Kenmore Dishwasher Not Draining: Causes and First Checks

A dishwasher drains in a simple sequence: a pump pushes water out of the sump, through a hose, over a high loop or an air gap, and into the sink drain or a garbage disposer. A fault anywhere in the sequence leaves water behind. In many Bay Area kitchens the dishwasher shares a drain with the sink and the disposer, which makes the connection point the most common culprit.

Start at the bottom of the tub

Remove the lower rack and look at the filter area. Food scraps, broken glass, a label from a jar or a toothpick can sit in the sump and keep the pump from moving water. Lift out the filter if it comes out by hand, rinse it under the tap and look into the sump. Do not reach into areas that cannot be seen, and wear gloves if you suspect broken glass.

Follow the water out

The disposer connection

When a new disposer is installed, a plug at the dishwasher inlet is supposed to be knocked out. If it was left in place, the dishwasher cannot drain into the disposer at all. A disposer that is clogged with old food also blocks the dishwasher drain. Run the disposer with water to clear it, as the manual for that unit allows.

The air gap

Some installations have a small cap on the sink deck called an air gap. If it clogs, water backs up. Lift the cap and clean any residue you can see by hand.

The drain hose

The hose runs from the pump to the sink drain, usually with a high loop under the counter. Check that it is not kinked behind or under the dishwasher, crushed by a stored item or pinched when the unit was pushed back. A hose that sags without a loop can let dirty sink water flow back.

The check valve

A flap or valve in the hose stops used water from flowing back into the tub. If it sticks, water returns or the machine sits full. Some displays report related faults; one code speaks of a drain hose check valve that failed and let dirty water flow back, as listed on that code page.

The pump and motor

If everything outside the machine is clear and water still sits in the tub, the drain pump may be jammed with debris or failed electrically. The panel can then show a drain code, and these are described below.

Drain codes you may see

• OE is a not-draining message.
• C3 reports a dishwasher that will not drain.
• F8E1 is a slow drain.
• F8E2 is a drain pump electrical problem.
• F9E1 is a long drain where the unit takes too long to empty water.

All of them are collected in the Kenmore dishwasher error codes article. Record the code before you reset.

A sensible order of checks

1. Switch the cycle off at the panel and let the water sit while you check the sink side.
2. Run the sink tap and the disposer. If the sink drains slowly, the blockage is in the home plumbing, not the dishwasher.
3. Clean the dishwasher filter and look into the sump for objects.
4. Clean the air gap if there is one.
5. Look at the drain hose where you can see it and straighten any kink.
6. Run a short drain-only cycle if your panel offers one and listen for the pump.
7. If the pump hums without moving water, or does not run, stop and book a visit.

Older kitchens and shared drains

In older San Francisco buildings the sink drain often serves the kitchen sink, the disposer and the dishwasher through one run of pipe. Grease and food scraps accumulate slowly there, so a dishwasher that drained fine for years may begin to back up after a long stretch of heavy cooking. If the sink gurgles when the dishwasher drains, the blockage is more likely in the shared pipe than in the machine, and a plumber, not a technician, may be the right call.

What not to do

Do not pour drain cleaner into the dishwasher; it can damage parts and splash on you. Do not put your hand in the disposer, and turn off the power at the breaker if you ever have to work near it. Do not open the lower panel or test the pump while the power is on. If water is leaking onto the floor, close the supply valve under the sink, switch off the dishwasher’s breaker and see our guide to a leaking Kenmore dishwasher.

Dealing with standing water

Scoop out the water with a cup and sponge to prevent odors and mold. Wipe the gasket and filter, run vinegar only if your manual permits it, and leave the door cracked open to let the tub dry.

Signs that point to the pump

A pump that hums but moves no water often has debris in the impeller area. A pump that is silent when the drain stage starts may be failing electrically or may not be getting a signal from the control. Either one calls for a diagnosis, because both require access under power and are not owner checks.

Booking a visit

If these checks do not clear the problem, the pump, the motor or the control may need testing. Our Kenmore dishwasher repair visit starts with diagnosis, then a written estimate; we do not repair anything without your approval. Please have the model number ready, usually on the inside edge of the door or the tub frame. You can see the lineup in Kenmore dishwashers and a sample page for the 22-14582.

Frequently asked questions