Bosch Dishwasher not pumping out water

Common reasons your Bosch Dishwasher not pumping out water

The most common reasons your Bosch dishwasher is not pumping out water include a bad drain pump motor, clogged drain hose and a blocked drain pump.

  • 30%

    30% of the time it's the
    Drain Pump Motor

  • 24%

    24% of the time it's the
    Drain Hose

  • 15%

    15% of the time it's the
    Pump

  • 31%

    31% of the time it's the
    Something else

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Most common repairs needed to fix a Bosch dishwasher

Drain Pump Motor Replacement

A bad motor on the drain pump will prevent your Bosch dishwasher from draining and will leave water at the bottom of the tub. A faulty drain pump motor may make noise or only run intermittently in the drain portion of the dishwashing cycle. A weak motor may not make noise but it won’t be strong enough to pump out all of the water from the dishwasher tub. If you hear the drain pump running but straining to pump out water, have a service technician examine the pump and replace it if it’s bad.

Drain Hose Replacement

A clogged or damaged drain hose can cause water to stay at the bottom of the dishwasher tub at the end of the cycle. A buildup of grease and/or debris inside the drain hose can restrict water flow during the drain portion of the cycle to prevent water from fully draining. A pinched, creased or damaged drain hose can cause the same problem. When you find water at the bottom of your Bosch dishwasher tub, schedule dishwasher repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician visit your home and fix the problem.

Pump Replacement

If you hear the drain pump motor run but the drain pump doesn’t actually pump water out of the dishwasher tub, a blocked drain pump could be causing the drain failure. Debris can get lodged inside the pump and clog the drain path. Also, a foreign object like a piece of glass can get into the drain pump and strip the impeller so the pump won’t move water even though the motor runs and the impeller spins. When your Bosch dishwasher won’t drain, have a service technician check the pump and replace it if it’s blocked or damaged.

What to expect when you experience a Bosch dishwasher not pumping out water

How do you troubleshoot a Bosch dishwasher not pumping out water?

Fixing most issues preventing your Bosch dishwasher from pumping out water often involves replacing a bad drain pump motor, repairing or replacing a clogged or damaged drain hose or clearing or replacing a blocked drain pump. However, there are many other potential causes including:

  • Clogged sink drain.
  • Clogged air gap.
  • Bad electronic control board.
  • Wiring failure.

Follow the troubleshooting tips in the owner’s manual for your Bosch dishwasher when it won’t drain properly. If the basic troubleshooting tips in the manual don’t help you fix the draining failure, schedule repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician visit your home and fix the dishwasher.

What are the main causes of draining failures in Bosch dishwashers?

When your Bosch dishwasher leaves water at the bottom of the tub, one of the main causes is a clog in the drain path through the kitchen sink. Sometimes, a garbage disposal that is full of food scraps will prevent the dishwasher from draining. Run the garbage disposal to clear that drain path if the garbage disposal if full of food scraps.

If the kitchen sink drain is clogged, the dishwasher won’t drain. Clear the kitchen sink drain using a plumber’s snake or have a plumber clear the sink drain if it’s clogged.

If your dishwasher has an air gap installed in the path to the kitchen sink drain, check that component for a clog and clear it if necessary.

Grease buildup at the end of the dishwasher drain hose is another leaking cause of water staying at the bottom of a Bosch dishwasher at the end of the cycle. Clear the drain hose if it’s clogged with grease.

What to expect when having a Bosch dishwasher drain problem fixed

When your Bosch dishwasher is not draining properly, expect the technician to first run a test cycle and verify the problem. The tech will then check the basics such as whether the sink drain is clear and whether the garbage disposal is full of food scraps. If you recently replace the garbage disposal with a new one, the technician will check to make sure the installer took out the knock-out plug for the dishwasher drain hose connection on the new garbage disposal. The tech will then check the entire drain path and test the drain pump, electronic control board and wiring to determine the cause of the drain problem and replace any failed parts.

If your Bosch dishwasher won’t expel its dirty water, you may have a failing pump motor or obstructed drain path. Stagnant water can produce odors and damage internal components. Calling on a dishwasher repair in my area ensures these blockages are cleared quickly. Once pumping is restored, you’ll avoid swampy cycles entirely.

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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!


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Daniel

Daniel went above and beyond to fix my dish washer. Very pleasant to deal with.


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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Bosch dishwasher not pumping out water after a cycle?
A blocked drain hose, jammed drain pump impeller, or wiring failure can prevent water from draining. A bad control board can also keep the dishwasher from draining.
How do I clear a jammed impeller in the drain pump?
Unplug the dishwasher, remove the lower spray arm and filter, then access the pump cover. Carefully remove debris or broken glass from the impeller area.
Can a defective drain pump motor cause standing water?
Yes. If the motor is burned out or its impeller is damaged, it won’t create enough force to expel water. Test the drain pump motor with a multimeter for continuity.
When is professional assistance needed for a dishwasher not pumping out water?
If you’ve cleared hoses and the pump area but water remains, the pump assembly or control board might be at fault. A technician can provide an accurate diagnosis.

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Glossary Terms

A dishwasher turbidity sensor is an advanced feature that measures the level of food particles and debris in the water, allowing the dishwasher to adjust the wash cycle length and water usage for optimal cleaning efficiency.

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.

An astragal is a molding or strip that covers or seals the gap between the edges of a pair of doors or windows. Its primary functions are to provide a weather seal, improve security, and improve the aesthetic appearance of door and window assemblies.

A dryer drum is the main interior component of a clothes dryer where clothes are placed to be dried. It rotates during the drying cycle, allowing heated air to circulate through the clothes.