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Is your dishwasher not draining water? Learn 7 easy fixes for clogs, pump failures & more.
Amana dishwasher not draining
Common reasons your Amana dishwasher is not draining
The most common reasons your Amana dishwasher is not draining are a failed drain pump, cracked drain hose or a defective electronic control board.
56% of the time it's the Drain Pump
26% of the time it's the Drain Hose
10% of the time it's the Electronic Control Board
8% of the time it's the Something else
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Most common repairs needed to fix an Amana dishwasher
Drain Pump Replacement
A dishwasher that’s not draining often has a failed drain pump. The drain pump motor could be bad or the drain pump impeller could be damaged. The drain pump may make a loud noise when the impeller is damaged. The motor may make a loud buzzing noise or not make any noise at all if it isn’t spinning the impeller during the drain portion of the dishwashing cycle. The drain pump is hard to access so you’ll need to have a Sears Home Services Technician check out the drain pump and replace it if it isn’t working.
Drain Hose Replacement
When the dishwasher will not drain properly, a cracked or clogged drain hose could be causing the failure. The drain hose connect to the drain pump and carries wastewater to the sink drain. The drain hose has a check valve to prevent drain water from siphoning back into the dishwasher at the end of the drain routine. A cracked hose or check valve can let water blow back into the tub when the drain pump stops. Accessing the drain hose is difficult so you’ll need to have a Sears Home Services Repair Expert fix the drain hose when it’s cracked or damaged.
Electronic Control Board Replacement
If your dishwasher is not draining, you can suspect that it has a defective electronic control board if the drain pump doesn’t run. The control board should send electrical current to the drain pump during the drain portion of the dishwashing cycle. A failed relay or corrupted logic on the circuit board could prevent the control board from sending electrical current to the drain pump. Determining whether an electronic control board is defective is difficult. Have a Sears Home Services Repair Expert visit your home and fix the dishwasher when it is not draining.
What to expect when you experience an Amana dishwasher not draining issue
How is the not draining problem fixed?
Correcting most not draining problems usually involves replacing the drain pump, drain hose or electronic control board. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.
Sears Home Services recommendations for a dishwasher that is not draining
When the dishwasher is not draining it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of dishwasher failures.
What to look out for with a dishwasher not draining diagnosis
Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your dishwasher problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.
Why is my Amana dishwasher not draining?
Here’s a DIY troubleshooting video that shows how to check the common issues that will prevent your Amana dishwasher from draining:
Follow the steps in that video to determine the cause of the drain failure.
If a bad drain pump is preventing your dishwasher from draining, use the step-by-step instructions in this safe DIY video to replace an Amana dishwasher drain pump:
Here is a written version of the steps shown in the video:
- Shut off electrical power: Unplug the dishwasher or shut off the house circuit breaker for the dishwasher. To verify that power is disconnected, make sure the control panel doesn’t light up when you press a control button or the power button.
- Remove the outer door panel and control panel: Remove the Torx screws from the inner door panel, supporting the outer door panel with one hand as you remove the final 2 screws so the outer door panel doesn't fall. Separate the outer door panel and control panel from the inner door panel, and let the outer panel rest on the floor while you disconnect the user interface control wire harness from the control panel. Pull off the outer door panel and control panel.
- Remove the bottom front access panel and toe panel: Using a nut driver, remove the screws that hold the bottom front access panel and toe panel in place. Pull the access panel and the toe panel forward and remove them.
- Remove the drain pump: Lay a towel under the drain pump to catch water. Reach under the dishwasher and squeeze the wire hose clamp that holds the drain hose on the drain pump—use channel-lock pliers if necessary. Pull the drain hose off the drain pump. Remove the wire harness from the drain pump. Press down on the locking tab and then rotate the pump 1/4 turn counterclockwise to pull it out of the sump. Remove the towel.
- Install the new drain pump: Lubricate the O-ring water seal on the new drain pump with a light coat of rinse aid to prevent leaks. Insert the new drain pump in the sump opening and then rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise so the locking tab snaps into place. Plug the wire harness into the receptacle on the drain pump. Reinstall the drain hose on the outlet of the drain pump. Use the wire clamp to secure the drain hose on the drain pump outlet.
- Reinstall the bottom front access panel and toe panel: Position the toe panel on the dishwasher and then position the access panel in front of the toe panel. Insert the mounting screws and tighten the screws firmly.
- Reinstall the outer door panel and control panel: Position the outer door panel and control panel close enough to the inner door so you can reconnect the user interface control wire harness. Reconnect the user interface control wire harness and attach the outer door panel and control panel to the inner door panel. Reinstall the mounting screws.
- Restore electrical power: Reset the house circuit breaker or plug in the dishwasher to restore electrical power.
If you’re not completely confident that you can safely complete this repair on your own, schedule service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to replace the drain pump.
Standing water in your Amana dishwasher often points to a clogged drain path or broken pump. This leftover water can create musty smells and half-rinsed dishes. Instead of scooping out the tub by hand, call for dishwasher maintenance near me. Clearing debris and checking components lets your Amana flush away grime effectively.
What our customers say about us
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Thorough
James called to give an estimated arrival time. He was professional and personable. He had 2 professional ideas of the problem and found 1 was correct, but he didn't stop there. He did a thorough check of the appliance. 1 small part was needed. He ordered the part to my house. Fortunately, he was able to schedule for the next week, just before Thanksgiving. As before, he called ahead, arrived and quickly fixed the problem. My appliance is working perfectly.
Kirsten A, Oxford, PA
Service Call
Luke was great. Polite and knowledgeable even though the dishwasher was older than he!
James G, Hillsboro, MO
Daniel
Daniel went above and beyond to fix my dish washer. Very pleasant to deal with.
Paul F, Hghlnds Ranch, CO
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won’t my Amana dishwasher drain properly?
A clogged drain hose, blocked filter, or defective drain pump can cause water to pool at the bottom. Inspect and clear these areas for debris.
How do I unclog the drain hose on an Amana dishwasher?
Disconnect power, remove the lower panel, and detach the drain hose. Use a brush or running water to remove blockages, then reattach securely.
Can a dirty filter prevent drainage?
Yes. Food particles can block the filter, hindering water flow. Regularly cleaning the filter helps prevent drainage problems.
When should I contact a professional for an Amana dishwasher not draining?
If clearing the hose and cleaning the filter doesn’t fix the issue, the pump or solenoid could be failing. A qualified technician can perform more in-depth repairs.
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Glossary Terms
A dishwasher end panel is a finishing piece installed on the exposed side of a dishwasher, primarily when it is at the end of kitchen cabinetry, to ensure a seamless and aesthetically pleasing look in the kitchen.
A dishwasher diverter motor controls the direction of water flow to different spray arms within the dishwasher, ensuring optimal water distribution during each wash cycle for thorough cleaning.
A dishwasher drawer is a compact, space-saving kitchen appliance designed to clean dishes efficiently, resembling a standard kitchen drawer that slides out for easy loading and unloading.
Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. It contrasts with soft water, which has lower concentrations of these minerals.