Frigidaire Dishwasher: water retention

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Experiencing water retention in your Frigidaire dishwasher? After a wash cycle, water should fully drain. If it pools at the bottom, it may indicate a clogged filter, a blocked drain hose, or issues with the drain pump. Understanding the causes can help you troubleshoot effectively.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Frigidaire Models

  • Frigidaire official support specifically notes kinked drain hose and clogged filters as primary causes of water retention.

Possible Causes

Clogged filter or food debris trap

How to Identify: Water remains above filter level; visible food particles or debris in the filter area

Part: Dishwasher filter and trap

Kinked or blocked drain hose

How to Identify: Hose has visible bends, kinks, or is crushed; water not flowing out even after filter cleaning

Part: Drain hose

Faulty drain pump

How to Identify: No sound of water being pumped out during drain cycle; water remains even after filter and hose are clear

Part: Drain pump and motor assembly

Air gap blockage (if installed)

How to Identify: Air gap cover has visible debris; cleaning resolves retention issues

Part: Air gap

DIY Solutions

Clean the dishwasher filter and trap

Easy 10-20 minutes
Tools Needed: gloves, soft brush, towel
  1. Locate the bottom filter inside dishwasher
  2. Remove and clean debris and food particles from filter and trap
  3. Rinse parts with water and reinstall securely
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure power is off before starting cleaning

Straighten or inspect drain hose

Moderate 15-30 minutes
Tools Needed: screwdriver, flashlight
  1. Pull dishwasher out gently to access rear
  2. Inspect drain hose for kinks or bends
  3. Straighten hose and ensure proper routing to sink drain or disposal
⚠️ Safety First: Turn off power and water supply before working behind unit

Clear air gap (if present)

Easy 5-10 minutes
Tools Needed: screwdriver, small brush
  1. Remove air gap cover on sink
  2. Clean debris inside air gap with brush
  3. Replace cover and test dishwasher drain
⚠️ Safety First: Only work with unit off

Next step

Choose the next step for water retention

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

Check during diagnosis

Most relevant component to inspect

Dishwasher Filter

Screens food debris from recirculating wash water and protects the pump system.

Typical part-only price
$15 - $65
DIY difficulty
Easy
Estimated time
5-15 mins
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 Hose

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

$15 - $30 · Easy · 15-30 mins

Check fit & price
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
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 faulty drain pump

Estimated Cost: $80 - $200 for part

Inspect and replace damaged drain hose

Estimated Cost: $30 - $100

When to Call a Professional

If water remains after clearing filters and hose and pump replacement is required
If signs of pump failure (no sound or weak drainage) are present
If internal electrical faults are suspected

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean filters regularly: Debris buildup that leads to drain clogs
    Frequency: weekly to monthly
  • Inspect drain hose routing: Hose kinks and drainage issues
    Frequency: annually

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Frigidaire Dishwasher water retention?
Common causes include a clogged filter, a blocked drain hose, or a faulty drain pump.
How do I fix Frigidaire Dishwasher water retention myself?
You can clean the filter, inspect the drain hose, or clear the air gap if present.
How much does it cost to fix water retention?
Professional repairs can range from $30 to $200 depending on the part needed.
When should I call a technician for water retention?
If DIY solutions don't resolve the issue, or if the drain pump needs replacement, contact a technician.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

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

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Clogged drain filter or drain hose
  • Faulty drain pump
  • Improper installation or level of the dishwasher

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Check and clean the drain filter and drain hose. Remove any debris or food particles that may be blocking the flow of water.

  2. Inspect the drain pump for any blockages or damage. If the pump is faulty, replace it with a new one.

  3. Ensure the dishwasher is properly leveled. Adjust the feet of the dishwasher if necessary to ensure it is not tilted.

Limited-source guidance; percentages and success-rate claims are not shown
View Sources

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

  1. Frigidaire Dishwasher sometimes retaining water

Community Discussions

sometimes retaining water

Check for blockages in the drain; consider water supply issues.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

User Comments (0)

Share your experience or solution below.

Be the first to comment!