Sears Home Services
Sears Home Advantage
appointment lookup logoAppointment Lookup
telephone logo646-440-2692
RepairHome WarrantyTune-Up & MaintainFencingShop Parts
Resources
RepairHome WarrantyTune-Up & MaintainFencingShop PartsResource CenterGlossaryHelp
sears home advantageSears Home Advantageappointment lookup logoAppointment Lookup
  1. Repair
  2. Maytag
  3. Maytag Dishwasher
  4. Dishwasher not draining

Maytag dishwasher not draining

Common reasons your Maytag dishwasher is not draining

The most common reasons your Maytag dishwasher is not draining are a failed drain pump, cracked drain hose or a defective electronic control board.

  • 35%

    35% of the time it's the
    Drain Pump

  • 29%

    29% of the time it's the
    Drain Hose

  • 17%

    17% of the time it's the
    Electronic Control Board

  • 19%

    19% of the time it's the
    Something else

  • Use The Repair or Replace Calculator

    Determine What's Best For Your Appliance

    Product Type
    Home Appliance Brand
    How Old Is Your Appliance?

    Most common repairs needed to fix a Maytag 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 a Maytag 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.

    What our customers say about us

    With more than 1.3 Million 5 Star Reviews, you don't have to take our word for it

    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

    Repair Dishwasher Resources

    Title image for blog article "How Does a Rinse Aid Dispenser Work?"
    7 min readNov. 29

    Learn how a rinse aid dispenser works in a dishwasher and how to troubleshoot problems.

    Title image for blog article "How Does a Dishwasher Air Gap Work?"
    5 min readNov. 27

    Learn how an air gap works in the drain system of a dishwasher.

    Title image for blog article "How Does a Portable Dishwasher Work?"
    7 min readNov. 13

    Learn how a portable dishwasher works.

    Title image for blog article "How Does a Recirculation Pump Work?"
    5 min readNov. 13

    Learn how a recirculation pump works in a dishwasher and how to troubleshoot pump problems.

    Glossary Terms

    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.

    A furnace blower motor is a crucial component of a home heating system that drives the fan responsible for circulating air throughout the HVAC system and into the living spaces of the home.

    A furnace condensate pump is a device installed in HVAC systems, particularly high-efficiency furnaces, to collect and automatically remove the water (condensate) produced during the heating process.

    A furnace door is a crucial component of a home heating system, providing access to the interior of the furnace for maintenance, repairs, and inspections. It helps in maintaining the system's efficiency and safety.

    Additional possible Maytag dishwasher symptoms you may experience