Troubleshooting guide
Frigidaire Dishwasher Not Draining
Water left in a Frigidaire dishwasher usually comes from clogged filters, a kinked drain hose, a full disposer or a disposer knockout plug that was never removed. Also close the door within 2 seconds after pressing Cancel. If those are fine, the drain pump needs testing.
$75 service call, applied toward the approved repair
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Water is left in the bottom of the tub after the cycle. Here is what Frigidaire's own service documentation says about it — what's normal, what you can safely check, and what technicians usually find.
Check this first: it may be normal
- If you press Cancel, close the door within 2 seconds. Otherwise listed dishwashers go to standby instead of draining, which is a common cause of unnecessary service calls.
Things you can safely check
- Press Cancel and close the door within 2 seconds to let it drain.
- Run the garbage disposer to empty it. If it was just installed, make sure its knockout plug was removed.
- Check and clean both filters and the sump area per the owner's guide.
- Check under the sink that the drain hose isn't kinked.
If the problem is still there after these checks, further diagnosis usually needs access to internal parts. If it still doesn't drain, a technician reads the stored codes and tests the pump, the non-return valve and the hose path.
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$75 service call, applied toward the repair. You get the price before any work starts.
What may be causing it
Several different failures can produce this symptom. These are the causes Frigidaire documentation and service bulletins point to, roughly from most to least common. Price ranges are typical totals in the Las Vegas Valley, including parts and labor.
Clogged filters or sump
The owner's guide explains i20 as clogged filters or a restricted drain line, and the service manual lists a dirty drain filter among drain-alarm causes.
Disposer knockout plug not removed
A new disposer's knockout plug must be removed for the dishwasher to drain.
Kinked or clogged drain hose
The owner's guide says to check for a kinked drain hose.
Disposer full
The disposer must be empty for the dishwasher to drain into it.
Drain pump
Drain alarms point to the pump, the non-return valve or a blockage. A technician tests which one.
Typical repair: drain pump — $180–$280
Clues that narrow it down
- Yes, newly installed disposer — points toward: disposer knockout plug not removed.
- Yes — points toward: disposer full.
- No — points toward: clogged filters or sump; kinked or clogged drain hose.
- Yes — points toward: drain pump; clogged filters or sump.
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Error codes linked to this problem
These codes appear on specific Frigidaire control platforms. The same code can mean something else on another model, so check your appliance type and model.
- i20 — Draining problem — water not drained within the time limit (about 90 seconds). (Frigidaire, Gallery and Professional dishwashers that show 'i' codes (i10, i20, i30…))
- i50 — Motor problem family (wash or drain pump); older units show only the family code. (Frigidaire, Gallery and Professional dishwashers that show 'i' codes (i10, i20, i30…))
- i5C — Drain pump abnormal high current. (Frigidaire, Gallery and Professional dishwashers that show 'i' codes (i10, i20, i30…))
- i5d — Drain pump over current. (Frigidaire, Gallery and Professional dishwashers that show 'i' codes (i10, i20, i30…))
- i5E — Drain pump will not turn — impeller blocked or pump defective. (Frigidaire, Gallery and Professional dishwashers that show 'i' codes (i10, i20, i30…))
- i5F — Drain pump not connected (wiring, pump or board). (Frigidaire, Gallery and Professional dishwashers that show 'i' codes (i10, i20, i30…))
What Frigidaire service bulletins say
Frigidaire publishes technical bulletins for technicians when a problem is common on certain models or serial ranges. These apply to the models they list:
- Cancel and Drain does not work / water left in the tub. On listed dishwashers, after pressing Cancel the door must be closed within 2 seconds; if it stays open longer the unit goes to standby instead of draining and water stays in the tub — a common cause of unnecessary service calls. What you can do: Press Cancel and close the door within 2 seconds so the dishwasher drains. (Frigidaire service bulletin DWTT2616)
When to call a technician
Frigidaire appliances can use different components and diagnostic logic depending on the model and control platform. Since several different failures can produce the same symptom, the safest next step is to have the appliance professionally diagnosed.
Further testing requires access to energized electrical components and should be performed by a qualified technician.
We service Frigidaire appliances across Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson and Boulder City. The $75 service call is applied toward the repair you approve, and you get the price before any work starts. Frigidaire dishwasher repair.
Online troubleshooting is intended for preliminary guidance only. Appliance symptoms and error codes can have multiple causes depending on the model. Stop troubleshooting if you encounter exposed wiring, gas, refrigerant, overheating, burning smells, or other unsafe conditions.