Dishwasher Not Draining? Check the Drain Hose Check Valve

Our Whirlpool dishwasher wasn't draining. The filters weren't plugged. The water pump worked fine. All the typical suggested things to do, didn't work. I discovered that it was a drain hose check valve that was stuck.

A stuck drain hose check valve might be the reason your dishwasher won't drain! It was for me.

[JW-vlbp]

Thank you so much for thoroughly explaining how to troubleshoot this issue. Your instructions effectively solved my problem, saving me time, money and more frustration! 😊

[tsoto-]

We tried another video (which did a great job explaining filters, drainpipe, etc), but it never mentioned the hose drain valve. Ding, ding, ding, Scott - we have a winner! Looks like this did it. Many thanks!

[JF]

Didn’t know there was a check valve on the drain line. Have same exact issues. Changed pump. Checked trap no debris obstructing waste line will check the check valve on the hose. Thanks for sharing your knowledge 👍

[B.Leonard]

THANK YOU! This video saved me from buying/replacing the pump. Watched the video, checked the hose first and found the same problem you described! This is the only video that mentions the value in the hose!

[CameronArnott-dl]

Thank You! I followed the same process as you..saw no blockage in drain, changed pump and same issue…was baffled..searched You Tube, saw your video and now working great!
Really appreciate the video!

[drheinous]

Thanks so much! Yours is the only "dishwasher not draining" video on YouTube of the dozens I've watched that even mentions that there is a check valve in the drain line.

[Ebikdrm]

Hi Scott. Great tip on the stuck drain. I checked my drain pump and it was fine after removing the hose from the pump. The pump was turning just fine. Then I ran a small flexible bottlebrush into the drain hose to make sure the check valve was turning and it was moving and didn’t appear stuck. Then I looked at the drain hose which was connected to the garbuerator plumbing and it didn’t look right. I took it off and ran my bottle brush into it and a large ball of grease came out. I then cleaned it the best I could and then reattached it and attached the pump drain hose and put some very hot water in the dish washer. Hit the drain button and “presto” the dishwasher drained beautifully. Will make sure to run the dishwasher on a hot water cycle more often to keep the drain hose clear. Thanks for your great video and helping me solve my problem! Andy

[djaziztube]

I just figured this out myself for my dishwasher after doing pretty much all the same diagnostics you described and I am glad to see that the fix is documented somewhere. As someone else mentioned, too bad it did not show up in search results for me.

[PedroPerez-vuyi]

Yes Sir! Thank you for sharing. This was the problem with my new Whirlpool dishwasher. They ought to have this in the troubleshooting charts.

[danh]

OMG I'm sick to my stomach after countless hours/replacing drain pump over 3 days only to destroy some sensor that wasnt a "propeller" that I was trying to pry off with a screwdriver (that I watched in another video). This was 100% my problem...$500 replacement from lowes arrives tomorrow :(

I cant believe this advice isn't the 1st solution on the internet for dishwashers that dont drain

[michael-hdnc]

Thank you. This was my issue and watching your video led me to the solution. The check valve felt immovable to the touch even though I could open it by blowing on the hose. I jammed a screwdriver in there and that really opened it and then a disk of jagged plastic that was not part of the valve fell out. Problem solved.

[dpm]

Wow this is big! Thank you. I didn't even know that the check valve was in the drain hose. For some reason I thought it was in the pump itself. Sure enough I stuck my finger in there and POP, it freed itself. Thanks so much! I was stumped up until now.

[TheArredondoenrique]

Great video, it helped me solve my issue, I installed a brand new garbage disposal on my sink, and that disposal has the dishwasher inlet closed with a plug. but didn't notice until trying to use the dishwasher, as soon as I tried to blow air thru the hose, it was 0 air in, with some pliers as was able to make sure valve worked fine. Thanks

[scottvarley]

your story is exactly like mine checked everything, and replaced the drain pump. I think my final issue was a pumpkin seed on the pump side of the check valve.
I found your video when I was doing a final check on YouTube before I put everything back together.

[barrybjjones]

Thank you so much. Our house is 1.5 years old and Im thankful we didn't hire someone over this. Thanks good Sir!

[paulreese]

Brilliant--saved me a lot of time by trying this First! My wife was already worried about the $1000 cost for a new dishwasher if we couldn't fix this one. Cleaned the hose and check valve and it's back to perfect.

[AbdelOveAllhan]

Check the drain pump impeller blade area. That means pulling out the DW, turn it sideways, disassemble the pump and shake out the obstruction. I found a piece of ceramic from a serving bowl with a missing chip...fit perfectly. DW works like a champ now.

[juancampos]

Thanks was very helpful, this was my issue. Did the filters, checked the pump and then was stuck until I came across your video. Thanks so much! 👍🏻

[hanwang]

Thanks for the info! my kitchenaid machine got the similar problem, there is a small piece of plastic stuck in between this valve and the drain pump that cause the machine stop in the middle of cycle.

[orbyso]

Thanks. Very helpful. I had the same exact issue and moving inside the check valve did the trick!