Dishwasher water does not drain

Is your dishwasher not draining the water away? Before you call a repair service, here are three simple things you can try when your dishwasher won’t drain.

1. Start by cleaning the filter unit and check the pump

One reason for your dishwasher not draining completely could be a blocked filter or or blocked pump. Foreign objects, such as slivers of glass, food or dirt, can clog the dishwasher’s filters and/or pump resulting in the dishwasher not draining.

To check these two components, follow these steps:

Clean the filter of your dishwasher

Follow the instructions in the video to clean the filter system of your dishwasher.

Step-by-step guide: How to clean the filter of your dishwasher

Hand removing the rack from a Bosch dishwasher

Remove the dishwasher rack.

Hand unlocking the filter unit at the base of a Bosch dishwasher

Unlock the filter unit found at the base of the dishwasher and carefully pull it out.

Image showing two hands seperating the filter unit of a Bosch dishwasher

Separate the unit by carefully unscrewing the cylindrical filter first.

Person cleaning the inside of a Bosch dishwasher filter unit under running tap water.

Clean both filters under running tap water. You can use a small brush to gently clean the inside of the filter and remove smaller pieces of debris. Do not use anything abrasive as this can damage the filter.

Person reassembling the filter unit of a Bosch dishwasher after cleaning it.

Reassemble the unit and put it back into the dishwasher.

Twist the filter to lock it into position until both arrows line up.

Step 2: Now check the pump

Check the pump of your dishwasher

Follow the instructions in the video to clean the filter system of your dishwasher.

Step-by-step guide: How to unblock my dishwasher pump?

A hand removing the filter unit from a Bosch dishwasher

Take out the bottom basket and lift the filter unit away.

A hand using a sponge to soak up water from the base of a Bosch dishwasher

Use a soft sponge to soak up the water and gradually ladle it out of the appliance.

A hand wearing a glove prising off the pump cover from a Bosch dishwasher

When you have removed the water, it is essential that you use protective gloves when placing your fingers in the pump area. Using a tea spoon, prise off the pump cover.

A hand with protective glove removing the pump cover from a Bosch dishwasher

Grip the cover by the lug and pull it upwards until it resists and then pull forwards.

Person checking the pump of a Bosch dishwasher for foreign objects.

Check the pump for any foreign objects that could clog the pump.

Person putting back the pump cover into a Bosch dishwasher

Replace the pump cover and make sure that it engages correctly back into position until it clicks.

Place the filter back into position, ensuring the arrows align.

A person replacing a basket in a Bosch dishwasher

Replace the basket and your dishwasher is ready for use.

3. Check the drain hose is clear

A reason for the dishwasher not draining completely could simply be a kinked or twisted drain hose. Kinks and twists can prevent water flow and trap food and other debris.

Disconnect the machine from the power supply. Check the drain hose has no kinks or twists. If it does, try to straighten them out. There will likely be very hot water in the hose so carefully straighten it out and place one end in a bucket to drain.

Once the water has drained, feel along the hose with your hands for blockages, and check again for kinks. Clean the drain hose using the dishwasher “drain” programme, letting water run through the hose into a bucket. Use the opportunity to check the hose for leaks. You can also remove the hose from the dishwasher completely and clean it with hot water, although, if it is particularly dirty, it is a good idea to replace it.

Reconnect the drain hose and plug in the dishwasher. Set the dishwasher on its quickest cycle to test whether the dishwasher now drains properly.

Have you checked the tips and the issue isn’t gone?

If you have followed the information above but you're still having problems with your Bosch dishwasher then you might want to have it checked out by a Bosch service expert.