Maytag Dishwasher: drain issue

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Experiencing standing water in your Maytag dishwasher after a wash cycle? This common drain issue may be caused by a clogged drain hose or a faulty drain pump. Understanding the causes can help you troubleshoot effectively.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Maytag Models

Improper installation such as missing disposal knockout plug can prevent draining.
Maytag error codes like E24/E1 may indicate drain pump or hose blockages.

Possible Causes

Clogged drain hose

How to Identify: Standing water after cycle, kinked or obstructed hose under sink, visible debris when hose disconnected.

Part: Drain hose

Faulty drain pump or motor assembly

How to Identify: Unusual noises during drain cycle (humming without draining, no power to pump.

Part: Drain pump/motor

Faulty drain valve or impeller

How to Identify: Water remains even after clearing hoses and filters, internal components damaged.

Part: Drain valve or impeller

DIY Solutions

Clean filter and drain opening

Easy 10–15 minutes

Tools Needed: gloves, soft brush

Remove bottom rack from dishwasher.
Locate and remove filter assembly.
Rinse filter under warm water and scrub debris.
Clear any visible debris from drain opening.
Replace filter and rack and run a test cycle.

⚠️ Safety First: Ensure dishwasher is off and cycle complete before starting.

Inspect and clear drain hose

Moderate 30–45 minutes

Tools Needed: flashlight, screwdriver, bucket

Turn off power to dishwasher.
Move dishwasher if needed to access under-sink connections.
Disconnect drain hose and inspect for kinks or debris.
Flush hose with water or clear blockage with flexible brush.
Reconnect hose without kinks and secure clamps.
Run a test drain cycle.

⚠️ Safety First: Be cautious of water spills; turn off electrical power.

Clean air gap

Easy 5–10 minutes

Tools Needed: screwdriver or small brush

Remove air gap cover near sink.
Clear debris inside with brush.
Flush with water.
Replace cover and test dishwasher draining.

⚠️ Safety First: None beyond standard cleaning safety.

Next step

Choose the next step for drain issue

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

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

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

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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/motor assembly

Estimated Cost: $100–$300 for parts

Replace drain valve or impeller

Estimated Cost: $50–$150 for parts

When to Call a Professional

Drain issues persist after clearing hoses and filter

Pump hums but no water drains

Internal component (valve, impeller) suspected failure

Preventive Maintenance

Clean dishwasher filter: Filter and drain clogs
Frequency: weekly
Run garbage disposal before dishwasher cycle: Backups into dishwasher drain
Frequency: each use

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Maytag Dishwasher drain issue?

Common causes include a clogged drain hose, faulty drain pump, or issues with the drain valve.

How do I fix Maytag Dishwasher drain issue myself?

You can clean the filter, inspect the drain hose, and clear the air gap for easy fixes.

How much does it cost to fix drain issue?

Professional repairs range from $50–$300 depending on whether you need to replace the pump or valve.

When should I call a technician for drain issue?

If DIY solutions don't resolve the issue, or if you suspect a faulty pump, it's time to call a pro.

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 hose or filter
Faulty drain pump
Blocked air gap or garbage disposal

User Suggested Solutions

Check and clean the drain hose and filter. Disconnect the dishwasher, remove the drain hose, and check for clogs. Clean the filter located at the bottom of the dishwasher.
Inspect the drain pump for blockages or damage. Access the pump by removing the lower spray arm and filter. Clear any debris and test the pump operation.
Check the air gap and garbage disposal for blockages. Clean the air gap if present and ensure the disposal is clear of debris.

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