Why Is My Portable Dishwasher Not Draining [4 Causes + SOLUTIONS]

Originally Created on: April 11, 2023 @ 10:15 am

Why is my portable dishwasher not draining? Once a portable dishwasher is set up and connected to a faucet, it typically works like any other type of dishwasher. After all the cleaning is done, the dishwasher should go through a draining cycle.

Typically, your portable dishwasher will not drain if a hose is too long, has been kicked, or if food particles become lodged in the hose. In some cases, a clogged filter might be the culprit. Other times, it could be due to a defective pump or an electrical issue.

So, how do you fix these problems? Where do you start with the troubleshooting? Read on to get answers to these questions and more on why your portable dishwasher isn’t draining.

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Why is My Portable Dishwasher Not Draining

Typically, dishwashers clean while draining the dirty water out to the sink or garbage disposal. It’s a crucial step to prevent dirty water from recirculating throughout the dishwasher or overfilling the unit and causing a mess.

Most of the time, portable dishwashers will drain seamlessly until a problem arises. There are several issues that can cause your unit not to drain properly as seen in the table above.

Here are these common issues in more detail;

Problem #1: The Drain Hose is Too Long

If you have just installed your dishwasher and everything seems to be working right except it’s not draining properly, there could be an issue with the installation, primarily the drain line.

Since it’s a new unit, you don’t have to worry about clogs. So, you want to make sure you have the right hose length.

At times, it might be too long that it restricts the water flow. The drain pump is usually small and it might not have enough power to push water past a given distance.

The Fix:

While the manufacturer will have their recommended length, you want to use a drain hose that is 1/2 inch in diameter and not more than 10 feet in length for proper drainage. So, if yours is longer, shorten it by cutting the extra length.

Problem #2: The Drain Hose is Kicked

Another common problem with dishwashers not draining properly is that the drain hose has been coiled causing a kink in the hose. This restricts the flow of water and prevents it from draining properly.

The Fix:

Ensure the drain line is straight and check for any kinks or coils that may be present. If there are any kinks or coils present, remove them to allow the dirty water to drain out properly.

Problem #3: Clogged Filter

At the entrance of the drain line is a small filter that removes food particles and debris. With time, the filter will collect a substantial amount of these particles and clog, which can cause your dishwasher not to drain. This will cause the dirty water to remain in your dishwasher after a wash cycle has been completed.

The Fix:

Clean or replace your filter depending on how clogged it is. Cleaning your filter regularly will help to prevent it from becoming clogged and ensure that your dishwasher drains properly.

Problem #4: A Defective Drain Pump

Like the built-in dishwashers, the portable units come with a small drain pump that pushes the dirty water out into the sink drain or garbage disposal.

If this pump was to experience a problem, the draining won’t happen. It could be that the pump module is dead or the impeller is blocked.

The Fix:

You will need to rule out all the above issues first before troubleshooting the pump. You have to find the pump, open it, and check the impeller and its housing for any obstruction. If the line is clear, check the pump to make sure it’s running.

This is where technical skills are required and if you’re not comfortable opening the dishwasher or if you don’t have the right tools, consider hiring an expert.

A Table of the Common Causes and Solutions

The table below summarizes the common causes of why a portable dishwasher won’t drain as well as their corresponding solutions.

PROBLEM	CAUSE	SOLUTION
Hose Too Long	The drain hose is too long, restricting the flow of water.	Shorten the hose.
Hose Kinked	The drain hose has been coiled causing a kink in the hose.	Straighten the hose and check for any kinks.
Clogged Filter	The filter is clogged with food particles or debris.	Clean or replace the filter.
Defective Pump	The drain pump has failed or is not working correctly.	Replace the defective pump.

How Do I Know If My Dishwasher Drain Pump Is Not Working?

If you suspect that your dishwasher’s drain pump is not working, there are a few ways to check.

• The dishwasher isn’t draining water and you’ve made sure the filter is clean and there are no clogs in the drain line. You have also ruled out any hose kinks that may be obstructing the water flow and the drain hose is an ideal length.
• Listen for any unusual noises coming from the dishwasher bottom. If you hear a humming or buzzing sound, this could be an indication the pump impeller is obstructed or loose.
• Open up the dishwasher and inspect the pump for any signs of damage or debris buildup.

Why is My Drain Pump Not Working?

Your dishwasher drain pump could be not working because of a variety of reasons from impeller obstruction, a broken impeller, electrical and circuit problems, or a dead pump.

• Impeller Obstruction: The impeller could be obstructed by debris that might have found its way into its housing preventing it from turning.
• Broken Impeller: If the impeller is broken, it won’t be able to create the necessary pull and push needed to move the water out of the dishwasher to the drain.
• Electrical and Circuit Problem: This could be an indication that the motor has shorted out or there is a broken circuit that needs reconnection.
• Dead Pump: The pump could be dead due to age or excessive wear and tear. It will need replacement in this case.

How Do I Know if My Dishwasher Drain Hose is Clogged?

If you suspect that your dishwasher drain hose may be clogged, there are a few signs to look out for. They include:

• Gurgling Sounds: If you hear gurgling coming from your dishwasher, it could be a sign of a clog in the drain hose.
• Water Overflow: If there’s an overflow of water when you open the dishwasher door, it could mean that the drain hose is blocked and needs to be cleared out.
• Slow Draining: If your dishwasher takes longer than usual to drain, it could be due to a blockage in the drain hose.
• Unclean Dishes: Clogs can prevent water from reaching all areas of the dishwasher, resulting in dishes that come out dirty or with food residue still on them.
• Loud Noises: A clog can cause loud noises as the motor struggles to push water through the blocked pipe.
• Bubbles in Soap Dispenser: If you notice bubbles coming from the soap dispenser, this could indicate that there’s a clog preventing proper rinsing of dishes.

Conclusion

A portable dishwasher should provide an effortless cleaning experience but if it won’t drain properly, it can be a hassle.

Common causes of why a portable dishwasher won’t drain include a hose that is too long, a kicked hose, a clogged filter, and a defective pump.

To fix these issues, the hose should be shortened, the hose should be straightened, and checked for any kinks, the filter should be cleaned or replaced, and the pump should be replaced if it’s defective.

If you suspect your dishwasher’s drain hose is clogged, look out for gurgling sounds, water overflow, slow draining, unclean dishes, loud noises, and bubbles in the soap dispenser.