Frigidaire Dishwasher With a Clogged Drain

Kinked or Clogged Drain Hose

• A kinked or clogged drain hose can prevent your Frigidaire dishwasher from draining properly because the water cannot pass through the line. Remove the drain hose and rinse out any debris inside. Inspect the hose for bends or kinks. If there is a kink in the line, replace the hose to allow the dishwasher to drain properly. For Frigidaire dishwashers that don’t have an air gap on the drain line, the hose should loop about 18 inches off the ground to prevent backflow from your sink into your dishwasher.

Sump Drain Blocked

• A cup of water in the bottom of your dishwasher around the sump area is not unusual. This is pumped out before the cycle begins and helps to keep the motor seals lubricated. If there is more than a cup of water, something may be blocking the sump and preventing the water from draining. The first step to resolving a clogged dishwasher drain is to remove as much water as you can from the tub. Once you’re able to see the sump area at the bottom of the dishwasher, look for bits of food or other debris and remove it. When closing the dishwasher, make sure the door latches. Your Frigidaire dishwasher will not drain if the door is not closed properly.

Pump

• Frigidaire dishwashers, like most brands, rely on a pump to drain the water from the machine. Occasionally small objects such as bones or broken pieces of dishware can get stuck inside the pump. To clear this, open the pump, which is located in the bottom of your dishwasher, attached to the motor. Remove any visible debris. Inspect the pump for damage. If any part of the pump is broken or cracked, it should be replaced.

Garbage Disposal

• If your garbage disposal is clogged, this can affect drainage in your dishwasher too. Often dishwashers are connected to the garbage disposal drain. When debris builds up inside the garbage disposal drain, the water can’t flow out as it should from the dishwasher. Run some ice down the garbage disposal to clear any debris that might remain before running your dishwasher.

Air Gap

• An air gap is often located on top of your sink to prevent water from your sink flowing back into your dishwasher’s sump area. The air gap forms a seal that allows the dishwasher to drain properly. If the air gap is clogged, then the water cannot drain. Remove the cover to reveal the air gap and clear away any debris visible inside. Replace the cover and if this was the problem, your dishwasher should drain.