[SOLVED] Why is My LG Dishwasher Not Draining? – Let’s Fix It

LG dishwashers are quickly becoming one of the most desired brands in the market. LG has a reputation for building quality, durable products that last. However, LG dishwashers can be prone to draining problems- especially when water starts to pool at the bottom of your dishwasher instead of being drained away.

If you’re experiencing LG dishwasher not draining issues, don’t panic! In this blog post, we’ll give you some tips on troubleshooting and fixing LG Dishwasher, not Draining problems.

In a world where dishwashers are becoming more and more complicated, it’s difficult to know the problem when your LG dishwasher isn’t draining. If you’ve turned off the water supply and drained all of the water from your sink, but there’s still no change in performance, this blog post will help you figure out how to fix this annoying issue.

What Causes LG Dishwasher Not Draining? Troubleshooting and Diagnosis

If you are experiencing a problem with your LG 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 clogs most often near where it connects to the sink’s drain. Loosen the drain hose clamp and carefully detach it from the drain tee, air gap or garbage disposal drain port.

Inspect and clean any debris or food buildup from the connector or on the end of hoses. Reconnect them, tighten their clamps, and then try to run a cycle again.

Check to see if the problem is with the hose connecting to the drain underneath the sink. Kinks in the hose can happen if it is not being supported properly, which may cause you to have water standing on top of dishes.

Kinks and clogs can occur where the hose passes through the cabinet in your kitchen to connect the dishwasher, as well as if there’s an excess drain hose coiled below or behind your dishwasher.

Inspect the drain hose, make sure it does not have a sharp bend. Inspect the three areas of the hose that are furthest away from known obstructions to ensure there is no blockage.

Clogged Drain Filter

LG dishwashers all have a filter to catch food debris. If the LG dishwasher is not draining, it is possible that there is some debris blocking the way. Unplug your LG dishwasher and remove the lower access panel from below (located on the left side of your LG under-cabinet dishwasher).

The filter will be located at the bottom of this opening. Remove any clogs from the filters in order for water to drain properly again.

Clogged Garbage Disposal

If the LG dishwasher not draining, check the garbage disposal. Debris can get stuck in the blades and cause blockages that prevent water from draining out of the LG under-cabinet dishwasher. 

All you need to do is run a little bit of cold water down your drain and turn on your garbage disposal for a few minutes before switching it off again. This should clear any debris away so that the LG dishwasher will start working properly again.

If your LG dishwasher isn’t draining, it could be that the disposer is plugged up. The plug-up could happen to new installations if you forgot to remove the installed plug before activating the machine.

Check Drain Pump

If your LG dishwasher is not draining properly, there may be a problem with the drain pump. As stated before, some models do not have this component at all!

To check if you need to replace it: First, make sure that power is getting through by checking for 120 volts when on a wash cycle. If so and the part does not work then remove or change it as necessary–but only after you’ve checked for any obstructions in place of the old one first.

Clean the Air Gap

The air gap in your kitchen sink is designed to prevent suctioning of the dirty water that causes an increased risk of flooding. This slotted cylinder is made of stainless steel and installed near the faucet and connected to the dishwasher’s drain hose.

If clogged, water has nowhere else to go and will result in the LG dishwasher not draining.

Fortunately, an air gap can be easy to clean. You just twist the cap counterclockwise to remove it and then clean it out with water and a stiff brush.

All you have to do is run the dishwasher cycle after that. Clean the air gap if you see water coming from there. This can help improve drainage and resolve your dishwasher problem.

Timer

The timer controls the drain solenoid and is typically located on your dishwasher’s control panel. If your LG dishwasher isn’t draining, or if it drains at a slow pace, you may need a replacement part such as a new timer.

You can troubleshoot this issue by checking the continuity of the current. If it is not there, you may need to replace the timer.

Using the Wrong Type of Detergent

One cause of incomplete dishwasher drain might be the type of detergent used. Detergents for these machines are concentrated powder-style, so they can dissolve faster to break down grime and grease left on dishes.

Liquid dishwashing detergent can be useful when you’re rushing or out of your usual powder, but it’s not the best to get dishes truly clean. More so, many people don’t realize that most liquid detergents create too many suds and prevent water from draining properly after the cycle is complete because of a buildup of debris in the bottom.

The easy remedy for an LG dishwasher that doesn’t work is to insert the detergent of the correct type. If you are using a liquid, you will want to reduce the amount used and see if this fixes the problem.

Stuck Check Valve

The check valve prevents the water from traveling back up to the dishwashing area. If water isn’t draining from the dishwasher, check first if the valve is stuck closed or fixed.

Cleaning it out should suffice for a temporary fix, but you may need to replace it completely for a permanent fix.

LG dishwashers are an amazing choice because they provide a lot of the features you need in your kitchen. They’re also affordable and high-quality, so if yours is not draining properly, be sure to contact us for help with troubleshooting!

If you have any questions or comments about this post, please feel free to leave them below, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.