Frigidaire Dishwasher: Not Draining
Quick answer: Standing water left in the bottom of the tub after a cycle means the dishwasher cannot push the wash water out through the drain hose.
- Unplug the dishwasher or switch off its breaker before reaching into the sump or removing the drain pump.
- Bail or sponge out the standing water first so you do not flood the floor when a hose or pump is disconnected.
- Feel carefully inside the sump; broken glass and bone fragments often collect there.
Why is my dishwasher not draining?
Standing water left in the bottom of the tub after a cycle means the dishwasher cannot push the wash water out through the drain hose. The most common reasons, in order, are a clogged filter or sump, a drain pump blocked by debris or burned out, a kinked or clogged drain hose, a blocked garbage disposal or air gap connection, and less often a stuck check valve or a control board that never powers the pump.
Our fitment data covers 1,967 Frigidaire dishwasher models and 1,124 Frigidaire dishwasher parts, so the part links below are filtered to this brand; always confirm your model number before ordering.
Most Likely Causes, in Order
1. Filter assembly
Food scraps, grease, seeds and glass collect in the fine filter and the basket below the lower spray arm. Once the mesh is coated, water cannot reach the drain pump fast enough and the cycle ends with a puddle in the tub.
How to check: Remove the lower rack and twist out the cylindrical filter, then lift the flat mesh filter beneath it. Hold both up to the light; if you cannot see through the mesh, or there is a layer of sludge in the sump opening, the filter is the problem. Wipe the sump opening with a cloth and look for debris wrapped around the pump impeller.
Fix: Wash the filters under hot water with a soft brush and dish soap, clear the sump, and reinstall them until they lock. Replace the filter assembly if the mesh is torn or the locking tabs are broken. (Difficulty: Easy)
No Frigidaire part for this cause is in our catalog yet; search by your model number.
2. Drain pump
The drain pump pushes water out of the sump and up through the drain hose. A piece of glass or a fruit pit can jam the impeller, or the motor winding can fail, so the pump hums or stays silent while the water sits.
How to check: Start a drain or cancel cycle and listen near the bottom of the door. A steady hum with no water movement points to a jammed impeller; total silence suggests a failed motor or no power to it. Remove the filter and turn the impeller with a pencil; it should spin freely with slight resistance. With power off and the pump unplugged, a multimeter reading of open circuit across the pump terminals confirms a bad winding.
Fix: Clear any debris from the impeller chamber. If the impeller is broken or the winding is open, replace the drain pump; on most models it twists or unscrews from the bottom of the sump. (Difficulty: Moderate)
No Frigidaire part for this cause is in our catalog yet; search by your model number.
3. Drain hose
The corrugated drain hose runs from the pump to the sink drain or disposal. It can kink behind the machine, sag and trap sludge, or clog at the narrow end fitting, and water then backs up into the tub.
How to check: Open the cabinet under the sink and follow the hose from the dishwasher to the drain connection. Look for a sharp bend or a section crushed against the cabinet wall. Disconnect the hose at the sink end over a bucket and blow through it or run water into it; if water will not pass, the hose is clogged.
Fix: Straighten kinks and flush the hose with hot water, or replace it if it is cracked or permanently crushed. Route the hose in a high loop under the countertop so drain water cannot flow back. (Difficulty: Easy)
No Frigidaire part for this cause is in our catalog yet; search by your model number.
4. Garbage disposal or air gap connection
When the dishwasher drains into a disposal, the knockout plug inside the disposal inlet must be removed at installation. A plug left in place, a disposal packed with food, or a clogged air gap on the countertop blocks the only exit for the water.
How to check: If the dishwasher was recently installed, disconnect the hose at the disposal and look into the inlet for the plastic knockout. Run the disposal with water for a minute to clear it. Lift the chrome cap on the air gap and check the plastic cover and hoses beneath for gunk.
Fix: Knock out the plug with a screwdriver and hammer and retrieve the piece from inside the disposal. Clean the air gap and its hoses, then reconnect everything and run a rinse cycle. (Difficulty: Easy)
No Frigidaire part for this cause is in our catalog yet; search by your model number.
5. Drain check valve
A small rubber flap or ball in the drain outlet lets water leave but stops it from flowing back. Debris can hold it shut or stiffen it so the pump cannot push water past it.
How to check: With the filter and drain pump removed, find the check valve where the pump outlet meets the drain hose. Push the flap with a finger; it should move freely and seal flat. Look for a hard, warped or gunked flap.
Fix: Clean the valve seat and reseat the flap, or replace the check valve if it is stiff or damaged. (Difficulty: Moderate)
No Frigidaire part for this cause is in our catalog yet; search by your model number.
6. Main control board
The control board switches power to the drain pump at the right point in the cycle. A failed relay or a burned trace means the pump never receives voltage even though it is fine.
How to check: Only suspect the board after the pump, filter and hose have been ruled out. Run a cancel or drain cycle and use a multimeter to confirm whether voltage reaches the pump connector. If the pump tests good but never gets voltage, the board or its harness is at fault.
Fix: Replace the main control board and transfer the wiring connectors one at a time so nothing is mixed up. (Difficulty: Advanced)
Matching Frigidaire parts:
- Dishwasher Electronic Control Board Cover Gasket 154478901 — $41.50 – $110.02 · 671 models
- Dishwasher Electronic Control Board 154783201 — $97.09 – $142.99 · 129 models
- Dishwasher Electronic Control Board 154712101 — $164.51 – $182.62 · 94 models
Other Frigidaire parts the catalog tags for this symptom
- Dishwasher Pump O-Ring, Rear 154246901 — $31.54 – $64.26 (leaking; won't drain; won't pump)
- Dishwasher Door Seal, Lower 809006501 809006501 — $17.37 – $45.54 (leaking)
- Crosley Dishwasher Water Inlet Tubing 5304523457 — $14.25 – $29.28 (clogged; cracked; leaking)
- Dishwasher Door Latch A00099902 — $56.14 – $82.45 (door won't close; door won't lock; won't start)
- Door Latch 5304525218 — $30.46 – $55.76 (door won't close; door won't lock; won't start)
- Sump Cover and Filter (Black) 807111601 — $12.66 – $31.14 (dirty water; poor performance; reduced airflow)
Popular Frigidaire dishwasher models
Confirm the model number on the rating plate before ordering. Each model page lists every compatible part.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal for a little water to stay in the bottom of the dishwasher?
A small amount of clean water in the sump below the filter is normal and keeps the pump seals from drying out. Water covering the bottom of the tub or reaching the lower rack is not normal.
Can I use a drain cleaner in my dishwasher?
No. Chemical drain cleaners can damage the pump seals, hoses and tub. Clean the filter by hand and flush the hose with hot water instead.
Why did my dishwasher stop draining right after I installed a new garbage disposal?
New disposals ship with a knockout plug in the dishwasher inlet. If it was not removed, the drain hose has nowhere to send the water. Remove the plug and the dishwasher will drain again.
When to Call a Professional
Call a technician if the filter, hose and disposal connection are clear but the pump still never runs, if you see a burning smell or scorched wiring, or if you are not comfortable testing voltage at the pump or replacing the control board.