Midea Dishwasher Not Draining? Here’s How You Can Fix It Fast

You just finished eating, you load your Midea dishwasher, press start, and walk away. But later, you find dirty water still sitting at the bottom. It feels super frustrating, right? You expect clean dishes, not a pool of water! The good news is, this is a common problem and usually not hard to fix. Most of the time, it’s caused by a clog, a dirty filter, or a stuck drain hose. In this article, you will learn how to fix your Midea dishwasher not draining in the easiest way, step by step.

Check the Dishwasher Filter

The filter in your Midea dishwasher helps catch food bits and keep them from going into the drain. But when it gets too dirty or clogged, water can’t flow out the way it should. This is one of the most common reasons why your dishwasher might not be draining.

To start, turn off your dishwasher and unplug it from the power. If it is hard-wired, turn off the breaker. Then open the dishwasher and remove the bottom rack. You’ll see the filter at the bottom of the tub. It looks like a round or cylinder-shaped part that twists off.

Carefully remove the filter by turning it counterclockwise. Once it is out, rinse it under warm water. Use a soft brush or even an old toothbrush to gently scrub off any food bits, grease, or soap gunk. You can also soak it in warm, soapy water for about 10 minutes to loosen any hard stuff.

Make sure you also check the area where the filter sits. Sometimes, small pieces of glass or food can hide there. Use a cloth or paper towel to wipe that part clean.

Once everything looks clean, place the filter back by turning it clockwise until it locks in place. Put the bottom rack back in and close the dishwasher.

Now, run a short rinse cycle to see if the water drains. If it does, great! If not, don’t worry — try the next step.

Turn off and unplug the dishwasher before touching anything
Remove and clean the filter with warm water and a soft brush
Check the filter area for hidden food bits or broken pieces
Put the filter back and run a rinse cycle to test

Inspect the Drain Hose

If cleaning the filter didn’t work, the next thing to look at is the drain hose. This hose carries dirty water from your Midea dishwasher to your kitchen sink or garbage disposal. If the hose is blocked, bent, or damaged, water can’t flow through it.

First, turn off the power and pull out your dishwasher carefully. Be gentle, and make sure you don’t pull too hard on the cords or hoses. Look at the back and find the drain hose — it’s usually a flexible plastic tube.

Check the hose for any sharp bends or kinks. A bent hose can stop water from moving. If you see one, straighten it out. Next, unplug the hose from the sink connection or garbage disposal. Keep a towel or bucket ready, as some water might spill.

Now, check the inside of the hose for clogs. You can shine a flashlight into it, or gently poke a flexible wire or coat hanger through the hose to remove anything stuck inside. If it’s really dirty, rinse it out under the sink using warm water or run water through it with a garden hose outside.

Once it’s clean, reconnect the hose and push the dishwasher back into place. Plug the power back in and test with a rinse cycle.

Check the drain hose behind the dishwasher
Look for bends, kinks, or clogs inside the hose
Clean it out with water or a flexible wire
Reconnect the hose and test with a rinse cycle

Clean the Air Gap or Garbage Disposal Connection

If your dishwasher is connected to a garbage disposal or air gap, it can also cause draining problems. The air gap is a small metal or plastic piece on the sink near the faucet. It helps stop water from backing up into your dishwasher. If this part gets blocked, your dishwasher won’t drain right.

Start by removing the air gap cap. Look inside and see if anything is blocking it like grease, food, or gunk. You can use a small brush or even a pipe cleaner to clean it out. Then pour some warm water through it to rinse away anything else.

If you don’t have an air gap, your Midea dishwasher might drain through the garbage disposal. In that case, make sure the disposal is clean and running well. Turn on the cold water and run the disposal for a few seconds. Sometimes food builds up in the disposal and blocks the dishwasher hose.

Also check where the dishwasher hose connects to the garbage disposal. It’s a small nozzle that can get clogged. You can remove the hose and poke a screwdriver into the hole to clear it.

Clean out the air gap if you have one
Make sure garbage disposal is clear and working
Check for clogs at the disposal hose connection
Pour warm water to rinse out the air gap or disposal

Test the Drain Pump

The drain pump pushes the dirty water out of the dishwasher. If this part is broken or stuck, the water will stay in the bottom of your Midea dishwasher. You can test the pump to see if it’s working right.

First, unplug the dishwasher and take off the bottom front panel with a screwdriver. Behind the panel, you’ll see the drain pump near the bottom. It has wires going to it and a small motor attached.

Before you touch anything, take a picture so you remember how it looks. Then remove the pump by unscrewing it or sliding it out. Check if anything is stuck inside — sometimes glass, food, or even small bones can block the impeller.

If it looks dirty, clean it out gently with a brush. Spin the impeller with your finger to see if it moves freely. If it feels stuck or doesn’t move at all, the pump might be broken and need replacing.

You can also test the pump with a multimeter to check if the motor has power, but this part may be tricky for beginners. If you’re not sure, it’s okay to call a technician.

Put the pump back in, reattach the wires, and screw the panel back on. Then plug in the dishwasher and run a rinse cycle.

Turn off power and remove the bottom front panel
Take out the drain pump and check for debris
Spin the impeller to see if it moves freely
Clean or replace the pump if needed and test again

Reset the Dishwasher System

Sometimes, your Midea dishwasher just needs a simple reset to fix a draining problem. This is like restarting your phone when it acts weird. A reset clears the internal memory and might fix the issue if it’s from a small error or stuck cycle.

To reset the dishwasher, unplug it from power and leave it off for at least 5 minutes. If it’s hard-wired, turn off the breaker. Then, plug it back in or flip the breaker on. This resets the control board.

Some Midea models have a reset button or key combo. Look at your manual or try holding down the Start or Cancel button for 3 to 5 seconds. The lights might blink or beep when it resets.

Once it resets, run a short rinse cycle and see if the water drains. If it works, the problem was just a glitch. If not, move to the last fix.

Unplug the dishwasher or turn off the breaker
Wait 5 minutes before turning it back on
Try pressing Start or Cancel button for 5 seconds
Run a rinse cycle to test the drain system

Call a Technician If Nothing Works

If you’ve tried everything — cleaning the filter, checking the hose, testing the pump, and doing a reset — and your Midea dishwasher still won’t drain, it’s time to call in a pro. Some problems are too hard to fix without tools or experience, like a broken control board or wiring issue.

A trained technician can take apart your dishwasher safely, test all the parts with special tools, and find out exactly what’s wrong. They might replace the drain pump, control board, or even the wiring harness if needed.

Before calling, take note of your dishwasher model number and what you’ve already tried. This helps the repair person know what to look for.

It may cost money, but sometimes that’s better than buying a new dishwasher. And once it’s fixed, you won’t have to worry about dirty water sitting in the bottom anymore.

If you tried all other fixes and nothing works, get help
Call a repair technician with your dishwasher model number
They can test deeper problems like control board or wiring
Fixing it professionally can save time and future stress

Final Thoughts

Fixing a Midea dishwasher that is not draining can feel hard, but most of the time, it’s something simple. A clogged filter, bent hose, or blocked pump are easy to fix with a little time. Just follow the steps and take things slow. If nothing works, don’t worry — a repair person can help. You don’t need to buy a new dishwasher right away. Always check the easy things first, and you might save money and time. A clean, working dishwasher is worth the effort.

Problem Area	What to Check	How to Fix	Tools Needed	Time Needed
Filter	Dirty or clogged with food bits	Remove, clean with brush and warm water	Soft brush, water	10 mins
Drain Hose	Bent, kinked, or clogged	Straighten or clean with flexible wire	Flashlight, wire	15-20 mins
Air Gap/Disposal	Blocked with grease or food	Clean out and rinse	Brush, towel	10 mins
Drain Pump	Blocked or not spinning	Remove and clean or replace	Screwdriver	30 mins
Control System	Glitch or cycle error	Reset by unplugging for 5 minutes	None	5 mins
Full Breakdown	Nothing helps	Call a technician	Phone	Varies

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it normal for water to stay in the bottom after a cycle?

No, it’s not normal. If you see water sitting at the bottom after the cycle ends, something is likely wrong. Your Midea dishwasher should drain all the dirty water before the drying cycle starts. When it doesn’t, that can mean the filter is blocked, the drain hose is bent or clogged, or the pump isn’t working right. It’s best to check the filter and hose first. If the problem keeps happening, try resetting the dishwasher or call for help.

Can I use my dishwasher if it’s not draining?

No, you shouldn’t use it. If your Midea dishwasher isn’t draining, running another cycle can make the problem worse. It might overflow or damage the pump. Also, dirty water left inside can make your dishes come out even dirtier or smelly. Always fix the draining problem first. Try cleaning the filter, checking the hose, or resetting the system. If you run it without fixing the issue, you risk bigger damage that might cost more to repair later.

Do I need to clean the filter every week?

Yes, it’s a good habit. If you use your dishwasher often, cleaning the filter once a week helps prevent clogs. The filter catches food bits and stops them from getting into the drain. When the filter is full, the water can’t flow out. That’s when your dishwasher may stop draining. It only takes a few minutes to clean and can save you a big headache. Just twist it out, rinse it under water, scrub it gently, and put it back.

Is it safe to remove the drain hose myself?

Yes, but be careful. You can remove the drain hose yourself if you are gentle and take your time. Always turn off the power first. Then pull the dishwasher out slowly and find the hose at the back. It’s usually connected to the sink or disposal. Place a towel or bowl under it in case water spills out. Gently disconnect it and check inside. If you’re not sure or feel nervous, you can ask someone to help or call a repair person.

Can food in the garbage disposal block the dishwasher?

Yes, it can. If your Midea dishwasher drains through the garbage disposal, food inside the disposal can block the drain. If the disposal is clogged or full, water from the dishwasher can’t go out. Always run the garbage disposal with cold water before and after using the dishwasher. Also, check the small nozzle where the dishwasher hose connects to the disposal. It can get blocked too. Keep both clean to stop draining problems.

Do I have to remove the dishwasher to fix draining issues?

Not always. You can fix many draining problems without removing the whole dishwasher. For example, cleaning the filter or resetting the system can be done without moving it. But for checking the drain hose or pump, you may need to pull it out a bit. Just go slow and be gentle. Make sure to unplug it first. If moving it feels too hard, it’s okay to ask for help or call a repair service.

Is it expensive to fix a drain pump?

It depends. A new drain pump for a Midea dishwasher usually costs between $30 and $100. If you can replace it yourself, that’s all you’ll pay. But if you call a technician, the total cost can be $150 or more, including labor. Still, it’s cheaper than buying a new dishwasher. If your dishwasher is still under warranty, you may not have to pay anything. Always check your manual or contact Midea support before replacing anything.

Can a dishwasher drain problem cause bad smells?

Yes, very often. When water sits in the bottom of your dishwasher, it can start to smell bad after just a day or two. That standing water mixes with food bits, grease, and soap — and all that starts to rot. The smell can be really strong and unpleasant. Cleaning the filter and draining the water usually helps. If the smell stays, clean the inside with vinegar and baking soda. Keep the filter clean to stop the smells from coming back.