Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher: not draining

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

If your Fisher & Paykel dishwasher is not draining, water may be pooling at the bottom after a wash cycle. This issue often stems from a clogged drain filter, blocked drain hose, or a malfunctioning drain pump, preventing proper water expulsion. Addressing these problems promptly can restore your dishwasher's functionality and efficiency.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Fisher & Paykel Models

DishDrawer models have rotor and filter plate that should be cleaned; kinks in drain hoses are specifically mentioned by official support.

Possible Causes

Clogged or blocked drain filter

How to Identify: Standing water in basin, visible food debris in filter, water drains after filter cleaning

Part: Drain filter / filter plate

Blocked or kinked drain hose

How to Identify: Water not leaving dishwasher despite filter cleaning, hose visibly kinked or clogged when inspected, restores draining when cleared/straightened

Part: Drain hose

Faulty or obstructed drain pump

How to Identify: No sound from pump during drain stage, impeller doesnâ€™t spin freely, multimeter shows abnormal resistance

Part: Drain pump / pump impeller

Garbage disposal or sink drain blockage affecting dishwasher outflow

How to Identify: Dishwasher drains once disposal clog cleared, shared drain line blockage present

Part: Garbage disposal or connected sink drain

Air gap blockage (if present)

How to Identify: Standing water and visible debris at air gap fitting, clearing debris allows drainage

Part: Air gap fitting

Control board or electrical issue preventing pump activation

How to Identify: No drain pump activation even after clearing clogs, other symptoms like error codes unrelated to filter/hose

Part: Electronic control board

DIY Solutions

Clean drain filter and filter plate

Easy 10-20 minutes

Turn off dishwasher and open drawer/door.
Remove bottom rack to access filter.
Twist out and remove drain filter and filter plate.
Rinse under warm water and brush off debris.
Reinstall filter and run a short rinse cycle.

⚠️ Safety First: Ensure power is off before working inside dishwasher

Inspect and clear drain hose

Moderate 20-40 minutes

Tools Needed: Bucket, screwdriver, long brush or flexible rod

Disconnect power to dishwasher.
Access drain hose behind dishwasher by sliding unit out.
Inspect for kinks and straighten hose.
Disconnect hose and flush with water or use brush to clear debris.
Reconnect hose ensuring correct high loop configuration and test drain cycle.

⚠️ Safety First: Have towels or bucket ready for water spill

Clear garbage disposal and check connection

Moderate 10-30 minutes

Tools Needed: Flashlight, hex key or tool for disposal

Turn off disposal power.
Look inside disposal and remove debris.
Use disposal wrench to clear jams if needed.
Run disposal with water, then test dishwasher.
Ensure dishwasher drain hose connection has no plug blocked.

⚠️ Safety First: Ensure power off to disposal before working

Clean air gap (if installed)

Easy 5-10 minutes

Tools Needed: Small brush or toothpick

Remove air gap cover.
Clear debris from inside barrel with brush.
Rinse with water and replace cover.
Run dishwasher test drain.

Professional Repairs

Replace drain pump or impeller

Estimated Cost: $80 - $200 parts; $150 - $350 labor

Replace drain hose

Estimated Cost: $25 - $70 parts; $100 - $200 labor

Control board diagnosis/repair

Estimated Cost: $150 - $400 parts; $200 - $500 labor

When to Call a Professional

After trying filter and hose cleaning with no improvement

If drain pump is unresponsive or produces unusual noise

If internal electrical faults or error codes persist

Preventive Maintenance

Clean drain filter: Clogs leading to drainage issues
Frequency: monthly
Check drain hose routing: Kinks and flow obstruction
Frequency: annually
Run garbage disposal before dishwasher cycles: Shared drain blockages
Frequency: as needed

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher not draining?

Common causes include a clogged drain filter, blocked drain hose, or a faulty drain pump.

How do I fix Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher not draining myself?

You can clean the drain filter, inspect the drain hose, or clear the garbage disposal.

How much does it cost to fix not draining?

Professional repairs range from $80 to $400, depending on the issue.

When should I call a technician for not draining?

If DIY solutions fail or you suspect a serious issue, it's time to call a technician.

References & Sources

DishDrawer Not Draining (Fisher & Paykel Support) Official

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

67%

DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Either

Common Issues Reported by Users

Clogged drain pump or impeller (2 mentions)
Controller issues (1 mentions)
Blockages in drain line (1 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

Check the drain pump for blockages or failure; test continuity with a multimeter.

Success rate: 14.0%
Swapped controllers between drawers; suggested using less detergent and ensuring hot water.

Success rate: 14.0%
Address clogging of the drain due to foreign objects blocking the impeller.

Success rate: 14.0%

Analysis based on 7 community discussions
View Sources

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

Community Discussions

overflowed while completing a wash cycle

Clogging of the drain due to pumpkin seeds blocking the impeller.

DIY View on Reddit →

not draining

Check the drain pump for blockages or failure; test continuity with a multimeter.