Kenmore dishwasher not draining?

Your dishwasher cycle is done, but when you open the door to unload your dishes, dirty plates, and pots are sitting in a pool of water. Plus, your sink drain is backing up. That’s annoying and messy. 

Most likely, your Kenmore®, dishwasher isn’t draining. Yes, it’s frustrating, but it’s probably a quick fix you can do yourself. Asurion Experts know the answers to everyday appliance questions. Here are our top tips on what to do when your dishwasher doesn’t drain.  

How to troubleshoot a Kenmore dishwasher that’s not draining

If your Kenmore 665 dishwasher, or any other model, isn’t draining, try these fixes:  

Turn on your garbage disposal

If you have a garbage disposal, turn it on and let it run for 10-15 seconds to let the water drain from the dishwasher. Then, try running a rinse cycle and see if your dishwasher drains properly. 

Empty your dishes

Even though they’re dirty, remove your dishes, glasses, and flatware from the dishwasher and set them aside so they’re out of your way while you troubleshoot. You’ll need to rewash them after you fix the issue. 

Disconnect your Kenmore dishwasher

Before trying any troubleshooting steps, unplug your appliance or turn off the circuit breaker. This is crucial for your safety. You could harm or even electrocute yourself when dealing with water in a plugged-in appliance. 

Ditch the standing water

Place old towels around the base of your Kenmore dishwasher to catch spills or leaks. Then, with your dishwasher unplugged, use a cup to carefully bail out the water from inside your appliance. Use a towel to soak up any excess water. 

Clean the drain 

Food particles and debris can easily clog your Kenmore dishwasher drain pump, so cleaning the drain may solve your issue. Mix a 50/50 solution of baking soda and white vinegar and pour it into the drain at the bottom of your machine. Let it stand for 15 minutes, then run a rinse cycle on high heat.

Inspect the filter

If the water still won’t drain from your Kenmore dishwasher, check the filter and remove any debris. Then clean the filter. Check out our step-by-step guide on how to clean a dishwasher filter. 

Check the sink air gap

Don’t have a garbage disposal? Check your sink air gap, the small, slotted cylinder below the sink near the dishwasher hose. First, remove it by turning it counterclockwise. Next, scrub off dirt or debris with a stiff brush. When it’s clean, tightly replace the air gap and start your dishwasher again. 

Clean the drain hose

The drain hose could be the cause for a Kenmore dishwasher that’s not draining. Depending on where the hose is located (check your owner’s manual if you’re not sure), you may have to pull your machine away from the wall to access it. Here are several things to check:

• Kinks in the hose. If it’s bent, try to straighten it. 
• Damage. If the hose is worn out or has a hole, you may have to replace it. 
• Clogs. Place a towel under the hose where it’s clamped to the appliance to catch any spilled water, then use pliers to loosen the clamp so you can detach the hose and check for clogs. Flush the hose with water and check if the water flows properly. 
• Water flow. If water’s not flowing, clean the hose with a drain cleaner. 

Preventing dishwasher clogs

Prevent clogs before they start to keep your Kenmore dishwasher draining at optimal performance. Rinse your dishes before loading them, inspect your machine regularly, run periodic hot water cycles, and clean the inside of your appliance often to keep everything running smoothly. 

Got the opposite problem? Check out our guide on how to fix a dishwasher that won’t fill with water.