Bosch dishwasher won't drain

What to do if a Bosch dishwasher is not draining?

First, clean the dishwasher filter. Foreign objects such as paper labels from jars can clog the filter and prevent draining.

Follow the procedure shown in this video to clean the filter in your Bosch dishwasher:

Check the dishwasher drain system

If the filter inside your Bosch dishwasher is clear, follow the steps in this DIY troubleshooting video to check for a clog in the drain system:

Check sink drain and garbage disposal for clog

Before you blame the dishwasher, check the sink drain or garbage disposal for a clog. The dishwasher can’t drain if the sink is clogged.

Run the water to see if the water drains. If not, clear the sink drain and your dishwasher should drain properly.

If your sink has a garbage disposal, run the disposal to see if the water drains then. If your disposal is clogged, clear it out. But if it’s broken, you’ll likely need to replace it or it will clog again.

By the way, if you just installed a new garbage disposal and forgot to remove the knockout plug, do that now. The knockout plug prevents water from leaking through the dishwasher drain opening until you install the drain hose. It's easy to skip this important step when installing a new garbage disposal. Refer to the installation guide for your garbage disposal for more information on removing the knockout plug.

Check for a grease clog

If the sink or garbage disposal drains okay, pull off the dishwasher drain hose from the sink or garbage disposal connection and check the end of the drain hose for a grease clog. Grease often builds up in this area. Clear the grease clog and reinstall the drain hose.

See if the dishwasher drains by running the drain pump. You can run the drain pump on many Bosch dishwashers by pressing the cancel button or by starting a cycle and then pressing the cancel button.

The drain pump runs for about 3 minutes on most models that have this feature.

Examine the sink air gap for a clog

If your Bosch dishwasher uses an air gap, you’ll need to check that for clogs as well.

Not all dishwashers use an air gap, so you may not see this component next to your sink faucet. If you have an air gap, check for water stains or water trails coming from the vent holes in the air gap cap. Water coming out of the air gap vent holes indicates a clogged air gap.

Remove the air gap cap and then the cover. Run a plumber's snake through the drain hose between the air gap and the sink drain or garbage disposal to clear the clog. Or clear the clog by blowing air through the drain hose or by using a wet/dry shop vac to suck out debris.

Reassemble the air gap and run the dishwasher drain pump to see if the dishwasher drains properly.

Check the dishwasher drain hose

If the air gap is clear, you’ll need to unplug the dishwasher power cord or shut off the house circuit breaker for your dishwasher to disconnect electrical power and check the entire drain hose for a clog.

For a Bosch dishwasher, you’ll typically need to pull the entire appliance out of the counter to check the drain hose. Use the installation instructions as a guide to pull the dishwasher out if you intend to complete this task on your own.

Clearing a clog in the drain hose should fix the draining problem in your Bosch dishwasher.

If you’re not confident that you can check this issue yourself or you’re unable to find the cause of the drain problem on your own, schedule dishwasher repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the drain problem for you.

What to expect when you experience a Bosch dishwasher won't drain issue

How is the won't drain problem fixed?

Correcting most won't drain problems usually involves replacing the drain pump, pump and motor assembly or drain hose. 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 won't drain

When the dishwasher won't drain 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 won't drain 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.

Troubleshooting a Bosch Dishwasher that is Not Draining

Fixing a Bosch dishwasher that is not draining begins with checking the sink drain. Make sure the sink drain isn’t clogged and that the garbage disposal isn’t filled with food. Run the garbage disposal and clear the drain path through the sink drain if that’s is what is preventing the dishwasher from draining.

Check the air gap for a clog if your Bosch dishwasher is not draining and it has an air gap on the kitchen sink to prevent drain water from backing up into the dishwasher. Clear the clog in the air gap if drain water doesn’t flow freely through that device.

If these basic troubleshooting steps don’t help your Bosch dishwasher that is not draining, schedule dishwasher repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to diagnose and repair the problem.
When your Bosch won’t drain at the end of a cycle, food debris or a failing drain motor might be the culprit. Pooled water is a breeding ground for odors and poor results. Don’t wrestle with a soggy aftermath; opt for dishwasher appliance repair near me. Once cleared, your Bosch flushes out each cycle’s dirty water as intended.