[FIXED] Why is My KitchenAid Dishwasher Not Draining – Let’s Fix It

Have you ever noticed that your KitchenAid dishwasher is not draining at the end of a cycle? If so, don’t worry – you’re not alone.

KitchenAid dishwashers are designed to stop running when they have finished cleaning your dishes and then drain any excess water before shutting off. Some KitchenAid models will do this automatically, while others require you to press a button or open the door for it to happen. In either case, there could be an issue with how well your KitchenAid’s drain pump works, or there could be some clogging in the drain hose or filter.

We’ll go over some common causes of KitchenAid Dishwasher Not Draining problems, as well as what steps can be taken to fix them.

We all know how annoying and time-consuming it can be to have a dishwasher that doesn’t drain. We want to get back to cooking, not standing at the sink trying to unclog the kitchen sink!

If you’re frustrated with your KitchenAid dishwasher’s lack of draining, here are some ways you can fix the problem.

What Causes KitchenAid Dishwasher Not Draining? Troubleshooting and Diagnosis

If you are experiencing a problem with your KitchenAid dishwasher not draining, there may be an easy fix! Follow this guide to diagnose the issue and get back on track.

Check Drain Hose

The KitchenAid dishwasher’s drain hose could be clogged. Examine the tube to see if it is full of particles that are preventing water from draining out of the dishwasher when you try to use it. 

If this seems like your problem, remove any debris by using a long object such as a broom handle or wooden spoon and carefully pushing them through the hose so they can exit at the lower end where there may be an opening in order for them to come out (if not, then wait until some more has collected). 

You can also pour hot vinegar down into one end while holding up on other ends with pliers or tongs; this will force bubbles up through stuck material, which should loosen anything inside. Repeat the process until no more bubbles come up.

Kinks in the drain hose are usually easy to identify. Signs of leakages near where there is a kink can indicate that you need to replace your drain hose.

Clogged Drain Filter

Food particles and other debris can clog a dishwasher’s drain filter, which prevents the machine from draining. Locate the filter inside the drainage trap on the bottom of the machine and clean it. 

Cleaning a filter clog is only necessary if the dishwasher does not run at all. If you have tried running it without detergent for 15-20 minutes to see if that fixes the problem, then investigate any possible blockages in your drain basket. 

The dishwasher has an upside-down basket that can be unsnapped or unscrewed to remove the cover, which could have food buildup. Clean it as well to avoid any future clogging issues that may result in the KitchenAid dishwasher not draining problem.

Too much detergent can also cause clogs. To prevent this, pre-rinse your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.

Check Garbage Disposal

You could try turning on your garbage disposal. Built-in dishwashers are usually designed to drain out via the garbage disposal, and if there’s leftover food inside, it will clear up that passage.

Has your dishwasher been installed with a new garbage disposal system recently? Before installing the dishwasher, there was a knockout plug that had to be disabled. 

If you neglect this step, water might not be able to drain out of your dishwasher because it blocks the drainage pipe. If you have a garbage disposal installed in your kitchen, disconnect the drain hose and tap out the knockout plug to remove it. 

Once complete, reattach the hose and run a test wash after to ensure that was truly the cause of concern.

Check Drain Pump

Clean your KitchenAid dishwasher pump and replace the pump if there are any defects or other problems.

If food becomes stuck on top of the Drain Impeller, then Kitchenaid dishwasher not draining could happen because debris can damage its ability to rotate. Clean off any food residue as soon as possible to ensure that its blades rotate freely. If you see any damage to the drain impeller, then please replace it.

Clean the Air Gap

An air gap is installed in your home’s sink to prevent water from backing up into the dishwasher when it is turned on. Your dishwasher’s air gap is usually made of stainless steel and connects the dishwasher drain hose to the sink’s faucet. If this area clogs, water cannot go anywhere but back into your dishwasher.

KitchenAid dishwashers have a built-in air gap to prevent excess water from cascading onto the floor. To clean an air gap, remove its cap and then twist it counterclockwise.

Clean the dishwasher with water and a brush, and then run a complete cycle. This should help if there’s water coming from the air gap. A dishwasher that overflows is a sign of a problem with the air gap.

Cleaning the air gap fixes this issue by improving drainage and preventing water from overflowing into your dishwasher.

Timer

If your KitchenAid dishwasher is not draining, there are a few things you can do to fix the problem. One thing you can do is to check the timer and see if it’s working or not. Your dishwasher’s timer is typically found on the control panel. It controls both the motor and the drain solenoid.

If your KitchenAid dishwasher not draining wastewater, it may be because of a faulty timer. We recommend replacing any defective timers.

Using the Wrong Type of Detergent

Another KitchenAid dishwasher not draining issue may be due to the type of detergent you are using. Dishwashers use a mixture of hot water and soap or detergent in order to clean dishes properly. 

If your KitchenAid dishwasher is not draining, it could be because you are using too much liquid-based dishwashing detergent instead of powder-based detergents. 

We recommend sticking with powders for better results when washing dishes inside KitchenAid dishwashers.

Stuck Check Valve

The check valve, used on some dishwasher models, prevents dirty water from re-entering the tub after a drain cycle. If the dishwasher cannot drain, and food bits are clogging up the hose or dishes have stuck on them to the end of cycles, then there might be something wrong with the check valve. 

Check the outlet hole; you should find a rubber flapper that opens to drain water but seals when it cycles. Unblock this if necessary or replace the valve.

I hope that this blog article was helpful and you were able to fix your KitchenAid dishwasher. If not, please let me know in the comments below.