Dishwasher Not Draining? Check the Drain Hose Check Valve 

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! 😊

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!

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

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 👍

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.

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

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!

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

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.

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!

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! 👍🏻

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

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

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.

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 RU-vid before I put everything back together.

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.

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

Thank you Scott! Great clarity in your explanation.

i had the same issue, this video provided me the solution, thank you

Thank you!!! Gotta love those check valves!

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.

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.

Thanks .your video helped me complete my work order..at work..

Thanks, I'm going to try this when I get home. Sounds like it may be my problem as well, pump runs and everything is clear inside but water wont drain. 🤞

Thanks, this helped me from saving me a lot of money! Great video.

My setup also has a check valve in the hose from vent to disposal. Prevents backup from disposal to dishwasher check valve and access is much easier.

Straight to the point. 💫💫💫

Bingo! You rock for this video. 15 min fix!

You saved me, thank you so much

helped me fix mine! thank you!

I think this video saved me from buying a new washer. After unclogging the valve in the line, the main tub is no longer filled with sitting water. I also cleaned out the float from debris as well. The only question I have is, should there still be water in the line after a complete cycle? Or should it be completely drained. I never paid any attention to the lines before, only when water was sitting in the main tub did I notice a problem. Thanks for the help.

That was exactly my problem. Thank you!

Thanks. That's what I needed to know.

Scott, Our dishwasher had the same exact problem. I had already spent quite a bit of time troubleshooting this problem. I replace the pump motor to no avail. I finally removed the drain hose from the garbage disposal end and the dishwasher pump end. I tried to blow thru the hose from the garbage disposal end and it seemed plugged. I accidentally found the check valve on the pump end after trying to blow back towards the dishwasher and it seemed plugged. I just happened to stick my pinky finger in the hose elbow and touched something that seemed like a screen (that's what I thought it was), so I scrapped it a little with my finger nail and all of a sudden I could blow air back through the hose. This fixed my problem, but I am concerned it could come back. QUESTION: why does the drain hose loop up left side of the dishwasher and back down before leaving the dishwasher and being routed to the garbage disposal input? It looks like the hose is connected to a valve or air inlet on the side of the dishwasher? Oliver, below mentioned a "soil sensor"?

Very helpful

I don’t have a valve in my drain hose. Thoughts?

Same thing happened to my Whirlpool. After checking the pump , I tried to blow into the hose and almost passed out lol. Turned out the valve was stuck shut. Used a bra under wire to free it , it drains but not like it used to . To me it's a design flaw and the valve should be an in line that's removable

my issue is items in the disposal occasionally get sucked down the pipe into the dishwasher, and stuck in the valve. There is a filter in the dishwasher preventing items from going in but sometimes it gets clogged, last time was a pistachio shell. I need a filter or something in the garbage disposal preventing items from going down the pipe. Does that exist?

What happens if you can blow thru ok, but still doesn’t drain? Can hear motor

Same issue, but drain pump works fine, i have checked it for continuity, however, i do not drain sometimes. Seems like motherboard timer is off or it wont send enougth juice to the pump to kick in. Still looking into the fixes. When a run machine in a test mode , no errors occure. When i try manually turn on the drain pump in the tets mode it kick in after 15 attempts on/off. I strongly believe it is not a mechanical issue, but motherboard not doing good job, could be some wiring issue

thanks, too bad this video comes up after all the clean the drain and filter videos, which werent the problem. Replaced the pump and finally saw this video and this was the issue.

In my case loosening up the check valve with my finger worked for awhile BUT eventually it got stuck again so I replaced the hose with one for $10 from a big box store.

Hi Scott. My question is, we were able to blow water through from the disposal side, but haven't tried it from under the unit. Should we try that too? Or just work it from the bottom like you did? Our hoses are clear.

This video randomly popped up after I installed a discharge hose . After watching this I learned I installed the hose backwards and was not allowing for the water to drain.

This was my issue also.

Tried everything. no plugged hose, verified pump is working. Unit fills and goes through wash cycle. When it comes time to drain, it won't. got no idea...... : /

is a drain hose with a check valve necessary? can i replace the hose that doesn't have a check value? I think i have a faulty check value.

👍👍

So is the check valve pipe under the dishwasher or the sink? Thanks

I put my finger in there and my check valve fell out. Thanks for showing me how to remove and install the check valve. I watched this entire joy vampire of a video waiting for you to cover that part.

What is concerning is your solution does not show up in most of the google searches until you keep digging deeper and deeper into the problem. Perhaps a check valve in the drain hose itself is not common? I sure wasted a lot of time on this problem that could have been fixed in minutes without removing the DW.

Hmmm. My dishwasher drains through a non-functioning garbage disposal which is very slow draining. That's probably the issue and not the drain pump. If it is, thanks for saving me $65.

Great video- helped me out. I'm dizzy now from all the fast camera panning..

Put it in the dish washer

There is no solenoid that turns on the drain pump. Remove the check valve so problem never recurs.

Hello, Love the video, I am having the same issues,can you provide me with a link for Amazon so that I may purchase a replacement hose. Thank you!

I just inspected that hose and stuck my finger in there and worked it free but no way is that hose worth 60 bucks. That's highway robbery!!!!

Please read. My experience. Water not drained. I checked hoses. They looked clean and clear. So I wasn’t worry about it. Following the video I decided to buy a multimeter. Checked the water pump for continuity and “Everything ok” like 26 ohms. I still decided to order a new pump from Amazon for $29. Installed it and it works flawlessly. My dishwasher was pretty noisy when new because it has a new and strong draining pump. Last days it was doing very quiet cycles due to, what techs call it, a “tired pump”. Now. At least in my Whirlpool model, I didn’t have to disconnect or remove it from its place and put it upside down. I only remove a plastic cover from the bottom front and squeezed my hands through it. Very ease. First. Disconnect the power. Vacuum all the water. Using pliers, Disconnect the plastic drain hose that goes to the pump. And then. With a mirror. Locate the clip that goes on the other side of the pump. Press it and rotate the pump and voila. Clean and make sure there’s nothing obstructed. Disconnect the electrical plug and connect the new one. Easy peasy. I hope this helps. Salud 🍻🍻🍻

Fricken HATE our Whirlpool dishwasher. Biggest waste of money I've ever spent. Total joke. Hate Whirlpool and I hate dishwashers.