Originally Created on: September 12, 2022 @ 3:16 pm
Have you discovered that your Frigidaire dishwasher is not draining and are wondering what the problem might be? As we’ll discover below, there are several potential causes for your dishwasher not draining.
Frigidaire is a reputable brand known for producing high-quality kitchen appliances including dishwashers. A Frigidaire dishwasher, like any other dishwasher, may fail to drain properly as required. This could be due to a variety of factors. Fortunately, fixing a clogged Frigidaire dishwasher is quite simple.
This article will explain why your Frigidaire dishwasher isn’t draining and how to fix it.
Continue reading to learn more.
Table of Content
Frigidaire Dishwasher Not Draining
Frigidaire Dishwasher not draining is a common problem experienced by most dishwashers. The main reasons for this could be that food debris has clogged the filter, the water pump has been damaged, or the hose drain is clogged.
The filter plays a crucial part in your Frigidaire dishwasher’s trapping of food particles and prevents 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 Frigidaire 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 Frigidaire 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 possible reasons why your dishwasher is not draining. The first reason it isn’t draining is that the filters have become clogged with leftover food and grime. As previously stated, a filter is critical in preventing small soggy bits of food from attempting to enter 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: Remove all Dishes From 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: 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: Inspect 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: Check 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 Frigidaire Dishwasher Drain?
Resetting a Frigidaire dishwasher drain is simple. In this section, we will cover the simple steps on how to reset a Frigidaire dishwasher drain.
Step By Step Guide:
Step 1: Long press the “start” or “Start/Resume” button until you see the green active light or until the On light goes out. Do this ideally for about 1 to 2 seconds.
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 Frigidaire dishwasher model.
Step 5: If the dishwasher still fails to function correctly, you’ll need to turn off the circuit breaker connected to the dishwasher for about 5 minutes. Restore the power connection to the dishwasher and check if everything functions properly.
If the above steps don’t work, it might be a good time to contact the customer service department or a specialized technician to help with the situation.
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Final Thoughts
Frigidaire 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 Frigidaire dishwasher is it not draining properly.
If you’ve been wondering why your Frigidaire dishwasher won’t drain, we hope this article has shed some light. There are numerous causes for your Frigidaire dishwasher not draining, but the most popular ones are a clogged drain hose, a dirty filter, or a damaged pump.