6 Reasons Why Frigidaire Dishwasher Not Draining – Let’s Fix It

Frigidaire dishwashers are one of the most popular brands on the market today, but Frigidaire dishwasher not draining is a common complaint. Frigidaire dishwasher won’t drain can be caused by several different issues, such as clogs or air gap problems. 

If you suspect that your Frigidaire dishwasher isn’t draining properly, there are some quick troubleshooting tips to try first before calling for service.

Have you ever had to use your dishwasher, and it’s not working? You open up the bottom of the machine only to find a flooded mess. It doesn’t matter if that’s an expensive brand, like Frigidaire! They can break down eventually, too. But we don’t want to wash all those dishes by hand, now do we? 

I have put together this guide for fixing things on our own so follow these steps below with me as they are easy enough even for beginners.

What Causes Frigidaire Dishwasher Not Draining? Troubleshooting and Diagnosis

If you are experiencing a problem with your Frigidaire 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 drain hose is often the source of dishwasher problems. If the hose has kinks, it can cause water to back up and overflow the front panel. To fix this issue, make sure that it is not twisted or turned; a manual straightening can usually remedy this problem.

If the hose seal becomes loose, you may be able to tighten it by hand. If debris blocks the hose and makes draining difficult, try using a wire coat hanger or blowing through the clogged end of the drain hose. If that doesn’t work, find a local plumber who can inspect and fix your machine’s drainage problem.

Clogged Drain Filter

If your Frigidaire dishwasher does not drain, the clogged filter might be to blame. The filter is located at the bottom of the machine, and It can become clogged with debris such as food particles or hair. To clear this blockage:

• Remove the filter from its location.
• Find a small opening tool that will fit into the drain filter (like an old toothbrush).
• Scrape away any visible matter so water can freely flow through again.

This should solve your problem! If you continue to experience problems, try unplugging and plugging back up again – sometimes, all Frigidaire needs is resetting for a fresh start.

Clogged Garbage Disposal

Step 1 for any dishwasher repairs is to remove the water and look underneath. Normally, we would advocate bailing out or soaking up the water, but you may be able to circumvent that step with a little ingenuity.

Disposals are high-traffic areas and also a frequent cause of clogs because food bits that wind up going down the drain might not always cut cleanly.

If you’ve been having a clog problem, then all you need to do is turn on the tap water and run your disposal for about 10 seconds. If it’s still not draining properly after that time period has passed, try turning off or resetting the dishwasher while running your disposer in order to unclog something from there as well.

Check Drain Pump

A faulty dishwasher pump is rare in Frigidaire models, but it does occur sometimes. A fault pump features an impeller to drain the water from your dishwasher. There are a variety of reasons why the thing can be malfunctioning.

When a dishwasher does not drain, it may be due to a foreign object clogging off the pump. As you initiate the cycle, listen for an occasional humming noise from the motor. That is often an indication that there is something in the unit’s drainage system.

You can fix this by disconnecting the dishwasher’s drain hose and any other connection that may be damaged when moving it. Unscrew the base plate and remove the anti-flood switch from your dishwasher.

Most commonly, the drain pump is held in place by screws. Remove them from the dishwasher and pull out its wire connector. The drain pump sometimes sits on top of a rubber gasket that can prevent complete removal. Gently twist and pull it until you remove it completely.

If you clean debris off your pump and it still isn’t draining, check the impeller. Debris or other items can get stuck here, which should be easy to remove with a quick scrape. Rotate the impeller with your finger (clockwise) – if it rotates easily, there is no blockage.

The motor of a Frigidaire dishwasher not draining water can be caused by the fact that it is running in the wrong direction or simply won’t run at all. First, make sure your power circuit reaches its terminals and isn’t switched off elsewhere. If you’re confident this check was successful, then try rotating to see which way will get things moving again – sometimes checking with an ohmmeter for continuity might help too.

If you’re hearing a humming sound coming from the terminals, then it sounds like your drain pump is not working. One possible cause could be that there are problems with either the motor’s winding or its bearings, and we recommend replacing these parts as soon as possible to minimize future damage.

Clean the Air Gap

This step is important for Frigidaire dishwashers with air gaps. If your Frigidaire has an air gap, you will need to clean it every few months – the frequency depends on how often you’re using the machine in question and its location.

Air gaps are typically found near plug sockets or at a point where water flows through pipes going into and out of your Frigidaire appliance (sometimes they can also be found inside). The purpose of these spaces is to relieve the pressure that builds up as hot water passes over pipes so that there’s no risk of them bursting from too much heat.

Clean the area around any exterior connections, such as those coming off a pipe or similar device which may have accumulated dirt over time. The Frigidaire dishwasher air gaps should be cleaned by unscrewing the cap and using a pipe cleaner to clean out any dirt in the area.

Timer

The timer in your dishwasher is there to control the motor and drain solenoid. And if it’s faulty, you may be getting water stuck in your appliance or have a leaky sink! When this happens, we recommend replacing the defective part quickly so that nothing else gets damaged.

Using the Wrong Type of Detergent

There could be multiple reasons your Frigidaire dishwasher not draining. If the dishwasher isn’t draining completely, one possible culprit is to check the type of detergent you’re using. Most machines are made for dishwasher detergent, and you’ll want to make sure yours is set up accordingly!

If you have used liquid detergent in a pinch while your dishwasher was running, it is likely that there are so many suds that water had difficulty draining after the cycle.

The fix for this issue is to use the right detergent. If you’re using a liquid, it’s best to cut down on how much you do so it will drain better.

Stuck Check Valve

Many Frigidaire dishwashers use a check valve to help stop the wash water from draining back into the machine. When this valve malfunctions and gets stuck in the open position, it will allow water to flow back in. 

When dishwasher valves get stuck open, you will see only a small amount of water inside your dishwasher because most is still pumped out. Unfortunately, any contaminated dishes may come into contact with the dirty water which flows back in.

If the Frigidaire dishwasher is not draining, you may be able to solve your problem by checking if the check valve is open. In order to replace it, you will need to uninstall your dishwasher and turn it over.

Frigidaire dishwashers are designed to be the perfect balance of durability and performance. However, when something does go wrong with your machine, it can feel impossible to fix without help from a professional. If you’re experiencing any issues with your Frigidaire dishwasher not draining properly or if other components have failed on this appliance, please don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance. Let us know in the comments below so we can research solutions together!