Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Not Draining? Drain Pump Fix

Here is the next five-step article, covering both Fisher & Paykel DishDrawer models and traditional front-door dishwashers.

Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Not Draining? Drain-Pump Motor Diagnosis and Repair Cost

Your Fisher & Paykel dishwasher finishes its cycle, but dirty water remains inside.

The machine may make a humming or grinding noise, display a drain error, or work properly during one cycle and fail during the next.

Does this mean you need a new dishwasher?

Usually, no.

In our experience, a Fisher & Paykel dishwasher that does not drain often has a blockage or a worn drain-pump motor. On DishDrawer models, the affected component may be described as the pump rotor or motor rotor assembly.

Before replacing the pump, the filter, drain hose, sink connection and pump area should all be inspected.

Step 1: Identify the Drainage Problem

Common symptoms include:

• Water remains inside after the cycle.

• The dishwasher stops before completing the program.

• The drain pump hums but does not remove water.

• The pump makes a grinding or rattling noise.

• The dishwasher drains slowly.

• It drains during some cycles but not others.

• Dirty water returns after being pumped out.

• A drain-related fault code appears.

• One DishDrawer works while the other does not.

A small amount of water around the filter area can be normal on certain DishDrawer models. However, water covering the filter plate or remaining throughout the tub usually indicates a drainage problem.

Some newer DishDrawer models may display an A3 fault, meaning the drawer cannot drain. Fisher & Paykel recommends checking the drain hose and pipe connections for blockages.

Step 2: Check the Dishwasher Safely

Cancel the cycle and listen

Cancel the current program. The dishwasher should attempt to pump out the remaining water.

Listen carefully:

• A normal pumping sound with no drainage: The hose or sink connection may be blocked.

• A low hum: The pump may be jammed or unable to turn.

• Grinding or rattling: Glass, food debris or another object may be interfering with the pump rotor.

• No sound: The pump motor, wiring, control or power supply may have failed.

If the pump makes a severe grinding noise, stop the dishwasher. Continuing to run it may damage the rotor or pump housing.

Check the sink connection

Look underneath the kitchen sink.

Make sure the sink itself drains properly. If the sink or garbage disposal is blocked, the dishwasher may not be able to discharge its water.

Inspect the dishwasher connection for:

• Food buildup

• A blocked drain spigot

• A recently installed garbage disposal with an unopened connection

• A loose or damaged hose

• Water leaking around the connection

Fisher & Paykel identifies a blocked drain-hose connection or sink spigot as a possible cause of a DishDrawer not draining.

Inspect the drain hose

Check the accessible drain hose for:

• Kinks

• Crushing behind the dishwasher

• Grease buildup

• A sharp bend

• An incorrect installation

• A blocked or damaged connection

A kinked hose can allow the dishwasher to drain intermittently. The machine may work when the hose moves slightly and fail again during another cycle.

Clean the filter

Turn off the dishwasher’s electrical power before working inside it.

Remove the rack and clean the drain filter according to the instructions for your model. Remove:

• Food debris

• Labels

• Grease

• Toothpicks

• Small bones

• Pieces of broken glass

Fisher & Paykel recommends cleaning the filter regularly to prevent food and grease from restricting drainage.

Wear protective gloves and be careful around the pump area because small pieces of glass may be difficult to see.

Inspect the DishDrawer rotor

On many DishDrawer models, the motor rotor is located underneath the spray arm and filter plate.

Once the dishwasher is disconnected from power, the rotor can be inspected for debris or damage according to the model’s instructions.

Fisher & Paykel specifically recommends checking the rotor when a DishDrawer will not drain, makes an unusual noise or has something preventing the rotor from turning. It also warns that broken glass may be hidden around the rotor.

Do not operate the dishwasher without the motor assembly, filter plate, drain filter and spray arm correctly installed.

Step 3: Determine the Likely Solution

If the filter, drain hose and sink connection are clear but the dishwasher still will not drain, the pump or motor rotor becomes a strong suspect.

A worn drain-pump motor may:

• Work only when cold

• Stop after becoming hot

• Make a loud humming sound

• Drain intermittently

• Develop a damaged or loose impeller

• Fail to start during the drain cycle

The technician should test:

• Drain-pump or rotor operation

• Electrical resistance

• Voltage supplied to the motor

• Pump wiring and connectors

• Drain hose and check valve

• Control-board output

• Pump housing for foreign objects

DishDrawer models

On many DishDrawer models, the repair may involve replacing the complete rotor assembly rather than a traditional separate drain pump.

Fisher & Paykel Canada currently lists a standard-width DishDrawer rotor assembly as an available replacement component. Traditional front-door dishwashers

A conventional Fisher & Paykel dishwasher may use a separate drain-pump motor. The technician may need to remove the lower access panel or pull the dishwasher from the cabinet.

The correct pump must always be matched using the complete model and product code.

Step 4: Technician’s Recommendation

As an appliance technician, I normally recommend repairing a Fisher & Paykel dishwasher when the drain-pump motor or rotor is the confirmed problem.

A failed drain pump does not mean the tub, racks, circulation system and entire dishwasher are finished.

Most customers choose the repair because replacing a Fisher & Paykel dishwasher may cost two or three times more after including:

• A new dishwasher

• Delivery

• Installation

• Removal of the old appliance

• Plumbing connections

• Electrical work

• Cabinet adjustments

For a double DishDrawer, each drawer operates independently. If only one drawer has a drainage problem, the repair may be limited to that drawer.

Cleaning the filter may solve the issue when debris is the only cause. However, cleaning is only temporary when the motor is worn and operating intermittently.

Pump replacement is generally recommended when:

• The pump is noisy.

• The impeller or rotor is damaged.

• The motor works intermittently.

• The motor receives power but does not operate.

• The drainage problem repeatedly returns.

Step 5: Fisher & Paykel Drain-Pump Repair Prices

The final price depends on whether the appliance is a DishDrawer or a traditional dishwasher, the required motor design and part availability.

Typical TrustedFix pricing may include:

• Drain-pump motor or rotor assembly: approximately $180–$250

• Professional diagnosis and labour: approximately $260–$300

• Estimated complete repair: approximately $440–$550

These are general Canadian estimates before taxes, travel charges or additional parts.

The repair may cost less when only the filter, hose or sink connection needs cleaning. It may cost more if the dishwasher also requires:

• A drain hose

• Check valve

• Wiring repair

• Pump housing

• Main control board

• Leak repair

Models This Problem May Affect

This general diagnosis can apply to many Fisher & Paykel dishwasher families, including:

• DD24 single DishDrawer models

• DD24 double DishDrawer models

• DD60 DishDrawer models

• DD90 wide DishDrawer models

• DW60 traditional dishwashers

Different models use different pump motors, rotor assemblies and drainage layouts. Fisher & Paykel provides model-specific user guides and parts information, so the full model number and product code should be used before ordering components.

Book a Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Repair

If your Fisher & Paykel dishwasher leaves water inside, first check the filter, drain hose and sink connection.

If the pump hums, grinds, works intermittently or will not operate after the drainage path has been cleared, the drain-pump motor or rotor may need replacement.

TrustedFix Appliance Repair can inspect the filter system, drain hose, check valve, rotor, pump motor, wiring and control board before recommending a repair.

In most cases, replacing a confirmed failed drain-pump motor costs considerably less than purchasing and installing a new Fisher & Paykel dishwasher.