No-one wants to open their machine and discover standing water but, try not to panic just yet. You may manage deal with the error before you have to call a plumber or purchase a new machine.
Your dishwasher failing to drain could be induced by a number of things a proportion of which are straightforward to figure out. Therefore, in advance of calling a dishwasher repair service try this list of potential components you could troubleshoot on your own. Some of which aren’t even a fault of the machine itself.
Ensure the cycle wasn’t interrupted
If you’re fortunate the fact your dishwasher hasn’t drained may not be a fault at all. Rather, the program could have been cut short.
The cycle may have been cut short for multiple of reasons. Little fingers pushing buttons, inadvertently leaning on the controls, a power cut or opening the dishwasher mid-program may all interrupt the cycle and mean your dishwasher doesn’t drain.
If you think this could be the circumstance, or you just want to be sure it’s not the issue start your dishwasher again on a short program.
A number machines could have an empty cycle so it’s worth having a look at your manual or consulting google to find out.
Examine the waste disposal
If you have a waste disposal check this before you move on as a blocked disposal will block the dishwasher from draining. Turn on the waste disposal using lots of water to make sure there are no issues.
If you do uncover a blockage drain cleaner or a natural alternative may be employed to clear the blockage and so this could fix the fault.
Inspect the plumbing for blockages
If you sink is emptying slowly this might indicate an issue with the pipes instead of a fault with your dishwasher.
In the case that the kitchen sink is emptying reluctantly you can attempt putting a little bicarb and white vinegar down the plughole, letting it sit for a while and then washing it through with boiling water.
A plunger may also be utilized to attempt to shift the obstruction.
This could be enough to allow your machine to work again so start a quick rinse and empty program now. If this hasn’t solved the problem you can manually drain the dishwasher using a cup and also a sponge and troubleshoot a few more possible issues.
At this point make certain to unplug the machine to avoid electrocution.
If in the process of any one of these investigations you believe you may have found and repaired the error you don’t need to go through the remaining issues. Just run an empty cycle to make sure your machine is repaired.
Inspect and wash the filters
Popcorn, labels from tupperware, plastic film lids and broken glass, plus scraps of food, may all obstruct the machine filter. Clear plastic lids could also be difficult to spot if you aren’t looking for it.
Take out the filter and wash it thoroughly before putting it back in place. Not all dishwashers have their filter in the same place so you could need to look at the owners manual for this.
Is the waste hose blocked?
The next area to examine is the waste water hose. Stuck food, a kink in the hose or a crushed hose could all prevent your machine from emptying.
Contingent upon the location of the waste hose (generally the ribbed one) you may be able to view it by means of lifting away the base or you may need to pull the machine out from under the counter.
Visually inspect the pipe first to discover if it has been squashed or kinked. You might have the means to manually fix any kinks which will most likely solve the issue, however, be aware that when this has happened it is significantly more likely to happen again so you could wish to purchase a replacement hose.
If you are unable to find anything you may disconnect the drain pipe from the pump and blow through it to check for any blockages. Be sure to put down newspaper or towels first as there may still be water in the pipe.
If you are unable to blow air through the hose this may be the problem.
Take off the other end of the hose and give it a thorough flush through to get rid of the obstruction. If you are unable to shift the blockage or the hose is slit or degraded acquire a new one. If you can remove the blockage then put the hose back and run a quick program to find out if you have fixed the fault.
You could also check where the hose attaches under your sink. This is a typical place for debris to build up so if you do remove the pipe give this connection a good clean as well.
Check the drain valve
You may check the drain valve by hand to make sure it hasn’t got stuck. The drain valve will usually be situated in the bottom of the machine on the valve bracket. Check your instruction manual if you can’t see it.
Pressing down on the valve or giving it a jiggle should be adequate to find out if it’s stuck. If you are able to see anything blocking it carefully extract this. If you can’t, this may be a good time to ring a plumber unless you are confident in purchasing and swapping out the valve yourself.
Examine your pump is not blocked
Your appliance pump makes use of impellers that may become blocked by broken glass or other debris. Check your impellers aren’t broken by removing the cover and checking that the impellers can be easily rotated.
Run your machine and listen for any unusual noises
If your dishwasher is making funny noises your dishwasher pump or motor might be broken and need to be repaired.
Call a plumber
If none of the above investigations has fixed the problem, or you have reason to believe the pump, pump valve or motor are not working, it may be time to call your local repair person.
At least having done your best to fix the problem yourself you have prevented having to pay a big call-out charge for a blocked drain.
More Dishwasher Problems:
- Dishwasher Being Loud
- Dishwasher Not Turning On
- Dishwasher Leaking
- Dishwasher Not Drying