Dishwasher Brand Drain Guide: Find Your Brand’s Fix (2026)
Standing water at the bottom of your dishwasher is one of the most common appliance complaints we see — and nine times out of ten, it’s a clogged filter or a kinked drain hose, not a dead pump. But the fix varies by brand: Samsung owners look for error codes 5C or 5E, Bosch owners check for E24, and Whirlpool owners hit Cancel/Drain. This guide routes you to the right brand page so you spend time fixing the problem, not reading the wrong instructions.
This guide is for you if:
- You want to find your brand’s specific fix page fast
- You want to understand which brands share parts (Amana and Maytag both use the Whirlpool W10876537 pump)
- You want a quick overview before diving into a specific repair
This guide is NOT for you if:
- You already know the issue is a failed pump (go to Dishwasher Drain Pump Not Working? How to Test + Replace (2026))
- You want to compare drain cleaning methods (go to Why Is My Dishwasher Not Draining? Quick Fixes (2026))
Quick diagnostic decision tree
Before you pick a brand guide, run through these checks. Most drainage failures are one of four things:
- Clogged filter (takes 5 minutes to clean, no tools needed)
- Kinked or blocked drain hose (takes 10 minutes to inspect)
- Garbage disposal knockout plug (only relevant if disposal was recently installed; forgetting to punch out the plug is the number one cause of drainage failure in new installs)
- Pump failure (requires a multimeter test or listening for the pump running with no water exiting)
If your dishwasher drains during one cycle but not the next, start with the filter. If it has never drained properly since install, check the disposal knockout plug first. If the pump runs audibly but water stays in the tub, the drain hose or pump impeller is the culprit.
All categories at a glance
We organize brand guides by the Whirlpool Corporation family, European premium brands, and Korean brands. The grouping matters because brands in the same family use identical or cross-compatible parts.
Whirlpool Corporation family (Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Kenmore, Amana, Jenn-Air): These all share the W10876537 drain pump ($70.66 at most appliance retailers) and follow the same 5-step troubleshooting flow. Amana is the budget tier, Maytag mid-range, KitchenAid premium.
Samsung and LG (Korean brands): Both use error-code-driven diagnostics. Samsung owners will see 5C, 5E, OC, or OE; LG owners see OE. Both brands display codes before the drain cycle fully fails, which makes them easier to diagnose than brands with no display.
Bosch (German premium): Uses E24 for drain blockage. Bosch filters require more frequent cleaning (every 2-4 weeks with heavy use) because of the fine mesh design.
GE and Frigidaire (US brands): GE has two filter types (self-cleaning grinder vs. manual removable); Frigidaire tends to fail at the drain solenoid in addition to the common pump and hose issues.
Miele (German ultra-premium): F11 is the drain error code. Miele parts are proprietary and more expensive, so the DIY vs. call-a-tech decision is different here than it is for budget brands.
Haier (Chinese brand, sold via big-box retailers): Smaller US market share means fewer forums and KB sources, but the underlying drainage mechanics are identical to other brands. Filter and hose checks solve 80% of cases.
When to use which guide
| Brand | Common drain error | Filter type | Pump part number | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung | 5C, 5E, OC, OE | Manual removable | DD31-00005A | Samsung guide |
| Whirlpool | None (no display on most) | Manual removable | W10876537 | Whirlpool guide |
| Bosch | E24 | Manual removable | 00611316 | Bosch guide |
| GE | None | Self-cleaning or removable | WD26X10013 | GE guide |
| LG | OE | Manual removable | 5859EA1004F | LG guide |
| KitchenAid | None (shared with Whirlpool) | Manual removable | W10876537 | KitchenAid guide |
| Maytag | None (shared with Whirlpool) | Manual removable | W10876537 | Maytag guide |
| Frigidaire | None | Manual removable | 154474001 | Frigidaire guide |
| Kenmore | None (shared with Whirlpool) | Manual removable | W10876537 | Kenmore guide |
| Amana | None (shared with Whirlpool) | Manual removable | W10876537 | Amana guide |
| Haier | None | Manual removable | Brand-specific | Haier guide |
| Miele | F11 | Manual removable (micro-filter) | Brand-specific | Miele guide |
Start with the most common fix
Regardless of brand, start here. The filter fix takes 5 minutes and costs nothing. We’ve tracked hundreds of drainage complaints and the filter is responsible for more than 60% of cases where the owner hasn’t cleaned it in the last 30 days.
- Remove the lower rack and locate the filter assembly at the bottom center of the tub
- Twist the cylindrical filter counterclockwise 1/4 turn, then lift straight up
- Rinse under warm running water, scrubbing gently with a soft brush
- Soak for 10 minutes in hot water with a drop of dish soap if it’s heavily caked with grease
- Reinstall and run a short wash cycle to verify drainage
If the filter is clean and water still sits at the bottom, check the Dishwasher Drain Clogged? How to Unclog It (2026) guide for the next level of diagnosis covering the hose, disposal, and pump.
Frigidaire Dishwasher Not Draining? Fix Guide (2026) and Maytag Dishwasher Not Draining? Easy Fix Guide (2026) both cover similar filter-first diagnosis steps if you want brand-specific screenshots.
When to call a plumber
Most dishwasher drainage issues are appliance problems, not plumbing problems. Call an appliance technician (not a plumber) if:
- The pump runs but no water exits, and the hose is clear
- You see error codes that persist after completing all troubleshooting steps
- Water leaks from under the unit during the drain cycle
- The unit is under warranty (always call the manufacturer first)
Call a plumber if:
- The drain line under the sink is gurgling or backing up
- Other drains in the kitchen are slow (this points to a shared drain clog, not the dishwasher)
- The garbage disposal drain port is sealed or misaligned
Repair costs range from $100 to $300 for most drain-related fixes, per 2026 Fixr data. If the pump itself needs replacing, budget $150 to $400 all-in depending on brand. That’s still well below the $400-$700 cost of a new unit for anything under 10 years old.
LG Dishwasher Not Draining? Fix OE Error Code (2026) has a detailed cost breakdown for LG-specific repairs if your OE error persists after basic troubleshooting.
Ready to go deeper on drain cleaning? Start at How to Clean a Dishwasher Drain for the full maintenance sequence.
Frequently asked questions
Which dishwasher brands share the same drain pump?
Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Kenmore, Kenmore Elite, Amana, Jenn-Air, and select IKEA models all use the Whirlpool W10876537 drain pump ($70.66). This means a drain pump ordered for a Whirlpool often installs identically in an Amana or Maytag of the same generation.
How do I force my dishwasher to drain?
On Whirlpool-family brands (Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Amana), press and hold the Cancel or Cancel/Drain button for 3 to 5 seconds. On Samsung, press Start/Reset. On Bosch, hold the Start button for 3 seconds. This forces a drain-only cycle and confirms whether the pump is functional.
What causes standing water in a dishwasher after a cycle?
The four most common causes are a clogged filter (the most common), a kinked or blocked drain hose, a clogged garbage disposal or un-removed knockout plug, or a failed drain pump. A clogged filter accounts for the majority of cases in dishwashers that haven’t been serviced in several months.
Is it worth repairing a dishwasher that won’t drain?
For units under 10 years old, yes. A drain pump replacement runs $150 to $400 all-in, and a drain hose costs $50 to $100 to replace. A new dishwasher costs $400 to $700 plus $100 to $300 for installation. The break-even point is around 50% of replacement cost, which means repairs are usually worth it if the unit is in good condition otherwise.
Do all dishwasher brands have a manual-clean filter?
Most dishwashers made after 2010 use a manual-clean filter that requires monthly rinsing. Older GE models and some commercial-style units have self-cleaning filters with a grinder mechanism. Self-cleaning filters are louder but require no maintenance. Check your model’s documentation or look inside the tub: if you see a cylindrical basket you can twist out, it’s manual-clean.