LG Dishwasher Not Draining: Causes and How to Fix It
Updated · from manufacturer service documentation
If an LG dishwasher won't drain, LG's own Drain Error diagnostic checks the filter assembly, the drain hose, and the air gap before ever suspecting the drain motor or controller. The dishwasher displays a Drain Error when it doesn't reach the normal water level during the drain step — most causes on this checklist are things you can check and clear yourself.
What Causes an LG 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
-
Clean the filter assembly
Per LG's service documentation, a blocked filter is the most common cause of the dishwasher not reaching normal water level during drain and needs simple cleaning.
-
Check the drain hose for kinks or blockages
Remove whatever is causing the kink or blockage.
-
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 — see the dedicated OE code page if this is your situation.
-
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, repair or replace the drain motor and clean it out.
-
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.
-
If everything above checks out, the controller may be damaged
This is a job for a technician.
Which Models This Applies To
Documented for the LG LDF5545ST dishwasher service manual. This same Drain Error diagnostic table and parts list also applies to LG-built Kenmore dishwashers (model numbers starting 795) sold under that badge — see the Kenmore version if that's your unit.
See also: LG dishwasher OE · LG dishwasher reset. Full list: all LG dishwasher error codes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most common reason an 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.
Is my dishwasher's drain problem the same as Kenmore's?
If your Kenmore dishwasher's model number starts with 795, yes — it's built by LG and uses this exact same diagnostic table and parts.
Based on the LG dishwasher service documentation (LDF5545ST). Last updated: .