Whirlpool Gold dishwasher not completely draining (but does drain when restarted for less than a minute - then canceled)

Question

My dishwasher does a great job cleaning my dishes, but never completely drains from the lower pan (I can stick a finger in to still feel a full pan of water). But it I start the dishwasher for less than a minute, and then cancel the wash cycle - it completely drains (I can see it draining in the garbage disposal - so I know it's not a clogged tube running to the sink). I've taken it apart and cleaned all the routes. Just wondering if there's another DIY fix (of if it's just a technical glitch).

SLS Construction & Building Solutions LLC · Answer

If I had to guess I would say it is probably a control board or sensor issue, however I did a quick Google search and saw something called a sediment settler causing similiar issues, so that might be worth checking out (diagram should be in you owners manual)

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

I would tend to agree with SLS on this as being a control board issue. If your turning it off then on again to get it to drain, the program is hanging up in the electronic board. It also could be a pump on the way out, but I would stick to the control board first.

Jeanette S · Answer

Can you believe we had a service call on this problem (2 in fact) and were told 'it keeps water in it to keep the seals from drying out'. I HATE my new dishwasher. I called one of the biggest seller of appliances and asked if they had a machine that did not hold water and was told no. I also hate my front loading washing machine because I have to leave the door open because it stinks if you don't. What kind of TRASH appliances are being pushed on us? I use more water because I have reverted to hand washing more stuff so that 'energy saving, environmentally using less water' crap they are feeding us is not being swallowed.

Nancy laverick · Answer

I think you have defective appliances.

Chuck · Answer

The problem is NOT the program in the board. Yes, dw's do keep some water left in the sump, but not such that if you do a second drain, much if any water gets pumped out. The issue is a clogged drain. This could be in the pump assembly. or in the line to the gd. Most dw's have a device that has a check ball in it to keeps water from coming back into the dishwasher. This device gets semi plugged with debris. The pump assembly should be pulled to chk for blockages. Not to hard a job for an experienced whirlpool tech, tougher for a novice.

Jeanette S · Answer

Chuck, you may be right, but when a NEW DW is giving trouble, you know it can't be a trash build up problem...and when the service tech tells you 'it has to hold water' after the cycle has completed, well???? and too many people are complaining about the new appliances. I think a lot of environmental things are being pushed on us that are not working, such as the solar ideas! Solar is a fantastic concept, but basically it does not work as it is 'touted' to work...just doesn't! I have threatened hubby that if he buys another solar light I am going to us it as a club to pound some sense into his brain!

Chuck · Answer

He never said how 'new' the unit was, and it doesn't take but one dirty load to stop up some of these dw's. His problem could just as easily be in the drain he said he figured out to be clear. Your comments on newer appliances being trash makes me laugh, because I had to deal with these appliances and customers like you. Not fun.

360 Sod (Donna Dixson) · Answer

lol @Jeanette S I know what you mean.

Christine · Answer

The problem may be after the garbage disposal. I had this problem and took everything apart according to a manual I found. Lots of white limescale everywhere. After I cleaned it and put it back together, it still wouldn't drain. Called a plumber and he followed the line to where it connects under the sink. There was a very narrow spot where the dishwasher empties into another pipe, which was clogged with limescale. He poked it with his screwdriver, and after that the dishwasher drained.

Pamela Sloan · Answer

Could be your water. We just replaced 2 water heaters that were full of gunk from hard water.  We put a new water filter on our water coming into the house and everything seems to be running better.

Donald House · Answer

We also have a Whirlpool, brand new, and it has the same issue. Washes fine, but leaves a pool of water in the bottom. There is a button - Cancel/Drain - on the panel. If we push it, it drains the water out. Our plumber says all is good with the drain plumbing, so that leaves the control as the culprit. It may be designed to work this way. Nothing to do with environmental politics, just a bad design.

Sherry Young · Answer

Jeanette S You sure seem to be full of piss and vinegar. Things change get use to it. @Chuck I also work in customer service I figure 9 out of 10 customers are always grateful to have the service that you provide. The real bad ones I name Satan's sister/brother.

Lisadoll · Answer

It could be that tiny food particles or pieces of broken glass or dish are stuck in the very tiny food grinder area.
'YOUTUBE' your model. I had a similar issue. Found a very clear, step by step, video on YouTube , followed it precisely, and found tiny pieces of fish bone, and chipped dish in the grinder area, blocking the water from completely draining.
Good Luck!

Lisadoll · Answer

BTW: I cannot disagree with Jeanette. It seems we are at the mercy of whatever is 'in style' at the moment. WHO exactly are these appliance manufacturers asking? Some have ridiculous features, (like not being able to interrupt a load in a washer without it draining, or no water level adjustment) dishwashers that take FOREVER.. DONT EVEN GET WOMEN STARTED ON THIS TOPIC!
You go Jeanette!

Jim H · Answer

UPDATE: I recently replaced the garbage disposal and now the dish washer drains every time! As far as its age, I've had it for 11 years so lucky it's still running.

Gladys Rhoads · Answer

I put baking soda and vinegar down each drain every month or 6 weeks to keep the grease and lime from building up.

Evelyn McMullen · Answer

hmmm, thanks to all for comments; I quit using mine about 5 yrs ago for this very reason, will try some of the hints.

153091 · Answer

this will sound 'off the wall' but I shake a LEMONADE KOOLAID regular NOT unsweetened pack in my empty dishwasher and run the dishwasher.Comes out CLEAN...VERY CLEAN. P.S. Gladys does what I also do..vinegar & baking soda.

Cheryl · Answer

Lisadoll, You are right! If Chuck and Sherry are hearing this often enough to gripe, they probably ought to wonder about the appliances, not the upset customers. And repairmen are probably doing well, unlike the old Maytag guy. When Sherry says 'things change', did she mean get used to cheap, poorly made appliances?

I don't think it's just 'style', but that's part of it. In my youth, appliances were meant to last a LONG time and they did. Now it seems they are being made very cheaply; they are seem 'disposable' with a life span of 8-10 years if you're lucky. My 29 yr old stove is still going strong - even the clock still works. But it will look horrible when I re-do my kitchen, so I want a new one.

After reading reviews after reviews to determine the best to buy, I'm still stumped. People are having problems with all of them and really upset. Even the elite brands most of us can't afford are getting bad reviews. A lot of them are needing repair the first year. This seems to apply to appliances purchased within about the last 5 yrs or so. I simply can't find one with consistently decent reviews to know what to buy.

Les · Answer

I have a Samsung dishwasher which I had to attend to like about six times.

The first was under warranty when the door would not stay open mid way.

Then the moisture problems began. I ordered a part from repair clinic. Following YT tutorials, I cleaned and dried up the parts. The moisture collects below at the base of the machine where the leak sensor is triggered to set the LE error message. I pull out the machine, turn it upside down and dry it up. A little time consuming but fairly easy fix.

Dave cozy · Answer

I have similar problem which are from Clogged Drain Hose, it isn’t working properly is when the drain hose is clogged with food waste. see the tips on how to repair it in Dishwasher Not Draining

Kathleen · Answer

my dish washer did the same. The pump went. It was 8 years old. I was afraid some thing else would break, so i just got a new one.

Whirlpool Gold dishwasher not completely draining (but does drain when restarted for less than a minute - then canceled)

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Whirlpool Gold dishwasher not completely draining (but does drain when restarted for less than a minute - then canceled)

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