Dishwasher not draining? Causes and solutions

What you can check yourself first (Free & Quick) 🛠️

Always unplug the appliance (or switch off the fuse) before reaching into the water. Then check these three common culprits:

1. Clogged filters at the bottom

At the bottom of the dishwasher, there is a coarse and fine filter. If these are full of food scraps, toothpicks, or grease, the water simply cannot reach the drain pump.

• The solution: Scoop out most of the water with a cup. Unscrew the filter cylinder and remove the metal/plastic plate. Rinse everything thoroughly under the warm tap with a brush.

2. A piece of glass in the drain pump (Especially with Bosch/Siemens)

Under the filter is the entrance to the drain pump. Many brands (such as Bosch and Siemens) have a small white plastic cover over it.

• The solution: Remove the lid (sometimes you need to unclip it with a spoon). Check if there is a piece of glass, a hard corn kernel, or a splinter stuck in the small pump blades. Remove this carefully. Note: Then click the lid back on securely, otherwise the machine will not drain!

3. The siphon under your sink is blocked

The drain hose of your dishwasher is almost always connected to the siphon (trap) of your kitchen sink.

• The test: Turn the tap of your sink fully on. Is the water draining slowly there too? Then the blockage is in the pipes of your kitchen, not in the dishwasher. Unblock your sink first!

When do you need a We.repair technician? 🔧

Are the filters spotless, does the pump blade turn freely, and does your sink drain perfectly? Then unfortunately a technical component is defective or internally blocked.

• A burnt-out drain pump: If the pump has tried for too long to pump away a blockage (such as glass), the magnetic coil can burn out. The pump will then do nothing at all.

• Internal blockage of the drain arm: Between the pump and the connection to your sink is a long ribbed hose. If this is internally blocked with a lump of hardened fat, it needs to be professionally cleaned or replaced.

• Defective non-return valve: This is a small rubber valve that prevents dirty water from the sink from flowing back into the dishwasher. If this valve sticks, the water will remain in the machine.

• Problem with the control module: The circuit board (the 'brain') no longer sends the signal to pump.

Can't you get that dirty water away? Do not pry with screwdrivers in the pump chamber, as this causes leaks. Our local We.repair technicians will quickly and expertly replace or unblock your pump. Schedule a repair with We.repair now.

Behind the scenes: Why is that pump cover so important? 💡

Many people clean the filter, accidentally remove the cover from the pump, and forget to put it back. The machine then suddenly stops working completely! How can that be?

The drain pump of your dishwasher operates based on a vacuum (pressure). That small plastic cover over the pump impeller creates a sealed 'chamber'. Only in that sealed chamber can the pump build enough power to push the water through the hose, up to your sink. Is the cover missing? Then the pump 'runs dry' in the water, just like a car engine in neutral, and nothing happens.

What does the error code on your display mean? (By brand) ⚠️

Most dishwashers have smart sensors. If the water level has not dropped after a few minutes of pumping, the programme stops and you receive an error code:

• Bosch & Siemens: E24 or E25. This indicates a drainage problem. Check the pump cover and the filters!

• AEG, Electrolux & Zanussi: i20 (or 2 flashes). The machine is unable to drain the water in time.

• Miele: F11. There is a problem with the water drainage (often the pump or the non-return valve).

• Whirlpool & Bauknecht: F4 (or the light flashes 4 times). The drain pump is blocked.

• Samsung: 5C or 5E. Water drainage error.

Prevention is better than cure: 3 tips to avoid blockages 🛡️

1. Scrape plates, do not rinse! You don't need to rinse your plates under the tap (the enzymes in the detergent actually need some dirt to work), but always scrape hard residues like bones, corn kernels, and toothpicks into the bin.

2. Clean the filter weekly Make it a habit to rinse the filter at the bottom every week. This prevents food residues from rotting and blocking the drain.

3. Use a machine cleaner monthly Grease is the silent killer of the drain hose. Run a hot programme (70°C) with an empty machine and a special dishwasher cleaner once a month. This dissolves the grease layer in the hoses before it becomes a hard lump.

Repair or replace? (Honest advice) 💰

Is it the drain pump? Then repairing is almost always the best choice.A dishwasher drain pump is a relatively small and inexpensive part. Since the dishwasher is often built into your kitchen, buying a new appliance also incurs extra costs (installation, transferring the front panel, etc.). Replacing the pump by a We.repair technician is many times cheaper and ensures that your trusted machine can last for years again.