Dishwasher not draining in Ottawa?

Two inches of murky water sitting in the bottom of the dishwasher after every cycle. Food particles floating in the sump. A smell that gets worse every day. When a dishwasher stops draining, the problem compounds: trapped water breeds bacteria, warps the door gasket and can eventually leak onto the floor.

Share the brand and model when you book; it helps us anticipate the drainage parts these faults usually need: drain pumps, check valves, solenoids, drain hoses or sump assemblies. We also know the difference between a dishwasher problem and a plumbing problem, and we’ll tell you honestly which one you have before charging for parts you don’t need. Try the owner checks on this page first: we would rather you save the visit than pay for a five-minute fix.

1. Clogged filter or sump

The number-one cause on Bosch, Miele and newer Whirlpool dishwashers. Food debris, bones, broken glass or labels clog the fine filter at the bottom; a quick clean and the water drains again.

2. Blocked drain hose

The hose from the dishwasher to the sink drain or garbage disposal kinks or builds up inside. Sometimes clearing it is enough; sometimes the hose needs replacing. Codes: E24, E25, 5C, OE.

3. Plugged air gap or high loop

The chrome cylinder next to the faucet, or the high-loop hose under the sink, prevents drain-water backflow. When debris plugs it, the dishwasher can’t push water out. It is about a 10-minute fix.

4. Garbage disposal knockout plug

Brand-new disposal? The knockout plug inside the disposal’s drain inlet has to be removed. If the installer left it in, the dishwasher has nowhere to drain, which makes it a common call after a renovation.

5. Failed drain pump

The pump motor wears out or the impeller seizes on debris. You hear a hum, or nothing at all, during the drain part of the cycle. We test the voltage and replace the pump as needed.

6. Broken check valve or flapper

The one-way valve at the pump outlet stops dirty water flowing back into the tub. When it sticks open, the water just pumped out drains back in; the tell-tale sign is water appearing after the cycle ends.

7. Drain solenoid failure

On some Whirlpool, KitchenAid and Kenmore models, a solenoid diverts the pump between wash and drain. When the solenoid fails, the pump runs but the water only recirculates.

8. Control board not sending the drain signal

The main board never tells the pump to run. A voltage test confirms it; the fix is a board replacement or reflash depending on the model, and we finish the diagnosis before quoting the board.

The drain-related codes we see most on Ottawa service calls, and roughly what they point to before a proper test. Code meanings differ between models and years, so confirm yours in the owner’s manual or on the tech sheet:

• Bosch (E24, E25, E22): drain blocked, pump blocked, filter restriction.
• Samsung (5C, OC, LC): drain, overflow, leak sensor.
• LG (OE, AE, LE): drain error, leak, motor error.
• Whirlpool, KitchenAid (F9 E1 on many newer models, a flashing Clean light on older ones): drain fault.
• Maytag, Kenmore (6-1, 6-4, 8-1 on some older models): drain, drain pump, no drain detected.
• GE, Hotpoint (C1): long or no drain on many models.
• Miele (F11): drain fault.
• Frigidaire (i20, i30): drain fault (often a clogged filter), leak detected.

A code is a starting point, not a diagnosis; the technician confirms it with a test before quoting any part.

• Bosch
• Samsung
• LG
• Whirlpool
• KitchenAid
• Maytag
• GE
• Miele
• Frigidaire
• Electrolux
• Kenmore
• Amana
• Fisher & Paykel
• Blomberg
• Asko
• Thermador

Built-in, portable, compact 18-inch and panel-ready integrated models. Drainage faults are often brand-specific: see Bosch dishwasher repair Ottawa, Miele dishwasher repair Ottawa, KitchenAid dishwasher repair Ottawa or the Ottawa dishwasher repair service hub. We have been fixing dishwashers on both sides of the river since 1995, and our repairs are factory-authorized.

From Kanata and Stittsville in the west to Orléans in the east, through Nepean, Barrhaven, Gloucester and South Keys, we repair dishwashers across Ottawa, and across the river in Gatineau, Hull and Aylmer; a same-day visit is often possible when the schedule allows.

For Gatineau homes, the Gatineau version of this guide covers Hull, Aylmer and the rest of the city. We also repair washers, dryers and refrigerators, and handle emergency appliance repair. Other guides: washer not spinning, dryer not heating and fridge not cooling.