Short answerWhirlpool, Maytag and Bosch all name the same top cause: a clogged filter or food debris in the sump. Next come a blocked garbage disposal or air gap and a kinked drain hose. On a new install, check that the disposal knockout plug was removed. Replace the drain pump only after these are ruled out.
Time and difficulty are typical, estimated values.
Quick checks (no tools)
- Make sure the cycle finished and isn't paused (Frigidaire).
- Clean the filter. Remove it and rinse it under running water. This is the most common fix.
- Run the garbage disposal. A clogged disposal can stop the dishwasher draining (Whirlpool).
- New install or new disposal? Check that the knockout plug was removed from the disposal inlet.
- Clean the air gap. Remove the chrome cover and rinse the plastic cap (GE).
- Check the high loop. Without an air gap, the drain hose needs a high loop: GE 32" from the floor, Whirlpool at least 20".
- Check the hose behind the unit for kinks — Samsung says drain problems are most often an installation issue.
- Force a drain. On Whirlpool-family models press Cancel/Drain, let the pump finish, then cut power to reset the controls.
Note: some Whirlpool portable models normally keep a little water in the filter area; it drains at the start of the next cycle.
Likely causes
| Part | Symptom | How to test | DIY difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filter / sump | Dirty standing water in the tub | Visual; rinse under running water | Easy |
| Drain pump and impeller | Hum or silence during drain | With power off, continuity test of the pump motor; check the impeller for glass or debris | Moderate |
| Drain hose | Slow or no drain, often after an install | Remove and flush; check at the pump outlet | Easy–Moderate |
| Drain valve / solenoid (older gravity-drain designs) | Motor runs but water stays | Clean the valve; test the solenoid | Moderate |
| Check valve | Dirty water returns | Inspect the flap at the pump outlet | Moderate |
| Electronic control / timer | Pump never gets power | Rule out the pump and drain path first | Hard |
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Each row links to the part category: «Shop drain pumps», «Shop filters»…
Brand notes and drain codes
- Whirlpool / Maytag / KitchenAid: F9E1 ("9 pause 1" on LED models) = long drain — see Whirlpool error codes. Cancel/Drain, then cut power to reset.
- LG: OE = not draining — see LG error codes. Clean the filter, check the hose, clean the air gap and disposal. Keep the drain loop at least 30 cm above the floor.
- Bosch: E24 = drain hose blocked or kinked; E25 = pump blocked or pump cover loose (it sits under the filter).
- GE / Café: C1–C3 and FTD / F56 = drain faults — see GE error codes. Check the hose, air gap and disposer.
- Samsung: 5C / 5E = drain error — see Samsung error codes. Run the sink for 30 s to test the house plumbing.
- Frigidaire: i20 = didn't drain completely; i40 = clogged filter or sump — see Frigidaire error codes. Make sure the glass trap/filter is installed correctly.
Common mistakes
- Leaving the knockout plug in after installing a dishwasher or disposal.
- No high loop or air gap — water siphons back.
- Not locking the pump cover back in place (Bosch E25).
- Pushing the dishwasher back onto its own hose.
- Replacing the pump before cleaning the filter and sump.
Find the right part
Whirlpool: on the tub rim. GE: left or right front inside edge of the tub, or the right side edge of the door. LG: right side of the door edge. Pumps and filters are model-specific even within one brand, so search by the full model number. → Model Number Locator.
When to call a pro
- Water leaks under the unit.
- The control board or wiring is suspected.
- The dishwasher is under warranty: Whirlpool warranty service is done only by authorized providers.