Whirlpool Dishwasher: not draining

Possible Causes

Clogged or dirty dishwasher filter

How to Identify: Standing water in tub, visible debris on filter at bottom of dishwasher

Part: Dishwasher filter

Clogged or kinked drain hose

How to Identify: Hose bent/kinked under sink, slow drainage or water backing up

Part: Drain hose

Garbage disposal clog or missing knockout plug

How to Identify: Water backing up into sink, newly installed disposal, or plug not removed

Part: Garbage disposal connection

Faulty or obstructed drain pump

How to Identify: Humming sound during drain, no water expelled after clearing hoses and filters

Part: Drain pump

Air gap blockage (where installed)

How to Identify: Visible debris in air gap, water backed up around sink air gap cap

Part: Air gap fitting

Dishwasher not level

How to Identify: Water pooling at one area of tub, unit visibly tilted

Part: Dishwasher leveling legs

DIY Solutions

Clean the dishwasher filter

Easy 10-15 minutes

Tools Needed: Gloves, Soft brush

1. Turn off dishwasher power.
2. Remove bottom rack to access filter.
3. Twist and lift out filter assembly.
4. Rinse under warm water and scrub debris with brush.
5. Reinstall filter and run a short drain cycle.

⚠️ Safety First: Ensure power is off before reaching inside

Clear and check the drain hose

Moderate 20-30 minutes

Tools Needed: Bucket, Screwdriver, Flexible brush or straightened coat hanger

1. Turn off power and water to dishwasher.
2. Place bucket under hose connection.
3. Disconnect drain hose from dishwasher and disposal or drain line.
4. Inspect for clogs and use brush to clear debris.
5. Flush with water, straighten any kinks, and reconnect securely.

⚠️ Safety First: Be careful of water spillage; wear gloves

Remove garbage disposal obstructions and confirm knockout plug removal

Moderate 15-30 minutes

Tools Needed: Flashlight, Screwdriver or small hammer (if removing plug)

1. Turn off and unplug garbage disposal.
2. Use flashlight to check disposal inlet for debris.
3. Remove any blockages.
4. If recently installed disposal, confirm the dishwasher inlet knockout plug has been removed.
5. Reconnect and test dishwasher drain.

⚠️ Safety First: Disconnect power to disposal before working

Clean air gap if present

Easy 10 minutes

Tools Needed: Bottle brush or pipe cleaner

1. Remove air gap cap.
2. Use brush to clear any debris.
3. Flush with warm water and replace cap.
4. Run a dishwasher cycle to test.

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

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

Optional: enter your model number

Apply

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

Possible related component

Appliance Leveling Leg

Supports and levels the appliance to reduce rocking, vibration, and door-alignment problems.

$8 - $40 · Easy · 10-30 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

Drain pump replacement

Estimated Cost: $80-$250

Drain hose or check valve replacement

Estimated Cost: $50-$150

Control board diagnosis and repair

Estimated Cost: $150-$400

When to Call a Professional

Drain pump hums but doesn’t expel water after clearing clogs

Visible damage to drain hose

Electrical control issues or error codes

Preventive Maintenance

• Clean dishwasher filter: Drain clogs and standing water
  Frequency: monthly
• Run hot water through disposal before dishwasher cycle: Backups into dishwasher drain line
  Frequency: each load

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Whirlpool Dishwasher not draining?

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

How do I fix Whirlpool Dishwasher not draining myself?

Try cleaning the filter, checking the drain hose, or clearing the garbage disposal.

How much does it cost to fix not draining?

Professional repairs can range from $50 to $400, depending on the issue.

When should I call a technician for not draining?

If DIY solutions fail or if the drain pump needs replacement, contact a pro.

References & Sources

• How to Unclog a Dishwasher Drain Official
• Newly Installed Dishwasher Not Draining guidance Official
• Whirlpool Dishwasher Not Draining: Troubleshooting Guide (DishwasherGuys.com) Repair-Blog

Common Issues Reported by Users

• Circulation pump failure (2 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

1. Replace the circulation pump and associated parts

Community Discussions

stopped running a complete cycle, water is warm but just sitting in the bottom

The issue is likely with the circulation pump, which can be repaired by uninstalling the dishwasher and replacing the pump and associated parts.

DIY View on Reddit →

refusing to drain unless we restart the cycle 4 times

Bosch SHX5AEM5N from Costco is recommended as a better option than the Whirlpool.

Pro needed View on Reddit →

stopped running on any cycle except 'normal', no lights work, not draining well

Considering Bosch and Whirlpool dishwashers, with a preference for models with food disposers.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair