The Whirlpool dishwasher not draining problem can make the whole of your kitchen area smelly and messy. Are you getting worked up already after you discovered that your dishwasher won’t drain no matter what you do to remove the stagnant water after a wash cycle? Relax, this article will guide you through how to fix it all by yourself!
One of the famous brands on the market is the Whirlpool dishwasher and many people always have one lying in their kitchen. Just like any other home appliances, Whirlpool dishwashers can also develop some faults when used over time. This post will explore the potential causes of this issue and also provide solutions on how to fix it.
Although the Whirlpool dishwasher not draining issues usually get unnoticed by users, and the dishes just lie in water for hours or even days as the case may be. Don’t worry you will get to learn some tips about how to prevent dishwasher clogs and also resolve Whirlpool dishwasher not draining.
You need to detect the exact reason why your dishwasher won’t drain before you find a lasting solution to the problem. There might be twists in the hose or something might be blocking the drain line that needs to be removed. The first thing you need to do before involving a plumber is to check all of these likely issues yourself and save money on expensive repairs.
How do you know if your dishwasher has been clogged? Well, this and more will be explained detailedly in the latter section of this article. Read on!
Why is there water in the bottom of my Whirlpool dishwasher?
Since a Whirlpool dishwasher that gets slow to drain or leaves water behind after a wash cycle has a draining problem, the cause is usually not always very clear.
In case you want to know why you have standing water in your dishwasher, then you need to check if you have a clogged drain hose that prevents water from draining, causing it to flow back into the dishwasher.
Once your dishwasher stops draining very well or if an inch or more of the stagnant water constantly accumulates at the bottom of the tub, you most likely have a blocked dishwasher. 
Why is my Whirlpool Dishwasher not draining?
There are several reasons why your Whirlpool dishwasher is not draining.
Most users of this dishwasher often complain that their Whirlpool dishwasher doesn’t drain.
Ensure you always check that the lower end of the Whirlpool dishwasher is clean and free from debris. In case it’s not, then you need to remove any blockages that may have accumulated in the dishwasher or on its bottom side over time. The Whirlpool dishwasher not draining can be caused by a variety of factors, such as the below:
- Kinked drain hose.
- Blocked drain filter.
- Faulty Drain Valve.
- Stuck Check Valve (this is located underneath the dishwasher before the drain hose).
- Failed Drain pump.
- Garbage Disposal has been wrongly installed.
- Problem with the dishwasher’s air gap.
- When the wash cycle is not complete.
- The dishwasher timer may be broken.
- Use of the wrong detergent.
How to prevent Whirlpool Dishwasher Clogs?
Ensure your dishwasher is always cleaned and regularly maintained after every wash cycle to help prevent dishwasher clogs. Here are steps you can follow to prevent Whirlpool dishwasher clogs:
- Ensure you remove all crumbs and leftover food from dishes before loading the dishwasher with them.
- Select a hot water cycle on the dishwasher.
- Thoroughly wipe down the exterior and interior of your dishwasher and any other parts you can easily access.
- Always check and clean the dishwasher filter from time to time.
- Run the dishwasher often and always use the correct dishwasher detergent.
How to fix Whirlpool Dishwasher not draining
Your Whirlpool dishwasher not draining can make your kitchen area messy and smelly. Here are some easy ways to fix your dishwasher not draining issues below:
Unclog the Whirlpool dishwasher
To unclog the Whirlpool dishwasher, you need the following materials; bucket, cup, towels, soft brush (it could be an old toothbrush), and screwdriver. Follow the steps below to unclog the Whirlpool dishwasher:
- Unload the dishwasher and unplug it from power.
- Ensure you take out any standing water from the dishwasher.
- Check the dishwasher filter and be sure it’s not dirty from the accumulation of solid food particles such as popcorn kernels or wet lumps of paper from container labels in the filter.
- Find the filter by removing the bottom dish rack and looking at the bottom of the tub (you can locate the assembly in a back corner in some models, while in others it’s somewhere close to the base of the spray arm).
- Detach the filter which is often covered by a cage or grille.
- It’s possible to remove the dishwasher filter by hand, but some models require you to use a screwdriver.
- Once you’ve been able to remove the covering, you can now easily pull out the filter.
- In case your filter is clogged, you will most likely see food particles, soil, or other visible debris stuck in the fine mesh.
- Rinse and replace the filter once you’ve been able to wash away the dirt preferably by running the filter under the sink faucet.
- With the aid of a soft brush, you can scrub caked-on debris away but do not use any object made of a tough or abrasive material because it can damage the filter.
- Finally, replace the sparkling clean filter once you are done and fit the cage or grille firmly back in place.
You have been able to unblock your Whirlpool dishwasher now. This should fix the Whirlpool dishwasher not draining error. 
Ensure the dishwasher wash cycle is complete
The dishwasher always displays a CLEAN light whenever the cycle is complete. Always check to ensure that your last wash cycle was successful. However, if the CLEAN light is not illuminated, then it means that the dishwasher may have been disturbed before it was able to complete the process. To fix this issue, follow the steps below:
- Close the dishwasher door and long-press the START button to complete the wash cycle.
Check the interior part of the drain pump
Nobody is above mistakes and everyone is susceptible to making one at any time. While running the dishwater, glass can break which can lead to small solid debris getting into the drain pump outlet. to fix this, follow the steps below:
- Detach the drain pump and pick up the area to remove debris.
- Then, replace the cleaned drain pump.
That’s it! You have now cleaned the inside of the drain pump.
Check the garbage disposal
In case you have a built-in dishwasher, the model is designed to drain via the garbage disposal. Therefore, if your dishwasher is still clogged, then there may be a problem with the garbage disposal. Follow the steps below to fix this:
- Power on your garbage disposal to tidy up any leftover food.
- In case you hear a loud sound after switching on your garbage disposal, then it means your garbage disposal is blocked and you will need to troubleshoot this as well.
Did you recently install or service your garbage disposal? If yes, then you need to check if the knockout drain on the dishwasher has been removed or not. Although, this step is often neglected and it’s also a common misdiagnosis of a clogged dishwasher.
Thoroughly clean the sink’s Air Gap
A dishwasher’s air gap helps to reduce the risks of dirty water entering your dishware. Once an air gap is clogged, it can inhibit drainage and affect its functionality.
The air gap also allows air into the dishwasher so it can get properly drained without creating a vacuum. In most dishwasher models, the air gap is located at the top of the sink, it prevents anything except for air to come through.
However, this air gap can become clogged and can cause drainage issues in your dishwasher. In case you notice any buildup in the sink’s air gap, clean it thoroughly and ensure it’s firmly secured.
To check if your air gap is blocked, follow the steps below:
- Search for a silver cylinder beneath your sink.
- Once you locate it, pull it out to remove the upper part of the cylinder.
- Try to remove any clogged hair or food particles that may have caused the dishwasher outlet pipe to block.
- Finally, clear all debris or food buildup and reassemble the air gap back to its initial state.
Replace the faulty Timer
In case the timer on your dishwasher is broken, this may be the cause of the Whirlpool dishwasher not draining water. You should replace the defective timer to fix this issue. To change the timer, follow the steps below:
- Always check the continuity of the current.
- Once the current won’t flow out when you pull on the timer, then your components might be faulty.
- Also, check for any breaks in the wire and change these with new wires if need be.
Now, you have successfully changed a faulty dishwasher timer to fix the issue of the dishwasher won’t drain problem. 
Thoroughly clean the drain hose
The drain hose links the dishwasher to your garbage disposal or sink and it’s usually located under the sink or behind the dishwasher depending on your model. Most times, the drain hose is clogged close to the garbage disposer or dishwasher drain branch tailpiece.
Always ensure that your drain hose is properly secured to the sink or garbage disposal. Here’s how to clean your drain hose thoroughly:
- To unblock the drain hose, detach the drain hose from both the dishwasher and the sink drain and clean it out.
- Clean your drain hose by using a drain cleaner solution or you can make your own.
- The two common natural drain cleaners used are baking soda and vinegar (these are great solutions for weaker clogs).
A wrong installation process of the drain hose during a remodel can also cause the dishwasher not to drain. Drain hoses can twist during an installation and can make the pump not drain.
Depending on your dishwasher model, a drain hose has a built-in check valve for one-way flow and it’s usually installed backward. In case the dishwasher was self-installed, then you might need to replace the drain hose. An old drain hose can also aid the build-up of drain sentiments and limit flow.
Free the stuck Check Valve
If your dishwasher’s check valve is stuck, this can also cause water not to get drained. Ensure to check for any debris blocking the opening of your dishwasher and thoroughly clean it out where necessary.
If the cleaning doesn’t work, then you might need to replace the defective part with a new one.
I hope this post on the Whirlpool dishwasher not draining has been helpful. In case you need further assistance, feel free to ask in the comment section below. Thank you for reading thus far, and good luck with your cleanup process.