How To Drain Kenmore Dishwasher: All Drain Methods Explained

If you’re the proud owner of a Kenmore dishwasher, you already know the joy it brings to your kitchen cleanup routine. 

But what happens when this trusty appliance encounters a hiccup in its drainage system? Don’t worry; I’ve got you covered. 

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of draining your Kenmore dishwasher with ease.

Let’s Start.

How To Drain Kenmore Dishwasher

You can employ this same method for every Kenmore Dishwasher to drain them – Kenmore Ultra Wash Dishwasher, Kenmore Elite Dishwasher – all of them usually come with this button.

1. Press and hold the Cancel/Drain button on the control panel for about 3 seconds. 
2. This will activate the drain cycle and pump out the water from the dishwasher. You may hear a humming noise as the pump works. Let it happen.
3. Wait until the cycle is complete and the water is drained before opening the door.

How To Force Drain A Kenmore Dishwasher

For forcing the drain, there are 2 methods worth noting:

• Method 1

1. If the Cancel/Drain button does not work, you can try to reset the dishwasher by unplugging it or turning off the circuit breaker for a few minutes. 
2. Then, plug it back in or turn on the breaker and press the Cancel/Drain button again. 

This will clear any errors or glitches that prevent the dishwasher from draining.

• Method 2

If you want to get a little more hands-on, you can manually force the drain to work better if the button combo seems ineffective – just follow these steps:

1. Begin by shutting off the power and water supply to the dishwasher. 
2. Empty the dishwasher and use towels or a sponge to soak up any standing water.
3. Locate the filter at the bottom of the dishwasher and twist it counterclockwise to remove it. 
4. Rinse the filter under running water and scrub it with a soft brush or sponge to remove any food debris or grease.
5. Use a plumber’s snake or coat hanger to clear blockages in the drain hose connecting the dishwasher to the sink or garbage disposal.

This method is handy when the dishwasher’s draining slower than you’d like and you want to speed up the process. Getting rid of even a little clogging can help the draining.

FAQs

Why is my Kenmore dishwasher not draining?

If your Kenmore dishwasher won’t drain, it’s usually due to clogs in the drain hose or filter, a malfunctioning drain pump, or a blocked air gap or garbage disposal.

How to test Kenmore dishwasher drain pump?

Testing your Kenmore dishwasher’s drain pump is simple. Disconnect power and access the pump at the dishwasher’s base. Unplug the wiring and use a multimeter to check for continuity – no continuity suggests a faulty pump.

Ensure the pump’s impeller turns smoothly. If it’s stuck or hard to turn, that also may be a sign that the pump needs replacing.

Where is the reset button on a Kenmore dishwasher?

There’s no dedicated reset button on most Kenmore dishwashers.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it – a simple guide on how to drain your Kenmore dishwasher.  

You know how to make your dishwasher get rid of that watery mess even when it fails to cooperate. 

With the dishwasher running smoothly now, I hope your kitchen is finally dry, and your dishes are sparkling clean once more.