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Dishwasher not draining

If your dishwasher is not draining and you are seeing standing water in the tub, start with the most common cause: clogged sump filters. A blocked coarse filter or fine filter in the sump can restrict water flow and leave your dishwasher water not draining properly. If the filters are clear, the next likely problem is a failed drain pump or a damaged drain impeller, both of which are responsible for pushing water through the drain hose. After that, check the control board, since a bad board may not send power to the drain pump. Less often, a stuck drain solenoid kit or a clogged or failed drain valve can keep the dishwasher from draining. These are the parts most often behind a dishwasher clogged drain, a dishwasher drain pump not working, or water left in the bottom after a cycle. RepairClinic.com can help you track down the issue and get the right fix fast. Enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact replacement part that fits your specific dishwasher, whether you need a sump filter, drain pump, drain impeller, control board, drain solenoid kit, or drain valve.

01 - Clogged Sump Filters

The sump assembly, located at the bottom of the dishwasher tub, contains the pump motor or motors to both circulate and drain the water. There are usually two filters in this assembly to strain food particles: a course filter and a fine filter. If the filters are clogged, the unit will get low water flow and poor washability. To clean filters, remove them from the sump and wash them with soap, warm water, and brush. If the filters are damaged, they should be replaced.
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02 - Dishwasher Drain Pump

The drain pump uses an impeller to force water through the drain hose. If the drain pump motor is not working, the dishwasher won’t drain. To determine if the drain pump is defective, check the pump motor for continuity using a multimeter. If the motor does not have continuity, or if is getting power but won’t run, replace the drain pump. Drain pumps are not repairable—if the drain pump is defective, you must replace it.
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03 - Dishwasher Control Board

A dishwasher's control board provides power to nearly every electrical component in the dishwasher. A faulty board may be unable to supply power to the drain pump, preventing it from drawing the water out of the tank and forcing it through the drain hose to the garbage disposal or sink drain pipe.
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04 - Dishwasher Drain Impeller

The drain impeller pushes water through the drain hose and into the garbage disposer or drain line. If the impeller is broken, replace it.
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05 - Dishwasher Drain Solenoid Kit

The drain solenoid opens the drain valve to allow the water to exit the dishwasher. If the drain solenoid fails the valve will not open causing the dishwasher not to drain.
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06 - Dishwasher Drain Valve

Over time, the drain valve can get clogged with debris. To ensure that water can flow through the drain valve, clean out the valve. If the drain valve is clear of debris but it still won’t actuate, replace it. Drain valves are not repairable—if the drain valve is defective, you must replace it.
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07 - Dishwasher Main Control Board

A dishwasher's main control board provides power to nearly every electrical component in the dishwasher. A faulty board may be unable to supply power to the drain pump, preventing it from drawing the water out of the tank and forcing it through the drain hose to the garbage disposal or sink drain pipe.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my dishwasher not draining and leaving standing water in the bottom?
How do I know if the dishwasher drain pump is bad?
Can a clogged drain valve or drain solenoid keep a dishwasher from draining?
Could the control board be the reason my dishwasher has power but will not drain?
How do I find the right drain pump or drain valve for my dishwasher?

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