Why does my dishwasher keep running drain cycle?

Author: Prof. Hailee Murray IV  |  Last update: Saturday, May 16, 2026

Check the anti-flood sensor. Now let's take a look at the anti-flood switch. If you can hear your dishwasher constantly draining when you first put your dishwasher on, it may be because water has flooded and filled in the base, causing the polystyrene float to lift up and activate the anti-flood switch.

Why is my dishwasher stuck on the draining cycle?

This is normally caused by the drain being clogged and backing up like in your case. Either way, you'll need to uninstall the dishwasher and tip it forward at a 45 degree angle to drain the water out of the base pan.

How to fix a dishwasher that keeps draining?

Verify that there is not a clog or kink in the drain hose or air gap. This is typically the reason that a dishwasher won't drain and the clog is usually where the drain hose attaches to the garbage disposal or sink drain pipe. Remove the hose and clear any clogs, then reinstall.

Why does my dishwasher drain pump keep running?

If the dishwasher pump is running all the time then this is usually down to a water leak in the base which has activated the flood switch in there.

How to tell if a dishwasher drain pump is bad?

If your drain pump is working properly, the multimeter should show a reading of between 160 and 260. If the reading is too high, too low, or if there's no reading at all, it means the drain pump is faulty and needs to be replaced with a new one.

Dishwasher Runs For Hours — Dishwasher Troubleshooting

How do I know if I need a new dishwasher pump?

Water will not pump into the dishwasher.

Dishwashers have sensors and water pumps they use to let the computer inside them know when to pump water in and pump it out. If this sensor is dirty, has become stuck, or has broken, it needs to be repaired. If the pump has failed, it also needs to be replaced.

Why is my washer drain pump continuously running?

When the inlet solenoid valve is faulty, water continuously flows into the washer, so the pump must constantly pump out excess liquid. Only replacing the element will help fix the problem. You can remove the intake valve and completely disassemble it.

What does a bad dishwasher drain pump sound like?

Grinding or buzzing noise

You can hear your dishwasher grind or buzz when it forces water down the drain. If the sound is very loud, check your pump impeller. To do this, you will need to remove the lower basket, spray arm and filter unit.

Why is my dishwasher motor running continuously?

What are the common causes of a dishwasher that won't stop running? The primary culprits are often issues with the timer motor, heating element, and thermostat. These components may need cleaning, replacement, or adjustment.

How to unblock a dishwasher drain?

Attempt a natural fix – you could pour a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar into the standing water at the bottom of your dishwasher, then leave it for about 20 minutes. If the mixture has started draining, rinse it with some hot water and run the dishwasher's rinse cycle.

How do I reset a dishwasher?

Some models require you to shut off the power to the dishwasher either by unplugging it or shutting off the circuit breaker. Others are reset by pressing and holding the Start/Reset button on the control panel, then waiting a few moments before attempting to start a wash cycle.

Why is my dishwasher draining water on the floor?

If you find that your dishwasher is leaking from the bottom, this is most likely due to a leaky gasket and can be indicated by water on the floor in front of the dishwasher. If you notice that the dishwasher is leaking from underneath, you could also have a cracked hose or faulty valves connection issue.

Why is my dishwasher continuously draining?

If you can hear your dishwasher constantly draining when you first put your dishwasher on, it may be because water has flooded and filled in the base, causing the polystyrene float to lift up and activate the anti-flood switch.

How do I reset my dishwasher to drain?

Put the drain hose in a bucket and set your dishwasher to drain by pressing the drain/cancel/start button for three seconds. Then close the dishwasher door to start it. While the drain tube is in the bucket, shake it to loosen the obstruction.

Why wont my dishwasher finish the cycle and drain?

Perform basic troubleshooting by cleaning the filter and spray arm. Also, ensure your dishwasher is getting sufficient water pressure. If you find your dishwasher stopping mid-cycle, it could be due to several reasons, including a malfunctioning door latch, a defective control board, or even a power interruption.

Is it worth it to repair a dishwasher?

If your dishwasher is within the five-year limit, it's definitely worth fixing. But if your dishwasher is closer to ten years, finding replacement parts might be too expensive, so you'd be better off replacing your machine.

What are the symptoms of bad drain pump?

Disruptive noises: When your washing machine makes loud, thumping sounds during the drainage phase, it might indicate that the pump has a clog or can't effectively empty the water. No washer movement: Washing machines spin and jerk quickly to loosen dirt on fabrics.

Why is pump running continuously?

If your pressure control switch is faulty (usually a result of clogged tubing or burned contact points), or if someone adjusted the cut-out pressure to be above the pump's capacity, your pump will run non-stop.

How do I know if my washing machine drain pump is clogged?

Usually, if the drain pump isn't working properly, you'll hear an unusual noise or notice leaking from the washing machine when it is running. If your pump is malfunctioning, you'll need to replace it yourself or call a professional to replace it for you.

Why does my Whirlpool washer keep repeating the rinse cycle?

A washer may get stuck in the rinse cycle if the load inside is unbalanced. Uneven distribution of laundry can cause the machine to struggle, as it attempts to redistribute the load for a balanced spin. Open the washer, rearrange the items inside, and ensure they are evenly spread.

Does a dishwasher drain pump run continuously?

To minimize the risk of the machine leaking onto your beloved kitchen floor, the dishwasher continually runs the drain pump until either the machine dries out or is fixed. Keep in mind that the drain pump running continually is not the problem, but the symptom.

What is the difference between a drain pump and a circulating pump on a dishwasher?

Circulation pump motors use an impeller to force water through the dishwasher's wash arms to thoroughly clean the dishware during multiple wash and rinse cycles. Drain pump motors use an impeller to force the water through a drain hose to a garbage disposer or sink drain pipe during multiple drain cycles.

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