbage disposal to clear it and allow the dishwasher to drain.
If the kitchen sink is clogged, the dishwasher won’t be able to drain. Have a plumber fix the kitchen sink drain if it’s clogged.
Here’s a DIY troubleshooting video that shows how to check the common issues that will prevent your KitchenAid dishwasher from draining:
Here are the expert tips for fixing your KitchenAid dishwasher when it isn't draining that are covered in that video.
If you recently installed a new garbage disposal, failing to remove the knock-out plug on the garbage disposal dishwasher drain connection will keep the dishwasher from draining. Remove that knock-out plug according to the guidelines in the garbage disposal installation guide if you failed to remove it when installing the new garbage disposal.
A clogged drain hose can prevent the dishwasher from draining. Check the end of the drain hose for grease buildup and/or debris. Clear the drain hose so the dishwasher will drain freely.
If your Kitchen Aid dishwasher is still not draining, check the air gap on the sink if you have one installed in the dishwasher drain line. Clean the air gap if it’s clogged.
If these basic troubleshooting tips don’t help you resolve the problem with your Kitchen Aid dishwasher not draining, schedule dishwasher repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician diagnose and repair the drain problem in your dishwasher.
One of these problems could be preventing the dishwasher from draining:
- Failed drain pump.
- Defective electronic control board.
- Clog in dishwasher sump.
- Wiring failure.
Our experienced technician will be able to quickly determine the cause of the drain failure and will repair the dishwasher in no time.
When you need KitchenAid dishwasher repair, trust the pros at Sears Home Services to fix the problem.
How to replace a KitchenAid dishwasher drain pump?
This DIY video gives step-by-step instructions on how to replace a KitchenAid dishwasher drain pump:
If the moving parts of the pump are damaged, the dishwasher might not drain, even if the pump runs and the drain path is clear. Or the pump motor could be the problem if the pump doesn’t run at all during the drain cycle.
Here are the steps for replacing the drain pump in a KitchenAid dishwasher:
- Shut off electrical power: Unplug the dishwasher or shut off the house circuit breaker for the dishwasher. To verify that power is disconnected, make sure the control panel doesn’t light up when you press a control button or the power button.
- Remove the outer door panel and control panel: Remove the Torx screws from the inner door panel, supporting the outer door panel with one hand as you remove the final 2 screws so the outer door panel doesn't fall. Separate the outer door panel and control panel from the inner door panel, and let the outer panel rest on the floor while you disconnect the user interface control wire harness from the control panel. Pull off the outer door panel and control panel.
- Remove the bottom front access panel and toe panel: Using a nut driver, remove the screws that hold the bottom front access panel and toe panel in place. Pull the access panel and the toe panel forward and remove them.
- Remove the drain pump: Lay a towel under the drain pump to catch water. Reach under the dishwasher and squeeze the wire hose clamp that holds the drain hose on the drain pump—use channel-lock pliers if necessary. Pull the drain hose off the drain pump. Remove the wire harness from the drain pump. Press down on the locking tab and then rotate the pump 1/4 turn counterclockwise to pull it out of the sump. Remove the towel.
- Install the new drain pump: Lubricate the O-ring water seal on the new drain pump with a light coat of rinse aid to prevent leaks. Insert the new drain pump in the sump opening and then rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise so the locking tab snaps into place. Plug the wire harness into the receptacle on the drain pump. Reinstall the drain hose on the outlet of the drain pump. Use the wire clamp to secure the drain hose on the drain pump outlet.
- Reinstall the bottom front access panel and toe panel: Position the toe panel on the dishwasher and then position the access panel in front of the toe panel. Insert the mounting screws and tighten the screws firmly.
- Reinstall the outer door panel and control panel: Position the outer door panel and control panel close enough to the inner door so you can reconnect the user interface control wire harness. Reconnect the user interface control wire harness and attach the outer door panel and control panel to the inner door panel. Reinstall the mounting screws.
- Restore electrical power: Reset the house circuit breaker or plug in the dishwasher to restore electrical power.
If you’re not completely confident that you can safely complete this repair on your own, schedule service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to replace the drain pump.
If your KitchenAid ends each cycle with water pooling, a clogged drain line or broken pump could be stopping the outflow. Scooping water is messy—hire dishwasher fix near me.
What our customers say about us
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Thorough
James called to give an estimated arrival time. He was professional and personable. He had 2 professional ideas of the problem and found 1 was correct, but he didn't stop there. He did a thorough check of the appliance. 1 small part was needed. He ordered the part to my house. Fortunately, he was able to schedule for the next week, just before Thanksgiving. As before, he called ahead, arrived and quickly fixed the problem. My appliance is working perfectly.
Kirsten A, Oxford, PA
Service Call
Luke was great. Polite and knowledgeable even though the dishwasher was older than he!
James G, Hillsboro, MO
Daniel
Daniel went above and beyond to fix my dish washer. Very pleasant to deal with.
Paul F, Hghlnds Ranch, CO
Frequently Asked Questions
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Glossary Terms
A dishwasher gasket is a flexible seal that prevents water from leaking out of the dishwasher door during operation. It's crucial for maintaining the appliance's efficiency and preventing water damage.
A dishwasher impeller is a rotating component within the dishwasher's pump that circulates water throughout the unit during a wash cycle, ensuring efficient cleaning by spraying water at high pressure.
A dishwasher sump is located at the bottom of the dishwasher, serving as a collection point for water during the wash cycle. It houses the main pump and filter, facilitating the recirculation and drainage of water, essential for the cleaning process.
A dishwasher turbidity sensor is an advanced feature that measures the level of food particles and debris in the water, allowing the dishwasher to adjust the wash cycle length and water usage for optimal cleaning efficiency.