KitchenAid error code · Dishwasher won't drain
KitchenAid Dishwasher Won't Drain: Causes and Fixes
KitchenAid dishwasher leaving water in the bottom usually means a clogged filter/drain hose, a blocked air gap or disposer plug, or a failed drain pump.
A KitchenAid dishwasher that will not drain and leaves standing water in the tub is most often caused by a clogged filter or drain hose, a blocked air gap, a disposer knockout plug left in place after a new disposal install, or a failed drain pump. The cheapest and most common culprit is a clogged filter or hose.
What Dishwasher won't drain means
At the end of a cycle the drain pump should push wastewater out through the drain hose to the disposer or air gap. Standing water in the bottom means that path is blocked or the pump is not running. A small amount of clean water in the sump after a cycle is normal; a full inch or more of dirty water is not.
Severity:Service recommended · Appliance:Dishwasher
Why Dishwasher won't drain happens
Food and grease clog the bottom filter or the drain hose; a newly installed garbage disposal still has its knockout plug blocking the dishwasher port; the air gap on the sink is packed with debris; the drain pump impeller is jammed by glass or a seed; or the pump motor or its control has failed. A kinked drain hose behind the unit is also common after installation.
Common causes
- Clogged bottom filter or food-grinder area
- Kinked or clogged drain hose
- Disposer knockout plug not removed after a new disposal install
- Blocked sink air gap
- Jammed or failed drain pump
What you'll typically see
- Standing dirty water in the bottom of the tub after the cycle
- Dishes still wet and food-soiled at the end of a wash
- A humming sound from the pump but no water leaving
- Gurgling at the sink or water backing into the sink basin
- Cycle that seems to run longer than normal or stops with water remaining
Parts involved in Dishwasher won't drain
- Drain pump — When the impeller is broken or the motor will not run after the path is confirmed clear
- Drain hose — When the hose is split, crushed, or internally clogged
- Check valve / flapper — When water siphons back into the tub
What you can check yourself
- Remove and rinse the bottom filter and clear any food debris from the sump
- Clean out the sink air gap if your installation has one
- If a garbage disposal was recently installed, confirm the knockout plug was removed from the disposer inlet
- Check that the drain hose under the sink is not kinked and run a cancel/drain cycle
When to book a pro
If the filter, air gap, hose, and disposer plug are all clear and water still will not drain, the drain pump is likely jammed by glass or has an electrical fault, or the control is not energizing it. Accessing and testing the pump, and clearing the check valve, is a technician task.
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Dishwasher won't drain FAQ
Why is there standing water in my KitchenAid dishwasher?
Standing dirty water means the drain path is blocked or the pump is not running. The usual order of likelihood is a clogged filter, a clogged or kinked drain hose, a blocked air gap, a disposer knockout plug, then a failed drain pump.
How do I clear a clogged dishwasher filter?
Pull the bottom rack, twist out the cylindrical filter at the sump, rinse it under the tap, and clear any food or glass from the sump opening. This solves a large share of drain problems and should be done routinely every month or two.
I just installed a garbage disposal and now the dishwasher won't drain. Why?
New disposals ship with a knockout plug sealing the dishwasher inlet. If it was not punched out and removed during installation, the dishwasher has nowhere to drain. Removing that plug is the fix, and it is one of the most common after-install issues.
Is a little water in the bottom normal?
A small amount of clean water sitting in the sump area between cycles is normal and keeps seals from drying out. A full inch or more of dirty water that does not drain is not normal and indicates a blockage or pump problem.
Can I run the dishwasher with water sitting in it?
It is best not to. The dishes will not get clean and the standing water can grow odor and bacteria. Bail out the water, clear the filter and air gap, and if it returns, have the pump and drain path checked.
How much does it cost to fix a dishwasher that won't drain?
Often it is just a clog you can clear for free. If the drain pump or hose has failed, our diagnostic visit is a flat $89 applied to the repair, and the parts and labor carry a 365-day warranty.
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