Frigidaire Dishwasher Not Draining: Expert Tips (2024)

Ever opened your dishwasher after a cycle and found it still full of water? It’s like your Frigidaire dishwasher decided to take a break. You’re not alone; this happens to many of us, and it’s a real headache.

This issue often occurs due to clogs in the drain hose, a faulty drain pump, or an obstructed air gap. You’ll know it’s happening when you see standing water in the bottom of your dishwasher.

In this guide, I’ll cover how to troubleshoot and fix your Frigidaire dishwasher not draining. Whether it’s a simple clog or a more complex issue, I’ll walk you through the steps to get your dishwasher back to working order.

Troubleshooting Steps for Frigidaire Dishwasher Not Draining

Step 1: Initial Check

Initiate the Drain Cycle: Press the cancel button for three seconds to start the drain cycle. Listen for a humming sound, indicating the motor is trying to work even though water isn’t draining.

I remember pressing that cancel button repeatedly in frustration, hoping it would miraculously fix the issue. The sound of that humming motor can be both reassuring and annoying at the same time.

Step 2: Preparation

Safety First: Unplug the dishwasher or turn off the breaker to ensure safety.

Remove Lower Basket: Take out the lower basket to access the drain area.

Remove Spray Arm: Use a standard head screwdriver to pry against the clip and pop off the spray arm.

Remove Filter Assembly: Take out the filter assembly for a thorough inspection. The first time I did this, I was amazed at how much gunk had accumulated there. I found bits of food, small pieces of plastic, and even a tiny spoon once!

Step 3: Water Removal

Bail Out Water: Use a cup to remove most of the water from the bottom of the dishwasher.

Use a Turkey Baster: For the remaining water, use a turkey baster to suck it out. A turkey baster isn’t just for Thanksgiving! It’s a handy tool for those stubborn pools of water that seem to linger.

Step 4: Air Gap Check

Inspect the Air Gap: Located near the sink, check if the air gap is clogged. Clean it if necessary. Pry off the plastic top with a standard head screwdriver. Set the dishwasher to drain. A proper function should result in a 1-2 inch fountain of water shooting up from the tube. If only a dribble is observed, there may be a clog further down.

I remember the first time I learned about the air gap. It was a mystery tube by my sink until I realized its importance in keeping the dishwasher flowing smoothly.

Step 5: Inspect Drain Hose

Check for Kinks: The drain hose is a lightweight plastic tube linking the dishwasher to the sink drain or garbage disposal. Check for any kinks that might obstruct water flow. I had an experience where my Frigidaire Gallery dishwasher wasn’t draining, and it turned out the hose was kinked behind the dishwasher. Straightening it out immediately solved the problem.

Check for Clogs: If the hose isn’t bent, it might be blocked inside, stopping water from draining. A professional should handle this, but a skilled DIYer could try to fix it. Here’s how:

1. Unplug the dishwasher.
2. Use your Frigidaire dishwasher manual to locate the drain hose, typically behind a lower front panel.
3. Disconnect the drain hose from the pump.
4. Check the hose for blockages and carefully clear them using a screwdriver or a straightened wire hanger.
5. If the blockage is deeper, you may need to disconnect the hose from the sink drain or garbage disposal. If you can’t reach the clog, you might need to replace the hose.

Step 6: Clean Dishwasher Filter

Clean the Filter: A dishwasher filter catches large food particles to stop them from blocking the drain pump or hose. However, the filter can get clogged with debris over time, preventing proper drainage. Cleaning the glass trap was an eye-opener for me. I found all sorts of tiny objects trapped inside, from bits of food to a stray earring. Cleaning it out not only fixed the drainage issue but also improved the overall performance of my dishwasher.

Here’s how to clean a Frigidaire dishwasher drain filter:

1. Remove the dishwasher’s bottom rack.
2. Press down on the wash arm and turn the filter handle counterclockwise.
3. Lift the spray arm to remove it along with the filter.
4. Separate the filter from the wash arm and rinse it under running water to remove debris.
5. Reattach the spray arm and filter, then put them back in their compartment.
6. Rotate the filter handle clockwise and press down on the spray arm to lock it in place.

Step 7: Dishwasher Drain Pump Issue

Inspect the Drain Pump: A Frigidaire dishwasher’s drain pump uses an impeller to push water out through the drain hose. Food particles and debris can sometimes block the impeller, hindering proper draining. Check your user manual for instructions on accessing the drain pump and clearing any blockages.

Check Pump Motor: Sometimes, the drain pump motor may fail, preventing the pump from expelling water. You can typically confirm pump motor failure with multimeter testing. If the pump shows no continuity, it should be replaced by a professional dishwasher repair service.

Related Post: GE Dishwasher Not Filling With Water

Step 8: Air Gap and Garbage Disposal Problems

Check Air Gap and Disposal: Sometimes, a Frigidaire dishwasher not draining is due to an air gap or garbage disposal clog and not a dishwasher issue.If you have an air gap or garbage disposal, they probably share a drain with the dishwasher. When either device becomes blocked with debris, it can clog this shared drain, causing water to backflow into the dishwasher during a wash cycle.

Clean the Air Gap: Running the disposal before starting a wash cycle can clear the drain of debris that can block water flow. Air gaps can be easily cleaned by opening the cap and removing any visible debris with a paper towel or nylon bristle brush.

Step 9: Final Inspection and Cleaning

Ensure Free Movement: Make sure the impeller moves freely and there are no obstructions.

Clean Debris: Remove any remaining food debris from the area.

Step 10: Reassembly

Reattach Parts: Reattach the plastic cover and secure it with the three Torx 15 screws.

Reinstall Filter and Spray Arm: Put the filter assembly and spray arm back in place.

Restore Power: Plug the dishwasher in again or turn the breaker back on.

Step 11: Testing

Run a Cycle: Run the dishwasher to ensure it fills, circulates water, and drains properly.

Check Disposal Area: Confirm that the water is being discharged correctly if the dishwasher is connected to a food waste disposer. Getting everything back in place and running a test cycle always felt like holding my breath until I heard the satisfying whoosh of water draining.

Read More: GE Dishwasher Not Starting?

Conclusion

Follow these steps to fix the frustration of a Frigidaire dishwasher not draining. From initial checks to detailed cleaning, this guide will help you handle the issue. Whether it’s a Frigidaire Gallery dishwasher not draining or you need to know how to drain a Frigidaire dishwasher effectively, we’ve got you covered.If you have any questions about Frigidaire dishwasher not draining, just comment below or contact us for more help.

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