Samsung dishwasher not draining

Common reasons your Samsung dishwasher is not draining

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

  • 28%

    28% of the time it's the
    Drain Pump

  • 26%

    26% of the time it's the
    Drain Hose

  • 15%

    15% of the time it's the
    Electronic Control Board

  • 31%

    31% of the time it's the
    Something else

  • Schedule your dishwasher repair now!

    We can help! Our service technicians have repaired over 60,000 Samsung dishwashers. We can fix yours no matter where you bought it.

    Call (646) 440-2692 or schedule online now.

    Most common repairs needed to fix a Samsung 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 Samsung 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.

    Samsung Dishwasher Water Not Draining

    When water is not draining from your Samsung dishwasher, follow these troubleshooting tips to fix the problem:

    • Check the kitchen sing drain to see if it’s clogged. Clear that clog if water isn’t draining from the kitchen sink.
    • If the dishwasher drain hose is connected to the garbage disposal under your sink, run the garbage disposal to clear food from the disposal to dishwasher water will drain freely through the garbage disposal.
    • If you recently installed a new garbage disposal under your kitchen sink, make sure the garbage disposal knock-out plug for the dishwasher drain connection is removed. Knock out that plug if it wasn’t removed during garbage disposal installation so the dishwasher will drain properly.
    • If you have an air gap installed in the dishwasher drain line at the kitchen sink, clear that air gap if it’s clogged.
    • Place a bucket under the drain hose connection to the garbage disposal or kitchen sink drain and pull the dishwasher drain hose off the connection under the sink. Check for grease or debris clogging the dishwasher drain hose. Remove the clog if you see one at the end of the dishwasher drain hose. If you suspect an internal clog in the dishwasher drain hose, try to suck out the clog using a wet/dry shop vacuum.

    If these basic troubleshooting tips don’t help your resolve the problem with your Samsung dishwasher water not draining, schedule dishwasher repair service and we’ll send an experienced Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the appliance.

    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

    Why Won’t My Dishwasher Clean My Dishes?
    12 min readJan. 16

    Learn what causes poor dishwasher cleaning results and find out how to get dishes cleaned spotlessly in the dishwasher.

    Is It Worth Repairing a Dishwasher?
    11 min readJan. 16

    Discover if it's worth fixing a dishwasher with Sears Home Services. Get expert advice and make the right choice.

    Title image for blog article "Why is my Dishwasher Stopping Mid-Cycle?"
    7 min readJan. 16

    Find out why your dishwasher is stopping mid-cycle and how to fix common problems that cause this symptom.

    Title image for blog article "5 Reasons Why Your Dishwasher Is Leaking from the Bottom".
    6 min readJan. 16

    Get expert tips on finding out why your dishwasher is leaking from underneath.

    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 ductless air conditioner, often referred to as a mini-split, is a highly efficient cooling system that operates without the need for extensive ductwork, making it ideal for space-specific cooling and homes without existing ducts.

    A ductless range hood, also known as a recirculating hood, filters and recirculates air in the kitchen, removing smoke, heat, and cooking odors without venting outdoors.

    A freezer compressor is a vital component of a freezer's refrigeration system, functioning as a pump to circulate refrigerant through the system, which cools the interior by absorbing and expelling heat.

    Chat