The dishwasher won't drain—what should I do?
One day, without warning, your dishwasher stops before finishing washing the dishes. Water stagnates inside and won't drain, and instead of the sound of a pump and gurgling water, you hear a strange humming and clicking noise.
What should I do? Let's try to figure out why my dishwasher isn't draining.
Causes of malfunction
All possible drain-related issues can be divided into two groups. The first group is associated with various blockages, while the second involves a malfunction of some component in the dishwasher. Let's list all the possible causes of this type of malfunction:
- The drain hose is kinked somewhere, preventing water from draining. Simply straighten it out and try turning the machine on again. This simple problem is rare.
- coarse filter clogged. Don't neglect the simple rule of cleaning dishes from food residues before loading. Bones, napkins and other debris clog the filter holes, preventing water from draining from the tank.
- Clogged drain sections. Food that has passed through the filter can create a blockage anywhere in the drainage system, such as the pipes, drain hose, or pump.
- the pump burned out;
- the pressure switch is faulty;
- The software module is broken.
In some Bosch dishwashers from the SRV, SRS, or SKF series, a drainage problem is only detected at the end of the cycle. Mid-cycle, the machine doesn't drain the water and continues washing dishes using only the wastewater. However, when you open the door, you'll see water remaining in the drum. Some models of machines may stop in the middle of the program and the display will show the word “END” and an indicator in the form of a drawn tap, which indicates an error in the program process.
In Bosch dishwashers from the SMV, SPS or SKS series, if there is a display, the following will appear: fault code E24, indicating a drain problem. If the dishwasher doesn't have a display, the lights will come on, a beep will sound, and the machine will stop working.
Please note! Error code TO03 will appear on Ariston dishwashers, I20 on Electrolux dishwashers, and E2 on Candy dishwashers.
We remove the blockage and replace the pump
So, your dishwasher isn't draining. What should you do? Unplug it. Next, inspect the machine for blockages, starting with the drain hose. Disconnect it from the drain and place it in a bucket. If water flows, the trap or drain line is clogged. If water doesn't flow, look for a blockage in the dishwasher itself. First, clean the filters. Here's what to do:
- open the machine door and remove the dish baskets;
- unscrew the filter cap located at the bottom of the machine’s tank and remove the filter cup;
- then pull out the mesh;
- rinse the “glass” and the mesh under running water, using a toothbrush and dishwashing detergent if necessary;
- Next, unscrew the drain pump cover and carefully check how the impeller rotates with your finger. It is possible that debris has gotten into it as well. Be careful, as not only fruit pits but also small fragments of dishes can get into it;
Please note! In Bosch dishwashers with the SRV or SGV models, the pump cover is held in place by a single screw. In Bosch SMV or SPV models, the cover snaps into place and may not always be open.
- close the pump.
- put the filter back in place.
If the water still drains after you start the dishwasher, the problem lies in the internal components, especially the pump. We'll describe how to get to it.
- First, you will need to drain the water from the dishwasher by manually scooping it out of the tank or tilting it forward to allow the water to drain.
- We take out the drain filter again.
- Then we turn the car over on its back and remove the pan, which is attached with screws.
Important! When removing the drip tray, be careful. On Bosch machines, the Aqua-Stop sensor may be attached to it. Do not pull on it to avoid damaging the wires.
- We disconnect the sensor and move the pan aside.
- Now we unscrew the pump and remove the hoses from it.
- Next, check the impeller; it should rotate intermittently. If it doesn't, it's best to replace the unit.
- Then check the resistance by connecting the multimeter probes to the pump contacts. Normally, the resistance should be about 200 ohms. Check if voltage is supplied to the pump from the control board.
- If the pump is faulty, it is best to buy an original spare part for Bosch or Ariston and install it in place of the faulty one.
Checking the pressure switch and software module
When water stands in the tray and won't drain, the water level sensor may be the culprit. If the high-pressure tank or the tube connected to the pressure switch is defective, the dishwasher's water level readings will be distorted. Even if the tray is full, the sensor may not send a signal to the control module, causing the pump to fail to operate, leaving water in the tank. In this situation, it's necessary to Replacing the pressure switch in a dishwasher.
As you can see, the control module is involved in the water drainage circuit. Therefore, if it fails, the water will not drain. This could be a short circuit, wear and tear on the device, or a firmware error. In general, the software module is the most complex and expensive component in the machine. It's best to entrust its replacement to a specialist; it may even be possible to repair it.
So, having eliminated the cause of standing water in the dishwasher's drum, you need to run a test wash and check that the machine is working and draining properly. We hope this article was informative, and thank you to the enthusiasts who post videos on how to repair Bosch, Ariston, Indesit, and any other dishwasher themselves.
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There's no water in the tray, the drain pump is draining, the tap light is on the display, and the E15 error is showing. What could be the problem?
Check the microswitch from the float, maybe the contacts are stuck or even jammed.
There's water in the pan! Tighten the bolts on top of the metal mesh!
We can’t open the cover under which the pump is, and there’s nothing under the screwdriver.
The water wouldn't drain. I removed the filter and found no blockages. I spun the impeller. Everything was fine. I thought the motor was dead. I took the machine apart, removed the motor, and discovered that fine threads and hairs had gotten caught on the shaft between the impeller and the housing. I cleaned them and put everything back together. It's working.
It's not draining. There are no clogs. I removed the pump and connected it to 220V. It hums but doesn't spin. I bent some kind of sensor thing, and the motor started working. I put it back and it still won't drain. What else can I check?
My Bosch washing machine won't drain. The motor starts, runs for a couple of seconds, and then stops. But that's not enough—the water still remains. It tries this three times, then freezes and turns on the faucet—an error. If I restart it a couple of times, I can drain the water completely. I checked the hose—the water drains fine. What's the problem?
I have the same problem. How did you solve it? Replacing the pump?
Thanks, the video helped. I removed the pump cover, cleaned it, and wiped it down. It worked. I did clean all the drain hoses, including the elbow the machine is connected to, before that. Now everything is fine and clean.
Thanks for the wonderful, detailed instructions. I fixed the car in 2 minutes.
My Bosch SKS40E washing machine doesn't drain at the end of the cycle. If I turn it off and then restart it, then press and hold the reset button, the water drains. The engine still runs. What's wrong? The hoses and drain are all clean. The filter mesh and motor are clean.