Kenmore Dishwasher Not Draining: Causes and How to Fix It
Updated · from manufacturer service documentation
Many Kenmore dishwashers (model numbers starting 795.xxx) are built by LG, sharing the same internal components and diagnostics as equivalent LG dishwashers. There's no independent Kenmore service manual with different facts for these units — the causes and fixes below come directly from the matching LG service documentation's Drain Error diagnostic table.
What Causes a Kenmore Dishwasher to Not Drain
| Cause | Likelihood | DIY difficulty | Related part |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filter assembly blocked | Most common | Easy — clean filter | Filter assembly |
| Drain hose kinked or blocked | Common | Easy — remove kink/blockage | Drain hose |
| Air gap clogged | Common | Easy — clean air gap | Air gap |
| Garbage disposal or waste tee knockout plug not removed | Common (new installs) | Easy — remove plug | — |
| Inner hole of the drain case blocked | Less common | Moderate — repair/replace drain motor | Drain motor |
| Drain motor impeller stuck | Less common | Moderate — clean drain motor | Drain motor |
| Wash motor locked or defective | Less common | Moderate — replace pump casing assembly | Pump casing assembly |
| Wiring connection fault | Less common | Moderate — check and reconnect wire | Wiring |
| Controller damaged | Rare | Pro repair | Controller |
How to Fix It, Step by Step
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Clean the filter assembly
Per the service documentation, a blocked filter is the most common cause of the dishwasher not reaching normal water level during drain and needs simple cleaning.
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Check the drain hose for kinks or blockages
Remove whatever is causing the kink or blockage.
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Clean the air gap
A clogged air gap fitting (if your installation has one) restricts drainage the same as a hose blockage.
-
If newly installed, remove the knockout plug
A garbage disposal or waste tee connection ships with a plug in place that must be removed before the dishwasher can drain into it.
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Check for a blocked drain case or stuck impeller
If the inner hole of the drain case is blocked, or the drain motor's impeller is stuck, the service documentation calls for repairing or replacing the drain motor and cleaning it out.
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Check the wiring connection and wash motor
A loose or disconnected wire should be reconnected; a locked or defective wash motor requires replacing the pump casing assembly.
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If everything above checks out, the controller may be damaged
This is a job for a technician.
Which Models This Applies To
Documented via the LG LDF5545ST dishwasher service manual. Kenmore dishwasher models beginning with 795 are LG-built and share this same Drain Error diagnostic table and parts — if your model number starts differently, this specific breakdown may not apply to your unit.
See also: LG dishwasher OE (for a newly connected disposal/waste tee). Full list: all LG dishwasher error codes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my Kenmore dishwasher actually made by LG?
If the model number starts with 795, yes — Kenmore sources many of its dishwashers from LG, and those units run the same internal diagnostics as LG-branded models.
What's the most common reason a Kenmore/LG dishwasher won't drain?
A blocked filter assembly, per the service documentation — it's listed first among the documented causes and is the easiest to check and clean yourself.
I just installed my dishwasher and it won't drain — what should I check first?
The knockout plug on the garbage disposal or waste tee connection. It's a common installation-stage cause, not a defect — see the dedicated OE code page for the full installation checklist.
When does a draining problem need a technician?
If the filter, hose, air gap, and knockout plug all check out, but the drain motor's impeller is stuck, the wash motor is locked, or the controller is damaged, these are moderate-to-pro-level repairs.
Based on the LG dishwasher service documentation (LDF5545ST), which applies to LG-built Kenmore dishwashers (795.xxx model numbers). Last updated: .