None Dishwasher: not draining

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your dishwasher completing cycles but leaving water in the bottom? This common issue can arise from clogged filters, blocked drain hoses, or garbage disposal problems. If you see error codes, it indicates a drainage problem that needs attention.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for None Models

Error code U11 indicates a drainage problem that may relate to clogged filter or hose routing issues
Abnormal drainage alarm may be due to folded or kinked drain hose

Possible Causes

Clogged or blocked filter/drain basket

How to Identify: Standing water in tub with visible debris around bottom; filter appears dirty or clogged.

Part: Filter / drain screen

Blocked or kinked drain hose

How to Identify: No water flow out of dishwasher; visible kinks or bends in hose under sink; possible debris causing blockage.

Part: Drain hose

Garbage disposal or sink drain blockage (shared drain)

How to Identify: Dishwasher drains into garbage disposal or sink drain and those are clogged, causing backflow or no evacuation.

Part: Garbage disposal/sink drain connection

Air gap or high loop configuration issue

How to Identify: Air gap cap blockage or improperly routed drain hose that doesn’t maintain high loop under counter.

Part: Air gap device or hose routing

Faulty drain pump or impeller

How to Identify: Dishwasher does not drain and you may hear humming without water flow; pump doesn’t activate.

Part: Drain pump / impeller

Control board or electronic failure

How to Identify: Dishwasher fails to start drain cycle, no pump activation, no error codes cleared by reset.

Part: Control board / electronics

DIY Solutions

Clean filter / drain screen

Easy 10–20 minutes

Tools Needed: gloves, soft brush, warm water

Turn off dishwasher and remove bottom rack.
Locate and remove the filter or drain screen.
Rinse filter under warm water and scrub off debris.
Reinstall filter and run a rinse cycle to test drain.

⚠️ Safety First: Ensure power is off before removing parts.

Inspect and straighten drain hose

Moderate 15–30 minutes

Tools Needed: flashlight, screwdriver, bucket

Turn off power to dishwasher.
Access drain hose under sink.
Check hose for kinks and straighten any bends.
Disconnect hose to flush with water if safe to do so.
Reconnect hose properly and test.

⚠️ Safety First: Be careful with plumbing connections

Clear garbage disposal and shared drain

Moderate 10–30 minutes

Tools Needed: gloves, plumbing snake or disposal tool

Run garbage disposal to clear any blockages.
Use a plumbing snake to clear sink drain if needed.
Rinse with cold water while running disposal.
Test dishwasher drain.

⚠️ Safety First: Ensure disposal is off before putting hands near blades

Check and clear air gap or high loop

Easy 5–15 minutes

Tools Needed: screwdriver, brush

Remove air gap cap if present and clear debris.
Ensure drain hose maintains high loop under counter.
Reassemble and test dishwasher drain.

⚠️ Safety First: Refer to installation guide for proper hose routing

Next step

Choose the next step for not draining

Confirm the diagnosis before ordering. An error code can identify the system involved, but it does not prove that a specific part has failed.

Based on diagnostic data

Most relevant component to inspect

Drain Hose

Carries waste water from the drain pump to your home's standpipe or sink drain.

Typical part-only price: $15 - $30
DIY difficulty: Easy
Estimated time: 15-30 mins

Optional: enter your model number

Where can I find the model number?

Check the rating label around the door, lid, frame, rear panel, or inside the appliance cabinet. Use the complete model number, including suffixes.

Find a part that fits my model

Verify the complete model and part number on the retailer's compatibility page before ordering.

Other parts options

Check related components first; use model search as a fallback.

Possible related component

Drain Pump

Pumps waste water out of the appliance during the drain cycle.

$35 - $80 · Easy · 15-30 mins

Check fit & price

Possible related component

Main Control Board

The central brain of the appliance that controls all components, cycles, and timings.

$120 - $280 · Medium · 20-40 mins

Check fit & price

Model number required

Model-compatible Dishwasher parts

Enter the complete model number to browse compatible replacement parts. This is a model-based parts search, not a diagnosis that a specific component failed.

Find a part that fits my model

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We may earn a commission from other qualifying purchases or service requests made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are based on repair relevance, not commission rate.

Optional routine care

Maintenance supplies

These products support cleaning or routine upkeep. They are separate from the possible repair components above and are not claimed to fix this error code or symptom.

Maintenance supply

Dishwasher Cleaner and Descaler

Supports routine removal of mineral scale, grease, and odor. It is maintenance, not a repair for a failed pump, valve, or control.

View maintenance supply

Maintenance supply

Braided Dishwasher Inlet Hose

For replacement of an externally damaged supply hose. Verify connection size, length, and appliance installation requirements before ordering.

View maintenance supply

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Recommendations are based on routine-care relevance, not commission rate.

Professional Repairs

Replace drain pump assembly

Estimated Cost: $70–$200

Replace control board or electrical components

Estimated Cost: $150–$400

When to Call a Professional

No change after DIY unclogging and pump inspection

Strange noises during drain cycle

Electrical or control board suspected issue

Visible leaks when tightened hoses

Preventive Maintenance

Clean filters regularly: Clogs that lead to drainage problems
Frequency: monthly
Ensure proper hose routing: Reverse flow and drainage issues due to improper hose positioning
Frequency: after installation or relocation
Run garbage disposal before dishwasher: Shared drain clogs affecting dishwasher drain
Frequency: weekly

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Any Dishwasher not draining?

Your dishwasher may not be draining due to clogged filters, blocked drain hoses, or garbage disposal issues.

How do I fix Any Dishwasher not draining myself?

You can clean the filter, inspect the drain hose, and clear any blockages in the garbage disposal.

How much does it cost to fix not draining?

Professional repairs typically range from $70 to $400, depending on the issue.

When should I call a technician for not draining?

Call a technician if DIY fixes don't resolve the issue or if you suspect a faulty drain pump or control board.

References & Sources

Troubleshooting a Dishwasher That Isn't Draining Repair-Blog

Community Analytical Insights

Guidance from available sources; statistical claims are shown only for samples of at least 10 discussions

Can I Fix This Myself?

75%

DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

Blocked drain pump (5 mentions)
Faulty solenoid valve (2 mentions)
Clogged hoses or filters (3 mentions)
Faulty thermal switch (1 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

Replace or clean the drain pump

Success rate: 42.0%
Check and clear blockages in hoses or filters

Success rate: 25.0%
Replace the solenoid valve if stuck open

Success rate: 17.0%
Reset the thermal switch if it has opened

Success rate: 8.0%

Analysis based on 173 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

Community Discussions

not draining

The drain hose needs to be lifted to create a high loop to prevent draining issues.

DIY View on Reddit →

stopped draining

Consider buying a new dishwasher, preferably a Bosch 800 series, as repairs may not be cost-effective.

Pro needed View on Reddit →

building up water

Check for high loop installation, inspect drain line for clogs, and consider replacing the inlet valve.

DIY View on Reddit →

making noises but no water, cycling onto eco wash, pooling water around the dishwasher

Check for blockages in the pump or hoses; possible pump failure if the appliance is old.

Pro needed View on Reddit →

Anti-flood device is on, beeping

Reset the electronics part of the dishwasher.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

User Comments (0)

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None Dishwasher: not draining

What is this symptom?

Important Tips for None Models

Possible Causes

Clogged or blocked filter/drain basket

Blocked or kinked drain hose

Garbage disposal or sink drain blockage (shared drain)

Air gap or high loop configuration issue

Faulty drain pump or impeller

Control board or electronic failure

DIY Solutions

Clean filter / drain screen

Inspect and straighten drain hose

Clear garbage disposal and shared drain

Check and clear air gap or high loop

Choose the next step for not draining

Drain Hose

Other parts options

Drain Pump

Main Control Board

Model-compatible Dishwasher parts

Maintenance supplies

Dishwasher Cleaner and Descaler

Braided Dishwasher Inlet Hose

Professional Repairs

Replace drain pump assembly

Replace control board or electrical components

When to Call a Professional

Preventive Maintenance

Frequently Asked Questions

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Can I Fix This Myself?

Common Issues Reported by Users

User Suggested Solutions

Replace or clean the drain pump

Check and clear blockages in hoses or filters

Replace the solenoid valve if stuck open

Reset the thermal switch if it has opened

Community Discussions

User Comments (0)