Bosch Dishwasher Not Draining At End Of Cycle? (here’s why & what to do)
Bosch are well known for their reliable appliances so you can rest assured that if yours isn’t draining at the end of a cycle it’s going to be something that’s relatively easy to fix.
If your Bosch dishwasher hasn’t drained at the end of the cycle, keep reading. In this article we look at the reasons why your dishwasher has failed to drain and ways to fix it.
Reasons Why Your Bosch Dishwasher Fails To Drain At The End Of A Cycle
If you’ve noticed that your Bosch dishwasher still has water in it at the end of a cycle it will most likely be because of one of the following;
- Blocked Drain Hose
The drain hose on your dishwasher could have become twisted or kinked which could cause it to become clogged with food matter. To solve this untwist the drain hose so that waste water can flow freely. If it’s not twisted or kinked, it could still be blocked, and to check this you’ll need to remove the drain hose from your dishwasher and using a plumber’s snake, remove any food debris or undissolved detergent. - The Use Of Inferior Detergent
Dishwashers are designed to function with detergents that don’t produce soap suds. If you have recently changed to a cheaper poorer quality detergent, it could create too many soap suds which would then not all drain away at the end of the cycle. - Blocked Filter
The filter traps food particles and prevents them from flowing back onto your dishes. If the filter becomes blocked, it can prevent the waste water from flowing out of your dishwasher. To resolve this you’ll need to remove the filter and give it a good clean in the sink using a brush. - Blocked Waste Pipe
The dishwasher’s drain hose is connected to the waste pipe under the sink which takes all the waste water from the sink as well as that from the dishwasher. If this waste pipe becomes clogged at all with food, grease or soap solids, this will prevent the dishwasher from draining at the end of the cycle. Check that the waste pipe is free flowing and if not, use a plumber’s snake to clear any blockage. - Blocked Air Gap
The air gap is designed to allow waste water to leave your dishwasher and not run back into it. It does this by forcing water upwards and then dropping it through a gap (air gap) which prevents it from returning. If the air gap gets clogged with detergent or food scraps, it can prevent the dishwasher from draining properly. - Faulty Drain Pump
The drain pump is responsible for pumping waste water from the dishwasher. If this drain pump develops a fault, it could prevent the dishwasher from draining correctly. You can check the pump yourself but as it involves taking the appliance apart, you might want to leave it to an expert. If you decide to tackle it yourself you’ll need to use a multimeter to check that it’s receiving power. - Faulty Drain Valve
The drain valve is essentially a one way valve that allows water to flow from the dishwasher but prevents it flowing back in. The drain valve only opens when there’s sufficient pressure to force the valve open. If there is any food, detergent or other debris blocking the valve it cannot open which could lead to it shorting out. - Faulty Timer
On some Bosch dishwashers there is a mechanical timer that regulates the drain solenoid. If the timer develops a fault, it will prevent the dishwasher from draining at the end of a cycle. To check this you’ll need to access the timer which is located on the control panel. You will need to use a multimeter to check for continuity and if it fails the continuity test, the timer will need to be replaced.
Items needed to carry out repairs and tests on your Bosch dishwasher mentioned in this article;
Plumber’s Snake
- Professional manual drain auger snake 7.7 meters will easily resolve slow or drain clogs, free length adjustment available. It fits most drain pipes: bathtub drains, bathroom drains, shower drains, sinks, downspouts, and sewer drains.
- Submachine gun super cool appearance design. It consists of strong recyclable ABS handle/drum and flexible manganese long steel snake, will quickly remove obstructions and be a lasting and excellent performance.
Multimeter
- 【MULTIPURPOSE USE】 Compact digital multimeter ideal for commercial and home use. Works as a voltmeter, ammeter, ohmmeter testing continuity, AC/ DC voltage, diode, transistor HFE, car battery tester
- 【RELIABLE PERFORMANCE】 This digital multi tester includes test leads and 9V battery, overcharge protection on all ranges, low battery indicator. Double insulation with a stand for good viewing angle
How To Reset A Bosch Dishwasher That Doesn’t Drain When The Cycle Ends
There are 2 options left to clear the stuck cycle that has caused the dishwasher to not drain.
Using The Control Panel To Reset The Drain Function
Sometimes you can reset the dishwasher to drain the water by using the control panel. To do this you’ll need to;
- Press and hold the “start” button until the green light goes off (on some models there is a “drain” or “cancel” button which does the same thing.
- Wait for 15 to 20 seconds to allow the water to drain.
Using A Hard Reset To Reset The Drain Function
It is possible to manually force the dishwasher to drain by first performing what is known as a hard reset. This involves disconnecting the power supply to the appliance for at least 10 minutes. This gives the unit time to clear any remaining stored functions.
How To Perform A Hard Reset On A Bosch Dishwasher
To perform a hard reset just do the following;
- Unplug the plug from the wall socket
- Allow 10 minutes to elapse
- Plug the appliance back into the wall socket
- Turn on the dishwasher and check for any error codes.
To force the dishwasher to drain after it has been reset simply press the “drain” or “start” button to drain any water left in the bottom of the appliance.
If the appliance still doesn’t drain the water away, there’s a good chance that the drain pump is at fault and will need to be replaced.
If All Else Fails…
If you still have no success draining the water from your dishwasher, you’ll have to do it by hand. This involves carefully opening the door and removing the bottom rack.
Then using a small jug or ladle, scoop the water from the bottom of the appliance. When the water level drops too low for the ladle, use a towel or some paper towels to remove the rest. Then you can work on the pump etc without flooding your home or getting soaked.
Is There Any Way To Prevent Blockages?
You can prevent blockages in your dishwasher by always removing loose food scraps from the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.
You should also use a hot wash cleaning cycle at least once a month to prevent any food particles or dried detergent from building up.
Remember to clean the filter regularly as well to prevent any food particles from blocking the flow of water out of the appliance.
This should ensure that your dishwasher keeps working as it was designed to for many years without causing any problems.
SEE ALSO: What Are The Best Dishwasher Tablets?
Frequently Asked Questions
You can usually force a Bosch dishwasher to drain simply by pressing and holding the “start” button until the green light goes out. The appliance should then automatically drain. If not you’ll need to perform a hard reset by disconnecting the plug from the wall socket and allowing 10 minutes to pass. When you plug it back in, press the “drain” or “start” Button and the appliance should then drain.
It is normal for there to be around 1 cup of water left over from the previous cycle. This is to prevent the seals from drying out. Any more than that, and you could have a mechanical problem.
If your dishwasher doesn’t drain away all of the water, you will need to do it manually. To do this use a ladle and scoop the water from the bottom of the appliance. Once it becomes too little for the ladle to reach, use a towel or paper towels to absorb the remainder.
