Fix Whirlpool Dishwasher That Won’t Drain (Fast & Easy Steps!) – Maytag Kenmore KitchenAid

Is your dishwasher refusing to drain? If you’re facing this common issue, don’t worry, we’ll walk you through the troubleshooting steps to get your dishwasher back in working order. These instructions apply to various Whirlpool Corporation brands, including KitchenAid, Maytag, JennAir, Amana, Kenmore and more.

Safety First

Important Warning: Working with electricity is dangerous and can lead to serious injury or even death. If you’re not confident in handling electrical components, please contact a professional technician.

Important Information

Before we dive in, it’s crucial to understand that there will always be a small amount of water in the bottom of the sump, even after the dishwasher has fully drained. Typically, around one inch of water remains in the filter cup slot. It’s also best to perform these troubleshooting steps with the dishwasher uninstalled.

For the initial tests, plug the dishwasher back in.

Checking the Drain Pump Motor

Locate the drain pump on the underside of the dishwasher. Start a cycle, then press cancel/drain to activate the drain cycle. You should hear the drain pump motor running. If the motor isn’t running, it’s time to check if it’s getting power.

Verifying Power to the Pump

If the drain pump motor isn’t running, we need to check if it’s receiving power. Warning: If you are uncomfortable performing a live voltage test, consult a professional as working with electricity can be dangerous.

To do this, set your multimeter to AC current mode. Disconnect the electrical connector from the drain pump by pressing the locking tab. Insert the multimeter probes into the connector without letting them touch, which could short the circuit. The motor should receive approximately 120v AC during operation.

Motor Receives Power but Doesn’t Run

If the motor is getting power but still isn’t running, remove it from the dishwasher. To do this, locate the retaining tab underneath the machine, depress it, and turn the pump counterclockwise to remove it. Check for obstructions in the impeller and inspect it for damage. There should be slight resistance when turning the impeller due to the internal magnets.

Next, set your multimeter to the Ohm setting and test the motor by touching the probes to the wire terminals. The motor should read between 15 and 60 Ohms. If it doesn’t, the motor needs to be replaced.

Motor Doesn’t Receive Power

If the drain pump isn’t receiving power, inspect the wiring between the pump and the main control board. Look for broken wires or burnt connections. Use a multimeter set to the continuity setting to check the wires. If the wires do not have continuity, you’ll need to replace the wiring harness.

Additionally, check the fuse on the main control board. Learn how to test the fuse on the control board in this video. If it’s blown, replace the entire control board and determine what caused the overload in the circuit to prevent future issues. This could be due to a shorting drain pump motor or a failing control board.

Motor Runs But Dishwasher Still Doesn’t Drain

If the motor runs but the dishwasher still won’t drain, check the drain hoses for obstructions or kinks. Ensure the internal check valve in the drain loop hose is functional. If the valve is faulty, replace the hose.

Verify that the garbage disposal plug is knocked out. See this video for instructions on removing the garbage disposal drain plug.

If everything checks out and the dishwasher still won’t drain, recheck the pump motor as described earlier.

Need Replacement Parts?

For any replacement parts, head over to PartsDr.com. Make sure to have your dishwasher’s model number handy to find the exact parts you need.

Conclusion

That’s it for our troubleshooting guide. If you found this helpful, please support us by purchasing appliance parts from our online store. For more DIY repair tips and guides, consider subscribing to our Youtube channel. Happy repairing!