LG Dishwasher Not Draining?
Standing water in the bottom of your LG dishwasher is usually a drainage blockage, not a pump failure. Here’s what to check before scheduling a service call.
Step-by-step troubleshooting
LG dishwashers have a cylindrical filter in the bottom of the tub. Twist it counterclockwise to remove, then rinse under running water. Food debris here is the #1 cause of drainage problems. Clean it monthly.
Pull the dishwasher out slightly and inspect the drain hose running from the unit to the garbage disposal or drain pipe. A kinked or pinched hose will prevent water from draining. Straighten any bends.
The drain hose must have an air gap (the chrome cap on your countertop near the sink) or a high loop where the hose goes up near the top of the cabinet under the sink. Without this, dirty water can siphon back into the dishwasher.
If you recently installed a new garbage disposal, the dishwasher drain knockout plug inside the disposal inlet may not have been removed. Turn off power to the disposal and check the inlet where the drain hose connects.
Run your garbage disposal for 15 seconds with water before starting the dishwasher. If the disposal is clogged, the dishwasher can’t drain through it.
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When to call a professional
If the dishwasher makes a humming noise during the drain cycle but no water is moving, the drain pump motor has likely failed. On LG dishwashers, this is located under the unit and requires removing the lower access panel and disconnecting the pump assembly.