7 Reasons Why Whirlpool Dishwasher Not Draining – Let’s Fix It

Whirlpool dishwashers are one of the most popular brands on the market. Whirlpool is so popular, in fact, that it’s likely there is a Whirlpool dishwasher sitting in your kitchen at this very moment! However, Whirlpool dishwashers can have some problems.

One common Whirlpool dishwasher problem is when it doesn’t drain properly, and dishes sit in water for hours or days before someone notices. Don’t worry, though! We’ve got some helpful tips for you that will help you to resolve Whirlpool dishwasher Not Draining.

I know that you are looking for ways to make your house smell good, but did you ever think about what it smells like when your dishwasher isn’t draining? It’s not a pleasant scent.

You may have just bought a new dishwasher and can’t figure out why it is not draining water. There might be kinks in the hose or something clogging the drain line that needs to be removed. The first thing to do before calling a plumber is checking all of these potential issues yourself and save money on costly repairs.

What Causes Whirlpool Dishwasher Not Draining? Troubleshooting and Diagnosis

A common complaint among dishwasher owners is that the Whirlpool dishwasher doesn’t drain. This article will explore potential causes of this problem and offer solutions for how to fix it.

Check Drain Hose

The Whirlpool dishwasher not draining could be because of a clogged drain hose. Check to make sure the lower end of the Whirlpool dishwasher is clean and free from debris. If it’s not, you’ll want to remove any blockages that may have built up in the dishwasher or on its bottom side. You can use a long thin object like an ice pick or stick if needed for this task.

There could be a kink in the Whirlpool dishwasher drain hose. Check to see if it is twisted or has any other type of obstruction keeping water from draining properly.

You’ll want to check around for anything that might have caused this issue, such as Whirlpool dishes not sitting level on the rack and causing stress on one side of the lower end of your Whirlpool dishwasher. You can straighten most of the kinks manually without requiring the help of a plumber.

Clogged Drain Filter

You may also want to look at the Whirlpool dishwasher drain filter and make sure it is not clogged with food particles, hair, or other debris.

To locate the filter assembly, remove the bottom dish rack and examine the drain. In some models, it is in the back corner of the tub, while in others, it’s near the base of the spray arm.

The filter can often be removed by hand, but some models require a screwdriver to gain access. Once the cover is removed, you can pull out the filter. If it is clogged with particles such as food or soil, you’ll probably see debris on the mesh.

When you need to deep clean your filter, just fill a bucket with warm water and add some dish soap. Then soak the dirty side of the filter for thirty minutes before rinsing it off under running water using an old toothbrush or other soft brush. 

Always make sure not to use anything made out of metal because that might damage the filter. Now place the filter back to its place, and hopefully, it will solve the Whirlpool dishwasher not draining problem.

Check Garbage Disposal

The Whirlpool dishwasher not draining problem could be caused by a clog in the garbage disposal. If it’s just food waste causing the jam, use some water and vinegar to wash away any particles before running cold water through the drain for ten seconds or so. This should allow normal drainage again.

If the new disposer is not draining, you may have forgotten to remove a plug installed inside the unit. Simply remove this plug to get it working again.

Check Drain Pump

If the Whirlpool dishwasher is not draining, the problem caused by a faulty drain pump, it needs to be replaced. A drain pump forces the water up the curve in the drain hose, thus ferrying it away. The dishwasher needs a working pump to provide this power. It may sound like your dishwasher is functioning normally, but it could be that the drain pump isn’t draining away the water. 

Run a cycle and see if you can hear the pump working during the wash and rinse cycles. If you hear humming noise or no noise at all, the pump may be faulty.

The drain pump can be tested to ensure that it is functional by checking for continuity with a multimeter. If the motor does not have continuity, or if power is getting to the motor, but it won’t run, replace the drain pump. The best way to ensure quick and efficient operation of your dishwasher is to install a new drain pump because most are not repairable.

Another reason for Whirlpool dishwasher won’t drain is Clogged or damaged impeller. If the impeller is damaged or clogged, the Whirlpool dishwasher won’t drain. This fix requires you to remove and clean out the Whirlpool dishwasher’s pump guard (by removing screws) as well as the blades that are in place on top of it.

Clean the Air Gap

Dishwashers use air gaps to minimize the risks of dirty water back up into your dishware. If an air gap has clogged, it can hinder drainage and impact performance. 

To check for an air gap, look for a silver cylinder under your sink. When you find it, pull straight up to remove the upper part of the cylinder and try clearing away any clogged hair or food residue that may have caused the dishwasher outlet pipe to block. 

Next, remove any debris or food buildup and reassemble the air gap.

Timer

If the timer on your dishwasher is broken, it may be why you are encountering a problem with draining water. We recommend replacing the defective timer to resolve this issue. To troubleshoot the timer, check the continuity of the current.

If the current is not flowing out when you pull on the timer, then your components might be defective. Check for any breaks in the wire and replace these with new wires if necessary.

Using the Wrong Type of Detergent

If the wrong type of dishwashing detergent is being used, this can cause a clog. Try switching to a phosphate-free soap or low-suds detergent and see if that helps resolve your issue.

Stuck Check Valve

If the check valve is stuck, this can cause water to be unable to escape. Check for any debris clogging the opening of your dishwasher and clean it out if necessary. If these don’t work, then you will need to replace the faulty part with a new one.

I hope this blog post on the Whirlpool dishwasher not draining has been helpful. If you need any help, feel free to ask in the comment section below or reach out to me through my contact page for more information! Thank you again, and good luck with your cleanup efforts.