At a Glance:
Reasons Your Dishwasher Won’t Drain
Can I do Dishwasher Repairs Myself?
The Best Whirlpool Dishwasher Alternatives
Busy families run their dishwashers almost every day. They need clean plates, forks, bowls, and glasses in order to eat healthy meals that keep everyone going. Unfortunately, dishwashers sometimes can’t keep up with the demand. In some cases, a cycle says complete, but when you open the door, there’s a watery mess at the bottom.
Throughout our history, a Whirlpool dishwasher not draining is one of the most common problems our buyers come to us for a solution. While it’s not as bad as Whirlpool’s latest dishwasher lawsuit for leaks, a clogged dishwashing machine might mean having to mop up spilled water that is full of dirty soap and unwanted food particles.
No one has time to deal with water not draining from the dishwasher. Instead, follow these steps to troubleshoot the issue, fix the problem yourself, or budget for repairs — or better yet, see which dishwasher we recommend over Whirlpool.
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Reasons Your Dishwasher Won’t Drain
There are several reasons why your dishwasher won’t drain. Before you can make any repairs, you need to get to the source of the issue. Here are a few things to check when you first notice your Whirlpool dishwasher not draining.
✱ Before troubleshooting your Whirlpool dishwasher, practice safety by disconnecting your appliance from its power supply and water line.
- Look at the filter. A clogged filter won’t let water drain properly. Your manual should explain where the filter is and YouTube videos can highlight how to remove it. Make sure your filter is free of debris so food particles and water can pass through.
- Check your detergent. Most filters are intended for powdered detergent. Reevaluate the use of liquid detergent — or see if any family members use the wrong cleaning supplies to run the dishwasher.
- Make sure your garbage disposal is working. This is a quick way to confirm that the problem is related to your dishwasher. Problems with your garbage disposal could cause plumbing backups in other areas of your kitchen.
- Look for kinks in the drain hose. Just like your garden hose, a kink in your dishwasher line will prevent water from passing through. Make sure your hose is connected and flowing.
- Review the motor. If the issue isn’t plumbing related, you could have a problem with the motor. The dishwasher could be shutting off before it fully drains, leaving you with a puddle of water.
If this is the first time that your dishwasher hasn’t drained, make sure your house maintained power throughout the cycle. It’s possible there was a brief power outage that reset the dishwasher before it could finish washing and drying your items.
Read Also: Why Your Frigidaire Dishwasher Doesn’t Drain
Can I do Dishwasher Repairs Myself?
When you notice your Whirlpool dishwasher not draining, one of the first worries is the cost to repair it. Most people pay around $200 on average to repair their dishwashers, with some people paying more than $600 to fix major issues. Do you have to call someone, or can you fix the issue yourself?
It’s not hard to learn how to drain a dishwasher and you should be able to handle the repairs on your own. However, this process might get a little involved and time-consuming. You will be handling plumbing materials and dealing with food waste, so get ready to get dirty. If you don’t want to handle the dirty water and questionable smells of your dishwasher, consider hiring an expert to do this for you. They should also be able to identify and repair the issue faster because of their plumbing experience.
Another thing to consider is whether you should repair your dishwasher. You can buy a dishwasher for less than $500 for a standard model and less than $800 for high-end units. Instead of paying $200 for a temporary repair, consider putting that money toward a new replacement model.
The Best Whirlpool Dishwasher Alternatives
If your dishwasher is approaching the 10-year mark in your home, it might be time to replace it with a new unit. While you can find plenty of Whirlpool appliances on the market, you might have a better experience with another brand. Here are three options to consider if you are tired of paying money to repair a dishwasher that just keeps breaking.
Frigidaire Gallery® 24" Smudge-Proof® Stainless Steel Built-In Dishwasher
Frigidaire dishwashers are comparable to Whirlpool in price and quality, so if you want to stay in the same price range, these dishwashers are a great place to start in your dishwasher replacement. When you buy this model, you can use the OrbitClean® wash system which provides four times more water coverage (while using the same amount of water) as its competitors. This is a more efficient clean that will leave your cookware free of food particles and grime.
Once the cycle is complete, this dishwasher will use EvenDry™ technology to remove moisture from your dishes. Stop waiting until after the cycle ends for your dishes to cool and air dry completely. When this dishwasher is done running, your dishes will be dry and safe to handle.
Learn more about this model by reading customer reviews. One person writes, “The dishwasher is a great addition to my kitchen. It's easy to load and is very quiet and cleans the dishes like new with no loud rumbling in the background. I'm looking forward to using it for my holiday entertaining.”
GE® 24" Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Built-In Dishwasher
GE is another brand you can turn to if your Whirlpool dishwasher not draining and makes you want to buy a new one. In fact, buying a new dishwasher allows you to take advantage of new features that are only found in the latest models. This appliance has a third rack that can handle utensils and other flatware. You no longer have to stick your tongs and whisks with your other utensils. It also comes with bottle jets specifically made to clean out tight spaces.
This GE dishwasher is considered a large-capacity dishwasher and can hold up to 14 place settings. It’s ideal for large families where your sink is piled with plates and cups before noon. Feel free to invite your extended family and neighbors over — cleaning will still be easy with this appliance.
This dishwasher has a satisfaction rate of almost 90 percent with more than 4,000 customer reviews. One buyer writes, “The best thing about this dishwasher is how amazingly quiet it is. Even standing near it, you can hardly tell it's running. Everything, including pots and pans, comes out clean. I never have to rewash anything.”
Beko 24" Fingerprint Free Stainless Steel Front Control Dishwasher
Beko is a growing brand in the world of home appliances and customers have reported positive results so far. This particular unit comes with six different cycles to choose from, with adjustments based on the intensity and temperature you need. There’s a big difference between washing your holiday glassware and blasting grease off of pots and pans.
This dishwasher also comes with a third rack option for extra storage and better cleaning capacity. However, one of the top features is how silent this dishwasher is. The ProSmart Inverter Motor is twice as quiet as other motors and more energy efficient. Beko also invests in SilentTech to prevent sounds like sloshing and draining from traveling through your house.
Failure to address a Whirlpool dishwasher not draining or any dishwashing machine that doesn’t rinse is more than just frustrating. After some time, escape water can lead to damage to floors and cabinets, which will leave you with even more repair costs. Fortunately, there are plenty of more reliable dishwashers to select from, especially when you shop at East Coast Appliance.
We carry over 25 dishwasher brands starting under $400. To explore our entire catalog, shop online or at one of our east Virginia appliance showrooms near you today!
FAQs
Let’s brush up on common dishwasher maintenance to ensure your next model stays in tip-top shape.
How often should you change your dishwasher filter?
Most plumbing experts recommend cleaning your dishwasher filter twice per year. You can remove and clean out the filter when you replace your smoke alarm batteries and change the clocks for Daylight Saving Time. However, if you use your dishwasher more than daily, you might want to change the filter every three months — around the same time you change your HVAC filter.
Is Whirlpool a good dishwasher brand?
Whirlpool is considered a mid-market brand and is commonly sold across the United States. However, some customers have experienced quality issues with these models. If you bought a house that has Whirlpool appliances, look at other brands like GE and Frigidaire instead. These fall around the same price point and have a positive reputation amongst homeowners.
Why Trust East Coast Appliance?
Locally owned and operated since 1988, East Coast Appliance is the largest independent appliance dealer in Virginia. We sell it ALL — from new name-brand appliances to scratch-and-dent appliances to our very own refurbished appliances. Aside from our huge selection of every major brand and everyday low prices, what sets us apart from our competitors is that we service what we sell and that we are locally owned and operated with factory-trained associates. And if you’re a local, great news: East Coast Appliance is committed to providing the absolute lowest prices on the same available brand and model — simply bring in the ad of the local retail competitor while the lower price is in effect and you'll receive your price match.
Shop Dishwashers at East Coast
There is a reason we are dubbed “The Discount King” — for unbeatable deals, shop dishwashers online at East Coast Appliance. Our friendly associates are always happy to help you discover the source of your Whirlpool dishwasher not draining, whether you call us or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one of our showrooms to see why we are the best appliance store in Virginia. Visit us today!
Learn More: The Most Reliable Dishwashers Today