Nowadays, most of us need a dishwasher to help us stay on top of our chores and still have a moment to ourselves after work. An Amana dishwasher is an efficient and reliable appliance to own, but like any other piece of equipment, these can still give you trouble from time to time.
A prevalent issue faced by Amana dishwasher owners is a drainage problem. If your dishwasher isn’t draining correctly, the water might pool up in your machine and even leak out.
Not to worry though – this article will highlight that even if you have a drainage problem, you’ll be able to solve it and get back to having clean dishes in no time. Let’s investigate some of the most common causes of this issue and all the steps you can take to rectify it ASAP.
Why Is Your Amana Dishwasher Not Draining?
Before you pull out your toolkit and start trying to fix things, you need to have an understanding of what might be causing your dishwasher not to drain thoroughly. Here are some of the common causes you can look out for.
1. Clogged Drain Hose
The first reason your appliance may not be draining properly is a clogged dishwasher drain hose. Over time, dirt, debris, food particles, and other foreign objects can accumulate inside the drain hose, preventing water from properly flowing out of the dishwasher.
When this happens, the water will be stuck and stagnate in your appliance, causing it to overflow or stop working altogether.
2. Blocked Garbage Disposal
Another possible reason for poor drainage in your Amana dishwasher is a blocked garbage disposal. If your Amana dishwasher is connected to your garbage disposal unit, it’s crucial to ensure the disposal works correctly.
If it’s clogged or jammed, it won’t be able to properly break down food waste, causing it to accumulate in the dishwasher’s drain and interfering with water drainage.
3. Malfunctioning Drain Pump
A malfunctioning dishwasher drain pump could also cause poor drainage in your dishwasher. As you might have guessed, the drain pump is needed to pump water out of the dishwasher, and if it’s not working correctly, water will start accumulating in the dishwasher.
There are several reasons why a drain pump might malfunction, including a faulty motor, clogged impeller, or damaged pump housing – you’ll need to investigate each of these in order to identify the culprit.
4. Clogged Air Gap
The air gap device in your appliance prevents dirty water from flowing back into the dishwasher. Over time, food particles and other dirt can accumulate inside the air gap, preventing water from properly draining out.
When this happens, you’ll be able to notice it by water overflowing from the dishwasher or not draining at all.
5. Faulty Check Valve
The check valve is a small, one-way valve that controls the water flow out of the dishwasher but prevents it from flowing back in. If the check valve is not working correctly, water can back up into the dishwasher, causing it to overflow or stop working altogether.
Your check valve could be struggling due to wear and tear, damage, or even an improper installation.
6. Control Board Issue
The control board operates as the dishwasher’s brain and is responsible for regulating the various functions of the machine – from running the correct cycle to draining out the water when it’s dirty.
An issue with the control board can interfere with all the dishwasher’s functionality, including the draining function. Common problems with the control board include malfunctioning sensors, faulty wiring, or damaged circuits – any of these might impact your appliance’s performance.
7. Blocked Drain Valve
The drain valve controls the flow of water out of the dishwasher. Over time, debris and mineral buildup can accumulate inside the valve, preventing water from exiting the machine.
When this happens, you may notice standing water in the bottom of the dishwasher or water overflowing from the machine.
8. Faulty Drain Solenoid
The drain solenoid is a small electromechanical device that controls the drain valve. If the solenoid isn’t working correctly, water won’t be able to drain properly.
If you’re having issues with this component, it might be due to wear and tear, electrical issues, or mechanical failure.
9. Water in the Filter Area
Finally, consider the dishwasher filter. This filter captures food particles and other junk that might otherwise clog up the dishwasher’s drain.
However, if the filter is not cleaned regularly, standing water can still accumulate in the filter area, preventing water from properly draining out of the dishwasher. This can lead to drainage issues, odors, and other complications.
How To Fix An Amana Dishwasher That’s Not Draining
Now that you know all the potential issues of your drainage problems, you may now be able to identify which one is the culprit. With this information in mind, here are 8 simple steps to take to get things working again.
1. Clear the Drain Hose
If your drain hose is clogged, you’ll need to clear it out; to do that, first, turn off the power to the dishwasher, or unplug it from the wall outlet. Next, locate the hose where it connects to the dishwasher and the garbage disposal or drainpipe.
Disconnect the hose and use a wire hanger or other tool to clear any blockages. Once the hose is clear, reconnect it to the dishwasher and run a new wash cycle to test the drainage.
2. Clean the Garbage Disposal
Your garbage disposer might be the main issue – if so, you’ll need to give it a clean. Disconnect the power to the dishwasher and garbage disposer to clean the disposal.
Next, remove any visible items and obstructions from the disposal with tongs or pliers. Next, try pouring a cup of vinegar down the disposal and let it sit for 30 minutes. Afterward, turn on the disposal and run cold water to flush out any remaining debris.
Once the garbage disposer is clear, run a cleaning cycle on the dishwasher to test if it’s working.
3. Check the Drain Pump
If you suspect that a faulty drain pump is the culprit, check it by removing the lower access panel from the front of your appliance. Locate the drain pump and inspect it for damage or blockages.
If there are no visible issues, you can test the pump by disconnecting the hose and using a multimeter to check for continuity; but if you don’t have the tools or knowledge for this, contact a professional. If the pump is faulty, it will need to be replaced.
4. Clean the Air Gap
If your air gap is clogged or dirty, this is another component you can clean to try and alleviate the issue. To clean the air gap, disconnect the dishwasher and locate the air gap on the countertop next to the sink.
Remove the cap, and clean out any visible dirt and debris with a toothbrush or another small tool. Once the air gap is clear, run a cycle on the dishwasher to check the drainage.
5. Replace the Check Valve
If the check valve is faulty, you will, unfortunately, need to replace it. To replace the valve, you can find it near the drain pump and disconnect it from the drain hose.
Replace the valve with a new one and reconnect the hose. If you’re not confident in doing repairs like this, it’s best to contact an appliance repair service to assist with the issue.
6. Reset the Control Board
You might have a simple glitch in your control board, in which case you can reset it.
Remove the lower access panel from the front of your dishwasher, locate the control board, and press the reset button. Keep in mind that not all Amana dishwasher models will have a reset button.
If you can’t find it, simply unplug the appliance for a few minutes and reconnect it; this will manually reset the machine. Once you’ve completed the reset, run a new cycle to test if it’s working.
7. Clean the Drain Valve
To clean out your appliance’s drain valve, first, disconnect it from the power source. Then, remove the lower access panel from the front of the dishwasher. Locate the valve and inspect it for any visible blockages or signs of damage.
If there are no visible issues, such as damage or wear, you can remove the valve and clean it with a soft-bristled brush and warm water. Once it’s been cleaned, reattach it to the dishwasher and see whether this has helped solve the problem.
8. Call a Professional
If you’ve tried all the above steps and your Amana dishwasher still isn’t draining properly, it may be time to call a professional appliance repair technician.
These qualified professionals can diagnose the underlying cause of the issue and recommend the best course of action, which may include replacing faulty parts or repairing any damage that you might not be able to handle on your own.
Adrian is an ISCET licensed professional that has completed the National Appliance Service Technician Certification Exam and has the expertise to diagnose and repair any appliance. He is well-versed in the latest technologies and techniques and is always up-to-date on the latest industry standards.
