What To Do if Your Frigidaire Dishwasher Won’t Drain

It’s always a frustrating experience when you open your Frigidaire dishwasher and find the bottom full of water! There are a few reasons behind why a dishwasher won’t drain, but we’ve got solutions for all of them. Read on to find out what to do if your dishwasher won’t drain. 

This article refers to all main models of Frigidaire dishwasher, including: DW1800Y0, DW4500FW1, DW5900PW1, F71C663BB0, F71C663BD0, F71C663BS0, F71C765BB0, F71C765BS0, F71C765BT0, F71C885BB0, F71C885BS0, F71C885BT0, FFBD2406NW0A, FFBD2411NS0A, FGHD2433KB1, FGHD2433KF1, FGHD2465NF1A, FGID2466QF4A, FGID2466QF5A, FGID2466QF6A, and FPHD2491KF0.

Blocked filter 

A blocked filter is one of the most common reasons that your dishwasher may not be draining properly. When this happens, you’ll notice water pooling in the bottom of your dishwasher, and you might also notice that the water appears dirty. 

To fix this:

• Locate the filter. In most Frigidaire dishwashers, it’s at the bottom of the dishwasher and consists of two parts: an inner and outer filter. 
• Twist the filter and lift it out. Check it for food and debris, and run it under warm water while scrubbing with a soft brush. If the debris is particularly stubborn, you might need to soak it in a mild detergent and water solution before you scrub. 
• Put the filter back, making sure it is firmly locked in place.
• Run a quick cycle to check if your dishwasher is draining. 

It’s important to regularly clean the filter to make sure drainage issues don’t occur. Once a month is a good rule of thumb for keeping your dishwasher running optimally. 

Kinked or blocked drain hose 

If you checked and cleaned the filter and your dishwasher is still not draining, the next most likely culprit is an issue with the drain hose. To check this out:

• Locate the drain hose. This is usually at the back of the dishwasher—you might have to pull the dishwasher out in order to get access to it. 
• Check to see if the hose has any visible kinks. If it does, straighten them, then use zip ties to secure the hose into place so that future kinks don’t occur. 
• If it doesn’t have kinks, you’ll need to check for an internal blockage. Prepare the area with old towels to catch any residual water, then unclamp the hose and remove it. Hold it over the sink to drain out any residual water, and use a long brush or wire to clear out any blockages. 
• Run water through the hose to make sure it’s running clearly, then reattach it to your dishwasher and run a test cycle. 

Drain valve issue 

An issue with a drain valve is less common, but if you’ve ruled out a problem with the filter and the drainage hose, the valve could be the culprit. To fix this:

• Disconnect the dishwasher from the power source and locate the drain valve. It’s located at the bottom of the dishwasher; you might need to look at your Frigidaire manual to find the exact location. 
• Check for visible damage to the valve. If it looks  worn out or damaged, you’ll need to replace it. You can order a replacement part online.
• To replace the part, disconnect the drain hose and remove the screws that hold the valve in place. Put them somewhere safe, then pull out the old valve and install the new one.
• Turn the power back on, and run a short test cycle. If the valve was the issue, your dishwasher should be draining normally. 

Faulty drain impeller

The drain impeller is a small, spinning blade that forces water out of the dishwasher and into the drain hose. If there is an issue with the impeller, your dishwasher won’t be able to drain properly. To fix this issue:

• After turning off the power supply, locate the impeller. It is part of the drain pump assembly at the bottom of your dishwasher, but you may need to look at your manual to find out exactly how to access it. You’ll need to lift out the entire drain pump unit in order to access the impeller.
• Check for visible damage to the impeller, and make sure it spins smoothly. If it appears stuck or damaged, you’ll need to replace the impeller. You can order a new part online. 
• Unscrew the old impeller from the motor shaft of the drain pump, and put the new one in place. Put everything back together, then run a test cycle. 

Faulty drain pump

If your dishwasher isn’t draining and the hose, filter, impeller, and valve have all been ruled out, the entire pump mechanism could be to blame. Diagnosing this issue is a little more complicated, and will require the use of a multimeter. If you don’t have one, you can get them from your local hardware store or online. 

• Firstly, you’ll need to test your pump with the multimeter to see if it has continuity. If it has no continuity, it needs replacing. The pump is located at the bottom of your dishwasher—if you’re having issues locating it, check your Frigidaire manual. You’ll have to remove the lower rack and spray arm to access it. 
• After purchasing a replacement part online, disconnect the old pump. It will either be bolted into place or held in place with clips. Make sure you disconnect the wiring as well. Before you take it apart, it’s a good idea to take a picture with your phone so you can remember how it all fits together. 
• Install the new pump in place, referring to your photo if necessary. After installing it, you can put the dishwasher back together.
• Run a test cycle to ensure that the dishwasher is now draining properly. 

If your dishwasher still isn’t draining, you may need to consult a professional. There could be a larger electrical issue at fault that would be too difficult for a DIYer to attempt.