Bosch Dishwasher Not Draining (The ULTIMATE Fix Guide)

Originally Created on: September 10, 2022 @ 3:01 pm

Have you discovered that your Bosch dishwasher is not draining and wondering what could be the issue? There are several things that could be making your dishwasher not drain properly as we will discuss below.

Bosch is a reputable German brand that is known for manufacturing high-quality kitchen appliances including dishwashers. However, just like any other dishwasher, a Bosch dishwasher may fail to drain properly as required. This could be a result of multiple reasons. Fortunately, fixing a clogged Bosch dishwasher is not difficult.

In this article, we will be informing you why your Bosch dishwasher is not draining and how to fix it. Keep reading to find out more.

Table of Content

Bosch Dishwasher Not Draining

Bosch Dishwasher not draining is a common problem. The main reasons why it is not draining are because food debris has clogged in the filter, the water pump is damaged or the hose drain is clogged. 

The filter plays a crucial part in your Bosch dishwasher’s trapping of food particles as well as preventing excess food and grease from being re-deposited in the dishwasher. If it is not regularly cleaned, it can become blocked by food residues thus preventing your dishwasher from draining properly.

If the filters are okay, then another likely culprit is a blocked drain hose. The drain hose is a crucial component of your Bosch dishwasher that carries dirty water away from the machine. Your drain hose will not drain water properly if it is filled up with food particles and grime. If the drain hose is in good shape, then the problem could be on the sink drain. The drain hose from the dishwasher is usually connected to the main sink drain and if it is blocked, then your dishwasher will not be able to drain water properly.

The final reason why your Bosch dishwasher is not draining is that the drain pump is damaged. Like the drain hose and filter, the drain pump can also be clogged by the buildup of grime and food leftovers thus damaging it. If you hear the drain pump producing weird sounds, then that is an indication that it is struggling because it is damaged.

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Why is My Dishwasher Not Draining?

There are several reasons why your dishwasher is not draining. The first likely reason why it is not draining is that the filters have been blocked by food leftovers and grime. As mentioned earlier, a filter plays a crucial role in preventing small soggy bits of food from finding their way into the neatly cleaned dishes or clogging your drain. 

Some filters are self-cleaning while others need to be cleaned manually. If your filter is not cleaned regularly as required by the manufacturer, then it will block, making it hard for your dishwasher to drain.

The motor also plays a key role in ensuring your dishwasher drains properly. If it is damaged, then that will seriously compromise the draining capability of your appliance.

Your dishwasher will also not drain if the drain hose that is connected to the sink drain is clogged. The drain hose is responsible for removing dirty water that has been used to clean your dishes to the main garbage disposal line. If it is filled up with food residues or grime, then it will not drain properly as it should.

Other possible reasons why your dishwasher is not draining property include a faulty timer, drain valve, or belt.

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How to Drain a Dishwasher

You have probably experienced this at some point. You open your dishwasher ready to put your dirty dishes only to discover that a pool of grimy, soapy water is standing at the bottom of the dishwasher. If it is your first time seeing this, you may be confused about whether to hire an expert to drain the dishwasher or drain it on your own. 

Draining a dishwasher is not as difficult as many people think. It is a simple process that will take you a few minutes to complete. In this section, we will give you a simple step-by-step process on how to drain a dishwasher.

Process of Draining A Dishwasher

Step 1: Prepare the Dishwasher

Prepare your dishwasher by removing all dishes that you had tossed inside. Also, switch off the dishwasher from the main socket to cut off the power supply. This will help ensure no damage to your utensils and enough space to work on the draining process.

Step 2: Use a Towel to Get Rid of Stagnant Water 

Once you have removed all dishes from the machine, the next process is to drain the water sitting at the bottom of the machine. The best way to do this is by using a towel. This will help prevent any water leakage onto the floor.

Step 3: Check and Clean the Drain Hose

Once you have drained water from the appliance, the next crucial step is to inspect the drain hose. This will help you know why the machine is not draining. This crucial component is located behind the dishwasher or right under your main sink. Disconnect the drain hose then inspect it to see if it is in good shape. If it is blocked, use a small stick or wire to unblock it.

You may also use vinegar and baking powder at the bottom of the dishwasher and let it seat for about 15 minutes. Then run a rinse cycle at the highest heat setting.

Step 4: Check the Filter

If the drain hose is not blocked, check the filter. If it is dirty, remove it then clean it with hot soapy water before reinstalling it.

Step 5: Inspect Your Garbage Disposal

If you have a garbage disposal, you’ll need to inspect it and turn it on. This will help remove any backup of debris that could have been deposited in the drain line, allowing water to drain from the dishwasher. You’ll then need to run a rinse cycle and check if this solves the problem.

Step 6: Disconnect The Dishwasher From The Power Source

If the problem persists, unplug your dishwasher from the power source or try turning off the circuit breaker connected to the dishwasher to prevent electrocuting yourself.

Step 7: Check Your Sink’s Air Gap

You’ll need to check your sink air gap if you don’t have a garbage disposal. To check if this is the problem, you’ll need to remove it and then clean out any debris with a stiff brush. Once it’s all clean, return it back in place and try running your dishwasher one more time.

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Why is there standing water at the bottom of the dishwasher?

The reason why there is water standing at the boom of the dishwasher is that your dishwasher is not draining properly as it should. The likely culprit could be a blocked drain hose. If the drain hose is not draining used water from the drain hose, then it will have nowhere else to go and will thus settle on the bottom of the machine.

Another likely reason why there is water at the bottom of your dishwasher is that the filter is clogged thus unable to allow the free flow of water. A damaged drain pump could also cause water to settle at the bottom of the machine.

In the case of a brand new dishwasher, water standing at the bottom of the dishwasher is mostly due to testing before shipping. This ensures that no malfunctioning appliances are delivered to clients.

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How Do You Reset a Bosch Dishwasher Drain?

Resetting a bosch dishwasher drain is simple. In this section, we will give you simple steps on how to reset a Bosch dishwasher drain.

Step 1: Long press the start button until you see the green active light or until the On light goes out.

Step 2: Let the Dishwasher Cool and Drain. Give your dishwasher about 10 minutes for the water to cool and drain

Step 3: Check the drain hose to see if it has any kind of clogs or kinks. If the drain hose is clogged, remove all grime and leftover food that has blocked it. Once you are done, return the drain hose back into position.

Step 4: Restart the machine to see if the error code has cleared. You may be required to start from the drain cycle or a new wash cycle depending on your Bosch dishwasher model.

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Final Thoughts

Bosch dishwashers are indeed one of the most reliable dishwashers on the market. However, just like other dishwasher brands on the market, they are not 100% problem free. One of the common issues you are likely to experience with your Bosch dishwasher is it not draining properly.

If you have been wondering why your Bosch dishwasher is not draining, we hope that this article has shed some light. There are many reasons why your Bosch dishwasher is not draining but the most likely reasons are blocked drain hose, dirty filter, or damaged pump.