Kenmore Dishwasher Not Draining? Common Drainage System Issues and Fixes

Finding standing water in your Kenmore dishwasher after a cycle ends is frustrating and a very common household problem. So, when your Kenmore dishwasher isn’t draining properly, it is sure that it is trying to tell you that there is something wrong with its whole drainage system. It can be anything from simple clogs to more complicated mechanical failures. While a non-draining dishwasher might look like a job for professionals, a lot of drainage problems have straightforward DIY solutions that need just the basic tools and troubleshooting knowledge that most of us have. To give you a better idea, this blog will explore the most frequent causes of drainage issues in Kenmore dishwashers and will give you practical, step-by-step fixes so that your appliance can get back to working again without expensive repairs.

Kenmore Dishwasher’s Drainage System

Before getting to know the specific yet common problems and their solutions, it is better to understand how your Kenmore dishwasher’s drainage system actually works. The drainage system includes a lot of key parts that work together:

The drain pump draws water from the dishwasher and forces it through the hose. It is usually at the bottom. It activates during the cycle to remove the used water.
The hose carries water away from the machine to your home’s plumbing system. It is a flexible tube that connects to either the garbage disposal or the sink pipe.
The valve controls the water flow out of the dishwasher. In some models, it has to open during the drain cycle to allow water to exit.
Filter screens capture food particles and debris to prevent them from entering the drain system. Most of Kenmore’s models feature both a coarse filter and a fine filter system.
The check valve (or backflow preventer) stops dirty water from flowing back into the dishwasher once it has been pumped out.

When all of these parts work together properly, your dishwasher can easily remove water during the drain cycle. If any part of this system becomes faulty, you will start to find water in your dishwasher after the cycle ends.

Common Causes of Drainage Issues in Kenmore Dishwashers

Clogged Filters

This is one of the common reasons for drainage issues is blocked filters. Your Kenmore dishwasher’s filter system keeps food particles out of the pump and drain hose. These filters get filled with debris over time and can be very blocked.

Such dishwashers will typically have a cylindrical fine filter that catches all the small particles with a flat, coarse filter screen under it. When such filters get super clogged with food particles, soap scum, and grease, the water is not able to pass through it. This leads to poor draining or a full drainage failure.

Most of the models allow easy access to the filters at the bottom. It is important to regularly clean them, usually once a month so that there are no drainage issues from the start.

Blocked Drain Hose

The hose takes the water from the machine to the drainage system of your home. It can easily develop blockages in a lot of ways:

Some of the food that can go past the filters can get stuck in the hose and gradually build up until the water flow gets restricted. These blockages usually occur at bends or connection points.
Grease buildup can also narrow the diameter of the hose from the inside. Hot, greasy water passes through easily but gradually makes a layer of grease as it cools down.
Kinks in the hose can also restrict the flow of water. If you have moved your dishwasher, then the hose might have bent and had a kink.
It is also possible that the drain hose is not in the correct position. For proper drainage, the hose needs to be at a height. It is usually looped up to the bottom of the countertop before going down the drain connection. This loop prevents backflow and improves drainage.

Clogged Garbage Disposal or Air Gap

If your Kenmore dishwasher is connected to a garbage disposal, then it can end up in a clogged disposal. This is a very common and overlooked cause. But, when you install a new garbage disposal, most manufacturers include a knockout plug. It has to be removed before you connect it to a dishwasher. If this plug stays in place, then your dishwasher has nowhere to go.

Even when it is correctly installed, food does get clogged at the point of connection between the dishwasher drain hose and the disposal inlet. That is why you ought to keep it clean regularly so that you don’t experience this kind of clog.

At times, some installations also include an air gap – a small cylinder mounted on the sink that helps avoid backflow. This can also become clogged with food which then prevents proper drainage. All you need to do is clean this air gap.

Faulty Drain Pump

This part is the heart of your dishwasher’s drainage system. It is an electrical pump that is activated during the drain cycle to force out the water. There are a lot of problems that can affect its performance:

Physical things like broken glass, toothpicks, or small utensils can jam the pump impeller which prevents it from spinning freely. This will end up making unusual noises during the cycle before the whole system fails.
Electrical problems can also prevent the pump from working. There could be motor, wiring, or control board troubles that don’t give it enough power to run.
With this, mechanical wear also affects older dishwashers. The pump motor or impeller can wear out after years of use. This reduces its efficiency and causes a failure.

To diagnose a faulty pump, you need to listen to the motor during a cycle. If it is working properly, then it would make a humming sound. But if there is silence, then it has no power or it has already failed.

Check Valve Problems

This helps in keeping water from flowing back into the dishwasher after being pumped out. It is a one-way valve that can become stuck in the open or closed way.

Stuck in a closed position prevents water from leaving the dishwasher at all, which means you will have standing water after every cycle.
The open position will make the water flow back into the machine after the cycle is completed. This will end up in dirty water coming up in the dishwasher tub again and again.

Apart from this, mineral buildup from hard water can also affect it because debris can get caught in the valve mechanism. Regular maintenance and occasional cleaning can help it work properly.

Timer or Control Board Failures

Modern Kenmore dishwashers actually depend on electronic control systems to do sequence operations, including the drain cycle. If any issues come up with these electronic parts, the machine will not be able to enter the cycle properly.

Timer failures in older models would prevent the appliance from going into the drain cycle.
Electronic control board malfunctions in new models would stop sending proper signals to the drain system.
Wiring problems between the control systems and the drain parts can disturb the signals that are needed.
These electronic troubles are hard to diagnose and repair if you don’t have specialized tools and knowledge.

DIY Solutions for Kenmore Dishwasher Drainage Problems

Cleaning the Filters

It is the most important task – cleaning your dishwasher’s filters. This should be the first step when you are resolving drainage issues. To do this:

Remove the bottom dish rack to reach the bottom of the dishwasher.
Find the cylindrical filter assembly in the centre or back of the machine. In most models, you can easily remove this by turning it counterclockwise and lifting it up.
Separate the fine filter from the coarse one.
Rinse both of them and their parts under running warm water. Use an old toothbrush to remove any debris. Remember to pay special attention to the mesh screen areas where food can get stuck.
Check the filter area in the dishwasher, and clean that too.
Reassemble the parts and lock them back into place by turning clockwise.

This is a simple maintenance task that should be done monthly to stop all the buildup that leads to drainage problems.

Unclogging the Drain Hose

If the filters are clean but the drainage problems are still there, the hose might be clogged. You should check and clear it:

Turn off the power by unplugging it or turning off the circuit breaker.
Move the dishwasher forward to reach the hose at the back. If not, then you can remove the lower access panel.
Place a shallow pan under the connections to catch water.
Detach the hose from both the machine and the connection.
Check it for kinks, bends, or other obvious blockages.
Run the water through the hose from both directions to check and clear it. You can also use a plumber’s snake or straightened coat hanger to remove them.
But, if it is badly clogged or damaged, replacing it would be necessary.
When you are reinstalling, make sure that the hose forms a high loop before you put it in the drain connection. This will stop the backflow and improve the drainage.

Checking and Cleaning the Garbage Disposal Connection

If the machine is draining through your disposal, then check if the connection is clear.

Switch off the power to the disposal and dishwasher for your safety.
Check the appliance inlet on the disposal. If it is newly installed, make sure that the knockout plug has been removed.
Clean the machine thoroughly by running ice cubes, citrus peels, and cold water through it.
With the power still disconnected, use a flashlight to check the interior of the disposal, especially around the appliance’s inlet. Clear out any visible obstructions.
Along with this, if your installation includes an air gap on the sink, remove the chrome cap and clean if there is debris from the internal parts.

Inspecting and Testing the Drain Pump

If you think there are drain pump problems, you can do some basic diagnostics:

Listen for the pump during the cycle. A humming sound shows that it is getting power.
For a more detailed inspection, switch off the power and remove the lower access panel.
Check if anything is stuck around the pump intake. Small objects can actually stop the impeller from spinning freely.
Look for signs of water leakage from it. If there are, then it means there are seal failures.

If you have a multimeter and basic electrical knowledge, you can test to see if there is continuity at the pump motor ends. Although, it is always better to leave electrical repairs to professionals.

Checking the Check Valve

This can be inspected and cleaned easily so that the dishwasher starts to work properly.

Locate the check valve which is usually found along the drain path near the pump outlet.
Disconnect it for inspection (some models have this valve built into the pump assembly).
Check if the valve flapper or ball is moving freely. It should be able to move easily in one direction but resist movement in the opposite direction.
Clean up any debris or mineral buildup with vinegar and a soft brush.
Put the valve back and make sure it is fitted correctly.

Maintenance Tips

To make sure that you don’t go through these drainage problems again, use simple maintenance practices:

Scrape dishes before loading to reduce the amount of food entering the dishwasher.
Run hot water in the sink before starting the dishwasher to make sure the water is hot from the start.
Clean the filters monthly, more frequently if you notice the drainage is slowing down.
Use a dishwasher cleaner product every 1-3 months to remove grease and mineral buildup from internal parts.
Run an empty cycle with a cup of white vinegar placed on the top rack occasionally to help dissolve soap scum and grease.
Check the drain hose connections to see if they are tight and leak-free.

Conclusion

A Kenmore dishwasher that is not able to drain properly is very frustrating but in most cases, you can diagnose and fix the problem by yourself with basic tools and some troubleshooting knowledge. Once you understand how the drainage system works and follow the maintenance tips, you can keep your machine running perfectly for years to come. Remember that regular maintenance is the way you can stop most of the drainage problems before they even start. Give a little attention to your appliance’s filters and drain system and it will save you from a non-draining dishwasher and costly repair bills. But, if you have tried these and still your Kenmore dishwasher not draining properly, consult Barton Appliance Repair professionals!

Kenmore Dishwasher Not Draining? Common Drainage System Issues and Fixes