What does Frigidaire Dishwasher Not Draining - Causes & Fix mean?

A Frigidaire dishwasher that won't drain usually has a clogged filter, blocked drain hose, or forgotten disposer knockout plug blocking the path.

How do I fix Frigidaire Dishwasher Not Draining - Causes & Fix?

Follow the step-by-step diagnosis below. The most likely fix is identified by checking power, sensor resistance, and control-board signals in order — using a multimeter and the part numbers documented in the parts reference table.

Can I keep running the equipment with this fault active?

Generally no. Faults on Appliance units are emitted when a sensor, safety, or control circuit is outside its operating envelope. Running through an active fault risks compressor, heater, or control-board damage. Diagnose and clear the fault first.

What part is most commonly replaced for Frigidaire Dishwasher Not Draining - Causes & Fix?

The most frequently replaced parts for Frigidaire Dishwasher Not Draining - Causes & Fix are listed in the Parts Reference section of this guide with OEM part numbers and typical price ranges. Check the table for direct replacements.

Is Frigidaire Dishwasher Not Draining - Causes & Fix a DIY repair or do I need a technician?

Sensor swaps, fan motor replacements, and condenser cleaning are typical DIY-level repairs. Anything involving refrigerant, gas, or high-voltage (>240V) work requires a licensed technician for both safety and code-compliance reasons.

Frigidaire Dishwasher Not Draining - Causes & Fix

Frigidaire Dishwasher Not Draining — What’s Happening

When your Frigidaire dishwasher won’t drain, water stays standing in the bottom of the tub after the cycle ends. The machine detected that the drain sequence did not complete successfully, meaning water remained in the sump or the drain pump could not evacuate the tub. Frigidaire models often display an i20 code alongside this symptom, which explicitly means the unit did not drain properly.

This is almost always caused by a physical blockage or installation issue in the drain path, not a failed control board. Water has to travel from the sump through the filter, into the drain pump, out through the drain hose, and into your household plumbing (either a sink trap or garbage disposal inlet). Any obstruction, kink, or incorrect routing along that path will prevent drainage.

Jump to Fix

Most Likely Causes

Clogged glass trap or filter Food debris, broken glass, or paper can block the filter assembly at the bottom of the tub and restrict water flow into the drain pump.
Disposer knockout plug not removed If you installed a new garbage disposal and forgot to punch out the dishwasher inlet plug, the drain hose is completely blocked at the disposer.
Blocked or kinked drain hose The drain hose can accumulate food debris inside, or it may be pinched, kinked, or routed below the required 32-inch minimum height from the floor.
Failed or obstructed drain pump The drain pump motor may be weak, failed, or jammed by debris in the impeller, preventing it from running or generating enough pressure to push water out.
Improper drain hose height or routing Frigidaire specifies that the drain hose must be installed at least 32 inches from the floor to prevent siphoning and backflow issues.
Clogged household drain or disposal If the sink or garbage disposal drain is backed up, water from the dishwasher has nowhere to go and will remain in the tub.

How to Diagnose and Fix

Turn off power to the dishwasher at the breaker or unplug the unit, then use towels or a shop vacuum to remove standing water from the tub.
Remove the bottom dish rack and pull out the glass trap and filter assembly from the sump, then rinse it under running water to clear any food debris or foreign objects.
Check the garbage disposal inlet if your dishwasher drains through a disposer and confirm the knockout plug has been removed, then run the disposal briefly to clear any blockage.
Disconnect the drain hose from the disposal or sink drain and inspect it for kinks, pinches, blockage, or incorrect routing, and verify the hose rises to at least 32 inches from the floor at its high point.
Inspect the sump area and drain pump inlet for debris such as broken glass, food particles, or small objects that could jam the impeller.
Restore power and run a cancel or drain cycle while listening for the drain pump to activate. A hum without water movement suggests a blocked or failed pump, while silence points to an electrical or motor failure.
If the drain system is clear and the pump runs but the fault returns, consider replacing the drain pump or inspecting wiring and control components.
After repairs, reset the dishwasher by holding the cancel button, turning off the breaker for three minutes, or unplugging the unit to clear any stored fault codes.

Parts You Might Need

Part	Notes
Frigidaire dishwasher drain pump	Amazon \| Motor and impeller assembly that evacuates water from the sump
Dishwasher drain hose	Amazon \| Flexible corrugated hose from pump outlet to household drain
Dishwasher glass trap and filter	Amazon \| Clean first, replace only if cracked or damaged

If your appliance also shows a code on the display, these match this problem:

When to Call a Pro

If you’ve cleaned the filter, confirmed the drain hose is clear and properly routed, verified the knockout plug is removed, and the dishwasher still won’t drain, the drain pump likely needs replacement or there is a wiring or sensor fault. A tech can test the pump motor for continuity, inspect internal wiring, and replace the pump assembly if needed. If the fault persists after pump replacement, control board or float sensor diagnostics may be required.