The drain pump in a dishwasher forces water out of the tub and through the drain hose at the end of each wash and rinse cycle. When it fails, water remains standing in the bottom of the dishwasher after the cycle completes. You may hear the pump attempting to run — a humming sound — or hear nothing at all.
The most common failure mode is a blocked impeller: glass shards, food debris, or a small piece of broken dishware jams the impeller and prevents the pump from turning. Removing the blockage resolves the problem without replacing the pump. When the pump motor itself has burned out or seized, the pump assembly requires replacement.
Our technician removes the lower rack and spray arm, accesses the pump housing, clears any blockages, and tests the motor with a multimeter. Most dishwasher drain pump repairs complete in a single visit.