You probably don’t want to deal with a dishwasher that won’t drain. You open the door and see water standing at the bottom — that’s frustrating, right? You want a clean kitchen and clean dishes, but that water just won’t go away. You’re not alone! Many Whirlpool dishwasher owners face this problem. The good news is, you can drain your Whirlpool dishwasher yourself without calling a repair person. In this article, I will guide you through easy steps to drain your dishwasher safely and quickly. You will know exactly what to do to fix the problem and get your dishwasher working again.
Check the Dishwasher Filter and Clean It Well
The first place to look when your Whirlpool dishwasher won’t drain is the filter. The filter catches food bits and dirt, but when it gets dirty or blocked, water can’t flow out properly. To fix this, you need to clean the filter carefully. Open the dishwasher door and pull out the bottom rack. Look at the bottom inside the dishwasher — you will see a round or square filter. Take it out gently.
Now, rinse the filter under warm water. Use a soft brush or an old toothbrush to scrub away stuck food particles. Be patient, as sometimes the filter has grease or hard bits that need more cleaning. If you skip this step, your dishwasher may keep draining slowly or not at all. After cleaning, put the filter back correctly. It should fit tight and not move around.
Cleaning the filter regularly will help your dishwasher drain well and keep your dishes clean too.
- Open dishwasher and remove bottom rack.
- Locate and remove the filter at the bottom.
- Rinse filter under warm water.
- Scrub gently with a brush to remove stuck debris.
- Reinstall the filter firmly.
Inspect and Clear the Drain Hose for Blockages
After cleaning the filter, the next important step is checking the drain hose. This hose carries dirty water from your dishwasher to the sink drain or garbage disposal. If it is blocked, kinked, or clogged, water will not flow out. To inspect the hose, first unplug the dishwasher or turn off its power to be safe. Then pull the dishwasher out from under the counter carefully.
Look under the dishwasher and find the drain hose. It usually connects at the back of the dishwasher and goes to the sink drain or disposal. Check if the hose is bent or squeezed tightly. Straighten it if needed. You can also detach the hose at the sink side and try to blow air through it or use a small brush or wire to clear any blockage. Be gentle so you don’t damage the hose.
If the hose is very dirty or clogged with grease, soak it in hot soapy water for a while, then rinse it well. After cleaning, reconnect the hose securely to avoid leaks.
- Turn off dishwasher power.
- Pull out dishwasher carefully.
- Find and check drain hose for kinks or bends.
- Detach hose and clear clogs gently.
- Soak in hot water if greasy.
- Reattach hose tightly.
Use a Wet/Dry Vacuum to Remove Water from Dishwasher
Sometimes water is stuck in the dishwasher because it can’t drain out, and cleaning the filter or hose doesn’t remove all of it. In this case, a wet/dry vacuum can help you get rid of the water quickly and easily. If you don’t have one, you can use towels, but a vacuum works better.
Open the dishwasher door and remove the bottom rack again. Turn on the vacuum and carefully suck up the standing water inside the dishwasher. Make sure the vacuum is set for liquids if it has different modes. Move the vacuum nozzle around to reach all corners at the bottom. Keep removing water until it looks almost dry.
After vacuuming, wipe the inside with a dry cloth or sponge to remove any leftover moisture. This step makes your dishwasher ready for the next cleaning or repair actions.
- Open dishwasher and remove bottom rack.
- Use wet/dry vacuum set for liquids.
- Vacuum all standing water inside.
- Wipe inside with dry cloth or sponge.
Check the Garbage Disposal and Sink Drain Connection
Your Whirlpool dishwasher usually drains water through a pipe connected to your kitchen sink drain or garbage disposal. If the disposal or sink drain is blocked, dishwasher water will back up and stay inside. To fix this, first, look at your garbage disposal or sink drain to see if it is clogged.
Run the garbage disposal with water for a minute or two to clear food waste. If you don’t have a garbage disposal, check the sink drain for slow draining or bad smells — these are signs of blockage. Use a plunger or a drain snake to clear the sink drain if needed.
Also, check the hose connection to the garbage disposal or sink drain. Make sure it is tight and not leaking. Sometimes, food bits or grease can block the small pipe where the dishwasher connects.
- Run garbage disposal with water.
- Check sink drain for slow flow or blockage.
- Use plunger or drain snake to clear drain.
- Inspect dishwasher hose connection.
Run a Manual Drain Cycle or Reset Dishwasher
If you have cleaned the filter, cleared the hose, vacuumed water out, and checked the disposal, but your dishwasher still won’t drain, try running a manual drain cycle or resetting it. Some Whirlpool models have a specific drain or rinse cycle you can start by pressing buttons on the control panel.
Look in your dishwasher manual to find out how to run this cycle. Usually, it drains water without washing dishes again. If your dishwasher is frozen or stuck, unplug it from power for 5-10 minutes, then plug it back in to reset the system.
Resetting the dishwasher can clear errors or blockages in the control system and help the drain pump work properly.
- Find manual drain cycle in user manual.
- Run the drain cycle from control panel.
- Unplug dishwasher for 5-10 minutes to reset.
- Plug back in and try running again.
Inspect and Test the Drain Pump
If none of the above works, the drain pump itself might be broken or stuck. The drain pump pushes water out of the dishwasher. To check it, unplug the dishwasher again for safety. Remove the lower front panel or access panel to find the pump at the bottom inside.
Look for any food debris or small objects stuck in the pump or its blades. Remove anything blocking it. You can try turning the pump blade carefully by hand to see if it moves freely. If it feels stuck or damaged, you might need to replace the pump.
Testing the pump with a multimeter can check if it has electrical problems, but this may need a professional if you don’t feel confident. Replacing the drain pump can fix serious drain problems.
- Unplug dishwasher and remove lower panel.
- Locate drain pump and check for blockages.
- Turn pump blades carefully to check movement.
- Consider replacement if damaged or stuck.
Final Thoughts
Draining your Whirlpool dishwasher can feel hard at first, but with patience and these easy steps, you can fix it yourself. Start by cleaning the filter, checking the drain hose, and removing standing water. Don’t forget to look at your garbage disposal and sink drain connection. Running a manual drain cycle or resetting the dishwasher might help. If the pump is stuck or broken, it may need replacement. Taking time to understand each part will save you money and frustration. Your dishwasher will be back to working well, and your kitchen will stay clean and fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it normal for my Whirlpool dishwasher to have water left after a cycle?
Yes, a small amount of water left at the bottom is normal because dishwashers often have a sump where water stays to keep the pump sealed. But if there is a lot of standing water, it means the dishwasher is not draining properly and needs attention like cleaning the filter or hose.
Can I use vinegar or baking soda to clean my dishwasher drain?
Yes, vinegar and baking soda are good natural cleaners. You can pour half a cup of baking soda followed by half a cup of vinegar down the dishwasher drain to help remove grease and small blockages. Let it fizz and sit for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with hot water. This helps keep the drain fresh and clear.
Do I need to unplug my dishwasher before checking the drain pump?
Yes, unplugging your dishwasher before checking or repairing the drain pump is very important for your safety. Electricity can cause shocks, so always make sure the dishwasher is off and unplugged before opening panels or touching internal parts.
Is it easy to replace a Whirlpool dishwasher drain pump myself?
Replacing a drain pump can be done by someone with basic DIY skills, but it requires removing panels, disconnecting hoses, and working with electrical parts. If you are unsure or uncomfortable, it’s safer to call a professional to avoid damage or injury.
Can a clogged dishwasher filter cause bad smells?
Yes, a dirty or clogged filter traps food particles that can rot and cause bad odors inside the dishwasher. Cleaning the filter regularly prevents smells and helps the dishwasher drain water properly.
Do I need special tools to clear a blocked dishwasher drain hose?
No special tools are required to clear a blocked hose. You can use a small brush, wire, or even carefully blow air through it. For tougher clogs, soaking the hose in hot water helps. If you have a drain snake for sink pipes, it can also work for the hose.
Is it possible for the garbage disposal to affect dishwasher draining?
Yes, since the dishwasher drain hose connects to the garbage disposal or sink drain, a clogged or broken disposal can stop the dishwasher from draining. Running the disposal to clear blockages often fixes the dishwasher’s drainage problems.
Can running a dishwasher reset fix draining problems?
Yes, unplugging the dishwasher for a few minutes and plugging it back in can reset the control board. This reset can clear electronic glitches or errors that stop the drain pump from working, helping the dishwasher drain water properly again.
