Dishwasher Not Draining – What Part Fixes This Problem?
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Understanding the Problem
When your dishwasher won't drain, water stays pooled at the bottom of the tub after a cycle completes. This is usually caused by a mechanical failure in the drain system or a blockage preventing water from exiting. The good news is that most drain problems are caused by a single faulty part that can be replaced without calling a technician.
Common Causes
- Failed drain pump
- Clogged drain hose
- Blocked filter or food trap
- Defective drain solenoid
Popular Parts That Fix This Problem
These are the most common replacement parts that fix this problem. When you're ready to order, click below to find the right part at PartsDiscount.com — just search by your appliance model number for a guaranteed fit.
Helpful Repair Tip
To confirm it's the drain pump, listen for a humming sound during the drain cycle. If you hear humming but water isn't draining, the pump motor is likely seized. If you hear nothing, the pump may have failed electrically. Disconnect power, remove the bottom panel, and visually inspect the pump for debris or damage.
Brand-Specific Issues
Common problems reported by brand
GE
"GE dishwasher beeping but won't start"A GE dishwasher that beeps but won't start is a very common issue, usually caused by a faulty door latch that doesn't fully engage or a failing user interface (UI) board. The door latch has a microswitch that tells the control board the door is secure—if it's misaligned or broken, the dishwasher won't start the cycle. Try firmly pressing the door closed. If that doesn't work, inspect the latch assembly.
Frigidaire
"Frigidaire dishwasher i20 error"The "i20" error on Frigidaire dishwashers (and Electrolux models) signals a drainage failure. Check the drain hose for kinks, clean the drain filter and sump area, and verify the garbage disposal knockout plug was removed if the dishwasher was recently installed. If the drain pump runs but water doesn't exit, the pump impeller may be damaged.
Real DIY Repair Stories
1 storiesReplaced the drain pump and my dishwasher works like new
Our Whirlpool dishwasher started leaving standing water at the bottom after every cycle. I checked the filter first and it was clean. Then I ran the garbage disposal thinking it might be a shared drain issue but that did not help either. After some research I figured it was most likely the drain pump. I ordered the replacement pump from PartsDiscount.com and it arrived in two days. The swap itself was pretty straightforward — I just had to remove the lower kick plate, disconnect the old pump, and snap the new one in. Took maybe 45 minutes total. Dishwasher has been draining perfectly ever since.
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Find the Right Part for Your Appliance
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Whether your dishwasher won't drain, your dryer stopped heating, or your fridge isn't cold, we've created simple repair guides for the most common appliance problems homeowners face. Each guide explains what's going wrong, the most likely causes, and which replacement parts fix the issue. When you're ready to order, we link directly to PartsDiscount.com where you can search by model number and get the right part shipped fast.