Dishwasher Won’t Drain?

Dishwasher not draining? Don’t worry! The dishwasher is a very simple appliance. The not draining issue is usually something very simple and easy to fix so before contacting an engineer follow these steps.

Switch The Dishwasher Off

Dishwashers are very safe appliances with zero risk of electrocution (unless you do something really stupid) When working on a dishwasher or any other appliance for that matter always switch it off at the mains. Never attempt to fix anything that is connected to the mains and switched on although electrocution is unlikely (and rare) it’s still a possibility.

Check The Filters

Dishwashers have filters. They’re always located in the bottom of the dishwasher they catch pieces of food or other debris that would otherwise block the waste pipe.

The filters are easy to remove every dishwasher is different so consult your instructions which will tell you how to remove the filter. If you’ve lost the instructions or can’t find them online, don’t worry, it’ll take you under a minute to work out how to remove the filters.

Remove the filters give them a good clean check in and around the hole where the filters are placed make sure there’s no other food or debris in there either.

It’s good practice to clean your filters regularly which should prevent non-draining happening in the first place

Run the dishwasher and see if it will now drain, if not then the pipes blocked or kinked.

Check The Waste Pipe

Dishwashers have two pipes one feeds water, and the other removes wastewater.

Pull out the dishwasher and check that the pipes not kinked it’s a good idea to try and drain the dishwasher while it’s pulled out because when you push it back in the pipe may kink again.

If the dishwasher still doesn’t drain, then there could be an obstruction in the pipe. The waste pipe can be removed from the dishwasher (if your confident to do this)

Remove the pipe and blow through it you’ll soon tell if it’s blocked please note some waste pipes are difficult to remove from dishwashers and might require an engineer.

Still, Blocked?

Call an engineer check your dishwasher warranty or home insurance to check if you’re covered they’ll usually send one of their engineers.