Why is my dishwasher trying to drain when empty?

Author: Kian Fisher I  |  Last update: Tuesday, November 11, 2025

While some dishwashers can suffer from blockages and other errors that prevent draining, they can also suffer from constantly draining even when they aren't supposed to. There are two causes for this. The first is flooding in the base which triggers the anti-flood switch, as mentioned earlier.

Why does my dishwasher keep draining when I empty it?

the most likely culprit is a faulty float switch, a clogged drain hose, or a leak in the base of the dishwasher which is triggering the flood sensor, causing the drain pump to run constantly; check for these issues and clean the filter thoroughly.

Why is my dishwasher running water when it's off?

If you find water filling the dishwasher with the supply turned off, then the problem is with the drain line. The drain needs to be attached to the underside of the counter or connected through an air gap at the sink to minimize the risk of water from the drain backing up and into the dishwasher.

How do you empty a dishwasher that won't drain?

Start the dishwasher then once it starts hold the cancel button to trigger it to try to drain. You should see a small fountain of waster through the air gap. That's great it means the line is cleared and you can reassemble the air gap and you're done.

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.

How To Fix a Dishwasher That Won't Drain

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.

How do I clear a clogged dishwasher drain line?

A mixture of equal parts baking soda and vinegar may unclog dishwasher drains. Pour the solution into the basket at the bottom and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then, pour hot water down the basket and run the rinse cycle.

How do I get rid of standing water in the bottom of my dishwasher?

Remove Any Standing Water

Empty your dishwasher for a full, unobstructed view. Take out the bottom rack. Remove the excess water with a cup or soak it up with towels or a turkey baster and sponge. You can also use or a wet/dry shop vac to suction it all out.

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 does my dishwasher keep running drain cycle?

In short, try unplugging your dishwasher for a short while to reset it if it is running nonstop. Check for any clogs in the drain hose, spray arms, or filters if that doesn't work. Ensure that the sensors, like the float switch and door switch, are undamaged.

How do I know if my dishwasher inlet valve is clogged?

Signs pointing to a faulty inlet valve include: Leaks that fill the dishwasher when it's off. Inadequate water for a cycle. The dishwasher fills too slowly or not all.

Why is my dishwasher not draining but no blockage?

Reasons why your dishwasher might not be draining

We recommend checking the filter first, because that's quite easy to solve yourself. If the filter isn't blocked, the other potential reasons are: A blockage in the dishwasher's drain hose. Debris in the dishwasher's drain pump.

Why does my dishwasher drain pump keep running?

Your dishwasher may have a leak.

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.

How do you diagnose a dishwasher problem?

How to Diagnose Dishwasher Problems
  1. Overloading By putting too many dishes in each load, you may cause the machine to leak. ...
  2. Faulty Door Seal Check the plastic seal around the door of your dishwasher. ...
  3. Excessive Detergent Check your detergent tray. ...
  4. Faulty pipe connections Check the pipes in the back of your machine.

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 there water left in bottom of dishwasher?

Why is there water at the bottom of my dishwasher? If the amount of water left in your dishwasher after a cycle is no more than two cups, then this is normal. Usually the appliance remains wet after a cycle due to the condensation drying principle which causes water droplets in the tub – they are indeed desirable here.

How to force a dishwasher to drain?

Press and hold the cancel button for at least three seconds—or the amount indicated—to activate the draining mechanism. Once the drainage sound completes, and your dishwasher shuts off, check the inside of the unit for standing water.

How do I know if my dishwasher drain pump is clogged?

About five seconds after you start running a dishwasher cycle, the drain pump will start making a low humming noise. This will be due to a piece of glass blocking the impeller from turning, resulting in the dishwasher pump not working properly. When this happens, you'll need to remove the blockage.

How to fix standing water in a dishwasher?

You can manually remove excess standing water by removing the bottom rack and placing absorbent towels on the bottom of your dishwasher to soak up the remaining water. If your dishwasher has standing water due to an interrupted wash cycle, simply run another cycle without interruption.

Can I use Drano to unclog my dishwasher?

Let's get right to the point: Drano should never be used in a dishwasher because the harsh chemicals in Drano will damage the plastic parts of the appliance and could leave toxic residue on your dishes.

How to unblock a dishwasher pump?

How to unblock the drain pump
  1. Turn the appliance off.
  2. Take out the baskets.
  3. Take out the lower spray arm.
  4. Remove the water by using a sponge.
  5. Remove the filters.
  6. Unclip the pump cover using a spoon.
  7. Remove all foreign bodies.
  8. Check if the impeller can rotate freely.

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.

Is it expensive to replace a dishwasher pump?

Pump - The pump is responsible for circulating water throughout the dishwasher. If it fails, your dishes won't be cleaned properly. The average cost to fix a pump is around $150, with a range of $100 to $350. To troubleshoot, check for a clogged filter or faulty motor.

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