If your KitchenAid dishwasher is not draining, start with the most common cause: a clogged sump filter or screen filter at the bottom of the tub. Food debris, glass, or buildup in the filter area can restrict water flow and leave you with dishwasher standing water. If the filters are clean and your KitchenAid dishwasher still won’t drain, the next likely problem is the drain pump. A failed pump motor, damaged drain impeller, or a dishwasher drain pump not working at all will keep water from moving through the drain hose. After that, check the control board, since a bad board may not send power to the drain pump. Less often, the drain solenoid kit or drain valve is the issue, especially if the valve is clogged or not opening. This kind of dishwasher water not draining problem is usually traceable with a careful inspection and a multimeter. Enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact KitchenAid replacement part for your dishwasher, whether you need a sump filter, drain pump, control board, drain impeller, drain solenoid kit, drain valve, or drain hose.
01 - Clogged Sump Filters
The sump assembly, located at the bottom of the dishwasher tub, contains the pump motor or motors to both circulate and drain the water. There are usually two filters in this assembly to strain food particles: a course filter and a fine filter. If the filters are clogged, the unit will get low water flow and poor washability. To clean filters, remove them from the sump and wash them with soap, warm water, and brush. If the filters are damaged, they should be replaced.
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02 - KitchenAid Dishwasher Drain Pump
The drain pump uses an impeller to force water through the drain hose. If the drain pump motor is not working, the dishwasher won’t drain. To determine if the drain pump is defective, check the pump motor for continuity using a multimeter. If the motor does not have continuity, or if is getting power but won’t run, replace the drain pump. Drain pumps are not repairable—if the drain pump is defective, you must replace it.
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A dishwasher's control board provides power to nearly every electrical component in the dishwasher. A faulty board may be unable to supply power to the drain pump, preventing it from drawing the water out of the tank and forcing it through the drain hose to the garbage disposal or sink drain pipe.
The drain solenoid opens the drain valve to allow the water to exit the dishwasher. If the drain solenoid fails the valve will not open causing the dishwasher not to drain.
Over time, the drain valve can get clogged with debris. To ensure that water can flow through the drain valve, clean out the valve. If the drain valve is clear of debris but it still won’t actuate, replace it. Drain valves are not repairable—if the drain valve is defective, you must replace it.