Kitchen Aid dishwasher not draining water: popular solutions

Similar to washing machines, KitchenAid dishwashers are among the pieces of equipment that are most likely to malfunction when put to heavy use. The dishwasher interacts intimately with water that may be overly harsh and contains several salts and detergents of different grades. Also, the KitchenAid dishwasher is powered by a power source that periodically experiences voltage variations. If you notice during use that your Kitchen Aid dishwasher not draining water, there is no need to worry prematurely.

There can be several reasons for this. First of all, if there is water left in the bottom of the dishwasher, this is not always a sign that there are drainage problems. You may have opened the dishwasher door prematurely. In this case, the cycle is interrupted, and water will remain at the bottom. Until the wash cycle is complete or there is a power outage or a failure of the washing program, in any case, it is necessary to first understand how the drain of the dishwasher works and is arranged.

Kitchen Aid dishwasher not draining water—how to fix it?

You’ve probably noticed that the biggest contributor to this problem is some components getting clogged with accumulated food waste.

However, sometimes the cause can be a malfunctioning component that prevents the water from draining. Let’s take a look at all the necessary steps to fix this problem and get your dishwasher back in working order.

Clean or replace the KitchenAid dishwasher drain pump

To troubleshoot a KitchenAid dishwasher that won’t drain, check the drain hose, drain basket, and tray for food residue. The drain pump and check valve are also common causes of poor drainage.

Problem with KitchenAid dishwasher garbage disposal

Make sure the garbage disposal is operating properly before beginning the dishwasher troubleshooting process. Small food particles may build up in the hose that connects to the garbage disposal under the sink if the garbage disposal is not draining properly. Disconnect the hose and shut off the power to the garbage disposal and dishwasher. Before re-connecting the hose, let water flow through it until it is clear, then thoroughly wipe the check valve. Additionally, the check valve may jam, obstructing proper water drainage. If required, install a fresh check valve.

Small food particles could potentially clog the drain tray or basket. Use a straight wire to scrub the pan after removing the drain basket and thoroughly cleaning it. Check the dishwasher’s functionality after replacing the drain basket. After cleaning, if there is still standing water, the dishwasher might need more repairs.

Correct replacement of the drain hose

If the dishwasher still won’t drain after cleaning the drain hose, check valve, and pan, the drain pump may need to be repaired or replaced. whether the belt has slid or broken, check the drain pump to see whether it needs to be replaced. If other fixes have been attempted and the issue is still present, a new drain pump needs to be fitted.

If the KitchenAid dishwasher drain pump has failed, it needs to be replaced, and if it’s just clogged, we’ll still need to remove it to clean it properly.

• Start by removing the lower access panel and exposing the drain pump.
• Disconnect the wires and remove the drain tube attached to them.
• Lift the dishwasher pump out of the machine and check it for proper operation.
• If it is clogged, you can try cleaning it and reinstalling it to see if that fixes the problem.
• If it is found to be inoperable, you can install a new pump and reconnect the wires and hoses.

We also recommend running an empty wash cycle to see if the water drains properly after installing the new dishwasher drain pump.

Even if it’s just clogged with food residue, in general, when the motor assembly fails, replacing it with a new one is the easiest solution. It is not a difficult job and can be done in about an hour. It would be best if you referred to the owner’s manual for your particular model of dishwasher for instructions on how to do it.

Re-installing or replacing the water drain pump belt

For further inspection, you will need to remove the dishwasher tub from the mounting bracket to reveal the dishwasher belt. You should now be able to see if the water pump belt has come off for some reason and install it back on. However, if it has come off or looks very old, we recommend ordering a new one and replacing it.

Make sure your dishwasher is standing level with the ground, because if it is not level, the vibrations will gradually cause it to start coming off the assembly. You can also learn how to deal with such a problem in the GE dishwasher.

Flush the KitchenAid dishwasher drain hose

Sometimes dishwasher drain hose obstruction is a big problem. To deal with a clogged drain hose, you’ll need a drain plug, which is a small “cover” you can buy at a home improvement store or order online.

Unplug the machine and remove the baskets, filter, and pump cover. Then shut off the water supply. To do this, turn the stopcock to the left; most often, it is located under the sink. There you will also see the siphon where the water from the sink goes. The dishwasher is connected to it through a dishwasher drain hose.

To avoid spilling water all over the kitchen, place a deep plate under the siphon. Unscrew the hose at the point of connection to the trap and immediately insert a plug into the sewer pipe. You can do without it, but then there will be more water.

Try to “blow” the hose with a powerful stream of air. You can do this, for example, with a bicycle pump or an air mattress pump. The clog will come out with a loud sound; it will be inside the dishwasher in the filter cavity.

If the dishwasher drain hose obstruction does not come out of the air, you need to clean the hose with water. To get close to the back wall of the dishwasher, if you have a built-in, you will have to unscrew bolts, screws, and other fasteners, pull the machine out of the kitchen set, and put it on the floor.

Behind the dishwasher, you will see two hoses: one for the water outlet and one for the drain. The outlet hose connects to the water pipes, and the drain hose connects to the siphon under the sink.

Disconnect the dishwasher drain hose from the dishwasher with pliers and rinse it from the inside. It’s best to do this over the bathtub so you don’t flood the entire area. Direct the water flow into the hose and turn on the maximum pressure. The strong flow should make the clog come out.

If the water is already flowing freely through the hose, it can be removed and connected to the sewer and dishwasher.

Straighten the drain hose

If you’ve recently moved your dishwasher or kitchen unit, the drain hose may have become kinked, which can prevent water from going down the drain.

Unplug the dishwasher, remove it from the kitchen unit, and inspect the hoses that come off the back of the unit. If you see that one of them is bent, straighten it out. Then put the machine back in place, plug it in, and turn the program back on. The water should be gone.

Clean the drain valve

In most cases, the problem with the drain valve is due to it being clogged with food particles.

The easiest way to solve the problem with the drain valve without harming the valve is to remove the component from the dishwasher and place it in a solution of water and vinegar for about an hour.

This will help break down the trapped food and grease inside the valve. Afterward, rinse it under warm running water and put it back in the dishwasher.

Cleaning the drain impeller

Sometimes people can unblock the drain impeller by taking something like a paper clip and sticking it through the nozzles to release anything stuck in there. You can then run an empty wash cycle, removing any water buildup from the machine.

However, if this doesn’t work, you can remove the impeller and let it soak in hot, soapy water to break up any stuck deposits. You can also find out more information if your Kitchen Aid dishwasher is not draining water.

Clogged KitchenAid dishwasher filter

Water can collect in the sump due to a clog in the filter. Over time, food residue, dust, and debris accumulate there. A large object, such as a bone or a piece of wrapper, may also be stuck. To check this, the filter must be cleaned.

Unplug the machine. Take out the dishes, remove the baskets, and collect the water with a ladle and sponge. At the bottom, you will see a running water kitchenaid dishwasher drain filter; twist it and remove it.

The filter consists of two parts: a cylinder and a flat cover. Manually detach them from each other and inspect each one; there may be food particles, plastic, or other debris inside. If there is a clog, rinse the filter, cover it under running water, and clean it with a brush. If a clogged kitchenaid dishwasher filter is particularly clogged, you can also soak it in a solution of water and vinegar, which will help break up any stuck debris.

Push the two pieces together until they click into place, and insert the filter back into the dishwasher. Next time, the machine should drain on its own.

Wrong detergent

When choosing the right dishwasher detergent, it’s important not to substitute a well-known brand for dishwasher soap.

While it may be tempting to do so, as high-quality dishwasher detergent can be quite expensive, it will end up doing more harm than good.

Only buy detergent specifically for automatic dishwashers, and only use the amount recommended in the instructions on the box or package.

Conclusion

Kitchenaid dishwasher not draining – it’s one of the most common problems with Kitchenaid dishwashers. Taking care of the machines significantly extends their service life without breakdowns. If, after checking all the above-mentioned causes, the water still does not leave the machine, it is recommended to contact a dishwasher repair specialist to diagnose and correct the problem.