Why Your Bosch Dishwasher is Not Draining and How to Fix it!

You might be frustrated when your Bosch dishwasher doesn’t drain properly. Instead of sparkling clean dishes, you find a puddle of water at the bottom. This can happen for a few reasons, like a clogged filter, a blocked drain hose, or even a faulty pump. Don’t worry, though! In this blog post, I’ll walk you through simple steps to fix the problem. You’ll learn how to check for clogs, clean the filter, and get your dishwasher draining smoothly again. Let’s get started!

Common Causes of Bosch Dishwasher Not Draining

If your Bosch dishwasher is not draining, it can be frustrating. Let’s explore some common reasons why this might happen.

1. Clogged Filter

One of the most common reasons for a Bosch dishwasher not draining is a clogged filter. The filter is responsible for catching food particles and debris. Over time, these can build up and block the filter. When this happens, water can’t pass through, and your dishwasher won’t drain properly. To fix this, you can remove the filter and clean it with warm water and a brush. Doing this regularly can prevent clogs and keep your dishwasher draining smoothly.

2. Blocked Drain Hose

Another reason could be a blocked drain hose. The drain hose carries the dirty water out of the dishwasher. Sometimes, food particles or debris can get stuck in the hose, blocking the flow of water. To check this, you can disconnect the hose and inspect it for any blockages. If you find any, you can clean the hose by flushing it with water or using a long brush to clear out the debris.

3. Faulty Drain Pump

The drain pump is what pushes the water out of the dishwasher. If the pump is faulty or broken, it won’t be able to do its job. This can happen due to wear and tear or if something is stuck inside the pump. In this case, you might need to replace the drain pump. It’s best to get a professional to do this if you’re not comfortable with appliance repairs.

4. Garbage Disposal Connection

If your dishwasher is connected to a garbage disposal, there could be an issue there. Sometimes, the knockout plug in the disposal isn’t removed, or the disposal itself is clogged. This can prevent the dishwasher from draining. Checking the disposal and removing any blockages can solve the problem.

By understanding these common causes, you can troubleshoot and possibly fix your Bosch dishwasher’s draining issue. Regular maintenance can also help prevent these problems in the future.

How to Fix Your Bosch Dishwasher that is Not Draining: 5 Steps

If your Bosch dishwasher is not draining, it can be frustrating. Water might be left at the bottom of the machine, and dishes won’t be as clean. But don’t worry! You can often fix this issue yourself by following a few simple steps.

1. Check the Drain Filter

The first step in fixing a Bosch dishwasher that isn’t draining is to check the drain filter. This filter is located at the bottom of the dishwasher, right underneath the spray arm. The drain filter’s job is to catch food particles, grease, and other debris so that they don’t clog the drain pump. But over time, these things can build up and block the filter itself. When this happens, the water can’t flow out of the dishwasher, which causes the draining problem.

To check and clean the drain filter, start by removing the bottom rack of the dishwasher. This gives you easy access to the filter. The filter is usually round and located in the center, at the bottom. To remove the filter, you need to twist it counterclockwise and then lift it straight up. It should come out easily.

Once the filter is out, take a close look at it. You might see food particles or grease stuck to it. Rinse the filter under warm running water to clean it. If the filter is very dirty, you might need to use a soft brush or cloth to scrub it. Be sure to clean all the little holes and grooves in the filter so that water can flow through it easily.

After the filter is clean, it’s time to put it back in the dishwasher. Place it in its spot and twist it clockwise to lock it into place. Make sure it’s secure, as a loose filter can cause the same draining problem again.

Cleaning the drain filter regularly can prevent draining problems in the future. Try to make it a habit to check and clean the filter once a month or whenever you notice that your dishwasher isn’t draining properly. This simple step can save you a lot of trouble and keep your dishwasher working well.

2. Check the Drain Hose

The drain hose is another important part of the dishwasher’s drainage system. This hose is a long, flexible tube that carries dirty water from the dishwasher to your home’s plumbing, usually under the sink or to the garbage disposal. If the hose gets blocked or kinked, the water can’t flow out, and your dishwasher won’t drain.

Before you start checking the drain hose, make sure to turn off the power to the dishwasher. You can do this by unplugging it or by turning off the circuit breaker that controls the dishwasher. This step is very important for your safety, as you don’t want to work on an electrical appliance while it’s powered on.

To locate the drain hose, you’ll need to look under your sink. The hose is usually connected to the garbage disposal or directly to the plumbing under the sink. If you’re not sure which hose is the drain hose, it’s usually the one connected to the dishwasher’s bottom. You might need to move things around under the sink to see it clearly.

Once you’ve found the drain hose, check it for any kinks or bends. Sometimes, the hose can get pinched or bent in a way that blocks the flow of water. If you see a kink, try to straighten the hose out. Be gentle so you don’t damage it.

Next, check the hose for blockages. You can do this by disconnecting the hose from the sink or disposal and looking inside it. If you see any debris or gunk, you’ll need to remove it. You can use a long wire, a plumber’s snake, or even a coat hanger to carefully push out any blockages. Be careful not to puncture the hose while doing this.

After you’ve checked and cleared the hose, reattach it securely at both ends. Make sure there are no kinks and that it’s firmly connected to the plumbing or disposal. Once everything is back in place, you can turn the power back on and run a short cycle to see if the dishwasher drains properly.

Regularly checking the drain hose can help prevent future problems. If you notice that your dishwasher isn’t draining, always check the hose first before calling a repair technician. It’s a simple task that you can do yourself and might save you time and money.

3. Inspect the Garbage Disposal

If your Bosch dishwasher is connected to a garbage disposal, a problem with the disposal could be causing the dishwasher to not drain properly. The garbage disposal and dishwasher share a drain line, so if the disposal is clogged or not working, it can block the water from draining out of the dishwasher.

First, make sure the garbage disposal is working correctly. If it’s not turning on or if it’s making a humming noise without actually grinding up food waste, it might be jammed. To fix this, turn off the power to the disposal by unplugging it or turning off the switch under the sink. Once the power is off, check inside the disposal for any objects that might be stuck. You can use tongs or pliers to carefully remove any blockages. Be very careful not to use your hands to avoid getting hurt.

Next, you can manually turn the disposal’s blades to try and free up any jammed items. Most disposals have a small hole at the bottom where you can insert a hex key (often provided with the disposal) to turn the blades manually. Turn the hex key back and forth to loosen the blades and free any stuck items. Once you’ve cleared the jam, plug the disposal back in and test it by running some water and turning it on.

If the disposal is working fine, but the dishwasher still isn’t draining, the problem might be with the connection between the disposal and the dishwasher. There is usually a small plug or knockout in the disposal where the dishwasher’s drain hose connects. If this plug wasn’t removed when the dishwasher was installed, it could be blocking the water from draining. If you’re unsure, you might need to remove the drain hose from the disposal and check for this plug. If it’s there, you can carefully remove it with a screwdriver.

After checking the disposal, run the dishwasher again to see if it drains properly. If it still doesn’t drain, the issue might be somewhere else in the drainage system. However, inspecting and fixing any problems with the garbage disposal is a crucial step that could solve the problem quickly.

4. Test the Drain Pump

The drain pump is the part of the dishwasher that pushes the dirty water out of the machine and into the drain hose. If the drain pump isn’t working, the dishwasher won’t be able to drain, and you’ll end up with water sitting at the bottom of the machine. Testing and possibly replacing the drain pump can fix this issue.

First, listen carefully when your dishwasher reaches the draining part of its cycle. Normally, you should hear the pump working to move the water out. If you hear a loud noise, a humming sound, or no sound at all, the drain pump might be malfunctioning. This could be due to a blockage, or the pump could be broken and need replacing.

To inspect the drain pump, start by turning off the power to the dishwasher. This is important for safety because you’ll be working inside the machine. After turning off the power, you’ll need to remove the dishwasher’s bottom panel. This is usually done by removing a few screws at the front of the machine. Once the panel is off, you should be able to see the drain pump.

The drain pump is usually located near the front of the dishwasher, close to the bottom. It might have wires connected to it, so be careful not to pull on these. Check around the pump for any visible blockages or debris that could be preventing it from working. If you see anything, carefully remove it.

If there’s no blockage, the pump itself might be broken. You can test the pump with a multimeter, a tool that measures electrical resistance. Set the multimeter to the “ohms” setting and touch the probes to the pump’s terminals. If the multimeter shows a reading within the pump’s specified range, it’s likely working fine. If there’s no reading, the pump is likely faulty and needs to be replaced.

Replacing a drain pump is a more advanced task, and you might need to call a professional if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself.

After testing or replacing the pump, put the bottom panel back on, restore power to the dishwasher, and run a cycle to see if the draining issue is resolved. Fixing or replacing the drain pump can often solve the problem of a Bosch dishwasher not draining, ensuring that it runs smoothly again.

5. Check for Clogs in the Air Gap

The air gap is a small device usually located on your kitchen sink, right next to the faucet. It’s designed to prevent dirty water from flowing back into the dishwasher, but if it gets clogged, it can stop your dishwasher from draining properly. Checking and cleaning the air gap is another important step in fixing a Bosch dishwasher that isn’t draining.

To begin, you’ll need to remove the cap from the air gap. The cap might twist off, or it could just pull off, depending on the model. Once the cap is off, you’ll see a small cylinder with holes in it. This is where the blockage can occur.

Look inside the air gap and check for any debris, such as food particles or gunk. If you see anything, you can remove it using a small brush, like an old toothbrush, or a pipe cleaner. Be sure to clean it thoroughly, as even a small blockage can stop the water from draining properly.

If the air gap is very dirty, you might need to disassemble it further to clean it properly. Some air gaps have a removable top section that can be lifted off to give you better access to the inside. Clean out any debris you find and then rinse the parts under warm running water.

Once the air gap is clean, put it back together and replace the cap. Make sure the cap is secure and fits tightly. After cleaning the air gap, you should run the dishwasher again to see if it drains properly.

I hope this guide helped you fix your Bosch dishwasher that wasn’t draining. By following these simple steps, you should have solved the problem. If you need more help, don’t hesitate to ask a professional. Your dishwasher should now work well, keeping your dishes clean and fresh.