Your Kenmore dishwasher at home might not drain water properly for a variety of reasons. It could be from a mechanical fault from the drain pump, drain impeller, or water pump. Also, the filter or the water pump of your Kenmore dishwasher might be clogged with food debris or particles.
In this article, we would discuss issues with you on how to fix “Kenmore dishwasher not draining” and how to fix some of these issues.
Kenmore Dishwasher Not Draining
Firstly we would look at the simple steps you can take to fix your Kenmore dishwasher not draining before moving to the more complex steps.
Clogged Drain Hose
A clogged drain hose is the most common, problem why your “Kenmore dishwasher not draining”. Your drain hose might be clogged with food particles and debris which may block the flow of water. To unclog your drain hose, completely remove the hose from the dishwasher and the sink drain then clean it out. However, be careful when cleaning your drain hose to avoid injury from sharp food particles or debris.
How to check the Drain Hose
- Pull out the dishwasher with caution away from its cabinet area. You can lower the dishwasher using the feet on the front to get more clearance. Then carefully slide the dishwasher, then pull it out far enough so you can see and reach behind it.
- Check the drain hose to see if there is a major kink preventing drainage. The drain hose will usually run from the drain pump on the bottom of the dishwasher to the sink drain or to the air gap on the sink. You can use a flashlight to follow the hose carefully to the drainage area. Then look out for any bends or kinks, and correct any kinks in the line if found.
- Take the drain hose off the dishwasher to examine whether there are any clogs. You can place a pan or rag underneath the hose to prevent spills and for easy cleanup. Clear any blockage you encounter in the hose by running a long flexible brush through it. You can also run water from a high-powered hose through the drain line to clear any debris. When you are done, now reconnect the hose.
- Finally run the dishwasher on a short cycle, as this will allow you to see if there is any improvement in draining the water from your Kenmore dishwasher.
Clogged Drain Filter
If your Kenmore dishwasher filter is clogged there would be an accumulation of debris and it would prevent water from properly draining. You can remove the cylindrical filter from the bottom of the dishwasher. However, depending on your Kenmore dishwasher model, refer to your owner’s manual or search online with your device model.
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However, once it has been removed, clean out any obstructions with a brush under running water. Then properly insert your filter from where it has been removed. Check your Kenmore dishwasher drain operation after re-inserting the filter to ensure proper drainage.
Clogged Drain Valve
Clean your drain valve as it can get clogged with food debris and particles. To ensure that water can properly flow through the drain valve, clean out the valve. After you’ve removed the filter the sump has a hole where the cylindrical filter slides into that lead to the drain hose. Feel around inside for solid chunks of food, bones, or other debris that might be causing your Kenmore dishwasher to be clogged and not to properly drain.
How to check The Drain Valve
Before checking the drain valve, ensure it is properly cooled, to avoid burns to body parts. As parts of the dishwasher can become hot during the heating and rinsing cycles.
The drain valve is located underneath the dishwasher behind the front kick panel. The drain valve consists of a gate arm and solenoid which is also called a coil.
- The first step is to check the gate arm. The gate arm allows water to drain out of the dishwasher through the valve. The gate arm often has two springs attached to it, therefore if either spring is damaged or missing, it has to be replaced.
- The second step is to check the solenoid. The solenoid is connected by two wires. Therefore disconnect the solenoid from the wires. Now test the solenoid for resistance using a multi-tester. Set the tester to the ohms setting X1. Place the tester probes on the terminals of the solenoid. The normal reading is 40 ohms. However, if the reading is significantly different, the solenoid will have to be replaced.
- Next Give the motor a spin. This is the rotating blade inside the dishwasher. You can turn it by hand and allow water to drain.
- Lastly, run a short cycle to see if the dishwasher is now draining properly.
Clogged or Improperly Fixed Garbage Disposer
Most garbage disposers are sold with a solid plug in the drain tube by the manufacturer. Therefore if the garbage disposer has not been recently replaced, the disposer might have been clogged.
- Remove your Kenmore dishwasher drain hose away from the disposer, then clean out both the fitting on the disposer and at the end of the drain hose.
- Also if your Kenmore dishwasher garbage disposer is not properly fixed, it could lead to your Kenmore dishwasher not draining. So make sure to check that your garbage disposer is properly connected to your Kenmore dishwasher to avoid these problems.
Drain Pump
A drain pump helps to move fluids out of your dishwasher or washing machine through mechanical action, it converts electrical energy into hydraulic energy. The drain pump uses an impeller to force water through the drain hose.
Therefore if the drain pump motor stops working, your Kenmore dishwasher won’t drain. To find out if your Kenmore dishwasher drain pump is defective is faulty, check it by using a multimeter. Replace the drain pump, after using a multimeter and you find out it’s no longer working or if is getting power but won’t run.
Drain Impeller
When the Kenmore dishwasher is not draining properly or if it’s making loud noises, then there may be an issue with the drain and wash impeller as it might be faulty.
The drain impeller is the rotor in your dishwasher that increases the pressure and flow of a fluid. The drain impeller typically pushes water through the drain hose and into the garbage disposer or drain line. Well, if the drain impeller is broken, then you need to have it replaced.
Check Ball
The check ball is a little plastic ball found in the check valve that prevents water from returning to your dishwasher after it has drained. The check ball will prevent water from draining through the check valve when it gets stuck. You should try to free the check ball whenever it gets stuck.
Check Valve
The check valve of your dishwasher is a one-way valve that is attached to the drain hose and drain line. The check valve prevents dirty water, food, and other backflows from returning to your dishwasher after the water has drained. Therefore if the valve gets stuck closed, it will prevent water from draining. When the check valve is stuck closed, first try to clean it out and then replace it, if required.
Water Pump Belt
If the belt of your water pump gets worn out or broken it could cause your Kenmore dishwasher not to drain. However not all dishwashers have a water pump belt, you should search for your model number to find out if it has a water pump belt. Check the lower panel, as the water pump belt is located at the bottom of the motor. If you find out the water pump belt is broken or worn out, simply replace it.
In conclusion, we have been able to discuss various issues on why your Kenmore Dishwasher Not Draining