Amana Dishwasher Not Draining – Fix It Fast
1. Clogged or Dirty Filter (Most Common Cause)
The filter traps food particles and debris, and when it becomes packed solid it blocks water from reaching the drain. This is the single most frequent reason an Amana dishwasher won’t drain and is completely free to fix.
- Cancel the cycle and open the dishwasher door. Remove the lower dish rack.
- Locate the cylindrical filter assembly in the center or back of the tub floor. Twist it counterclockwise and lift it out.
- Rinse the filter under warm running water, scrubbing gently with a soft brush to remove grease and debris.
- Check the flat mesh filter beneath it and rinse that as well.
- Reinstall both filter pieces, twist clockwise to lock, and run a short rinse cycle to confirm draining has improved.
2. Blocked or Kinked Drain Hose
The drain hose carries water from the pump to your sink drain or garbage disposal, and any kink, clog, or improper high-loop installation will cause standing water in the tub.
- Disconnect power to the dishwasher at the circuit breaker before touching any hoses.
- Pull the dishwasher forward slightly or open the cabinet beneath the sink to access the drain hose.
- Inspect the full length of the hose for kinks or sharp bends and straighten them out.
- Confirm the hose forms a high loop — it should rise to near the underside of the counter before dropping to the drain connection. Secure with a zip tie if needed.
- Disconnect the hose at the sink drain or garbage disposal end and check for a solid clog. Clear any blockage with a long brush or flush with water.
- If the hose is cracked or permanently kinked, replace it.
3. Garbage Disposal Knockout Plug Not Removed
If your garbage disposal was recently installed or replaced, the factory knockout plug inside the disposal’s dishwasher inlet may still be in place, completely blocking drainage.
- Turn off power to the garbage disposal at the wall switch or breaker.
- Disconnect the dishwasher drain hose from the disposal’s side inlet port.
- Look inside the inlet port with a flashlight. If you see a solid plastic cap (the knockout plug), it must be removed.
- Use a flathead screwdriver and hammer to tap the plug inward into the disposal chamber, then reach in and remove the loose plug piece.
- Reattach the drain hose securely, restore power, and run a rinse cycle.
4. Clogged Drain Pump or Pump Impeller
Small pieces of broken glass, a cherry pit, or other hard debris can jam the drain pump impeller, preventing it from spinning and pumping water out of the tub.
- Disconnect power at the breaker. Remove standing water from the tub using a towel or wet/dry vacuum.
- Remove the lower rack, filter assembly, and any spray arm that blocks access to the pump cover at the tub floor.
- Unscrew or unclip the pump cover and lift it away.
- Inspect the impeller area for debris — glass shards, seeds, or gravel are common culprits. Remove any foreign objects carefully.
- Rotate the impeller by hand; it should spin freely. If it spins freely and the pump area was clear, skip to Cause 5.
- Reassemble, restore power, and run a rinse cycle to test.
5. Failed Drain Pump Motor
If the impeller is clear and unobstructed but the dishwasher still holds water, the drain pump motor itself may have burned out and will need to be replaced.
- Disconnect power at the breaker and remove all standing water from the tub.
- Lay the dishwasher on its back or side (put down towels first) to access the pump mounted on the underside of the tub.
- Disconnect the wiring harness connector from the drain pump and take note of the wire positions.
- Use a multimeter set to Rx1 to test the pump motor terminals for continuity. A reading of infinity (no continuity) confirms the motor has failed.
- Disconnect the drain hose and mounting clips, remove the old pump, and install the replacement. Reconnect the wiring harness and drain hose.
- Restore power and run a full cycle to confirm the issue is resolved.
6. Faulty Door Latch or Control Board Preventing Drain Cycle
The dishwasher must sense that the door is fully latched before it executes a drain cycle, and a worn latch or a malfunctioning control board can cause the drain sequence to be skipped entirely.
- Open and firmly close the door, listening for a solid click that confirms the latch has engaged.
- Inspect the door latch assembly for visible cracks or a bent strike. Replace the latch if damaged.
- If the latch appears fine, try a hard reset: disconnect power at the breaker for 5 minutes, then restore power and start a new cycle.
- If the dishwasher runs but the drain phase never activates, and all mechanical components test fine, the main control board may need professional diagnosis or replacement.
- Consult the Amana official support page to download your model’s service manual for control board diagnostic codes.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my Amana dishwasher not draining completely — just leaving a small amount of water?
A small amount of water (roughly one to two cups) pooled at the very bottom of the tub is normal and intentional — it keeps the door gasket from drying out. If the standing water is deeper than about an inch, you have a partial blockage, most likely in the filter or drain hose, and should work through the steps above starting with Cause 1.
Will running a drain cycle fix the problem?
You can force a drain cycle by pressing and holding the “Start/Cancel” button for three seconds — this tells the dishwasher to pump out any standing water. This is useful for clearing water before servicing the appliance, but it will not fix the underlying cause. You still need to identify and correct whatever is blocking or preventing drainage.
How often should I clean the dishwasher filter to prevent draining problems?
For a typical household, cleaning the filter once a month is a good rule of thumb. If you run the dishwasher daily or frequently wash heavily soiled dishes without pre-rinsing, clean the filter every two weeks. Regular cleaning is the single best preventive measure against an amana dishwasher not draining.
Can a clogged kitchen sink drain cause the dishwasher not to drain?
Yes, absolutely. If the dishwasher drains into the same branch of plumbing as a slow or clogged kitchen sink, backpressure or a full blockage downstream will prevent the dishwasher from draining properly. Try clearing the sink drain first — run hot water, use a plunger, or snake the drain — and then test the dishwasher again before replacing any parts.