Built-in dishwasher with the door open and racks pulled out
Generic photo: Castorly Stock · Pexels License

Dishwasher drains while it fills (water won't stay in the tub)

If water leaves the tub with the drain pump off, it is siphoning out through the drain hose. The usual cause is an installation fault: no high loop or air gap, the hose run below the tub water line, or the hose pushed too far into a drain. On older models with a drain solenoid or flapper, a solenoid stuck in the drain position does the same thing with the pump running.

Cross-checked ~30 min easyBrands: All

Before you start

  • Turn off the breaker before removing the toe panel

Diagnostic steps

Unlock all 4 steps with expected values

Full library + AI assistant + the OnCall Tech app for iPhone & Android. $34.90, one time.

Get lifetime access

OnCall Tech is a reference tool for trained technicians and can make mistakes. Always disconnect power and confirm with the manufacturer's documentation before you work.

More dishwashers guides

Guide · Dishwasher

Whirlpool family dishwashers: reading Clean-light flash codes, F#E# displays and the diagnostic cycle

Models with a display show the code as F#E#. Lights-only models blink one LED in two groups: the first group is the F (function) number, a short pause, then the E (error) number, then a long pause before it repeats. A diagnostic cycle on many of these controls is entered by pressing any three keys in a 1-2-3 order three times quickly, which lights all indicators and lets you run the cycle to watch each function.

8 steps ~20 mineasy
Guide · Dishwasher

GE appliances: reading and recalling fault codes on dishwashers and laundry

GE dishwashers with electronic controls show codes on the display (C1, H2O, PF and similar) or flash the Start/Reset light in counted groups on LED-only models. GE itself splits codes into ones the user can clear (delay, detergent cup, power failure, kinked hose) and ones that need service. GE laundry generations differ a lot: older top-loaders flash LEDs, front-loaders keep a stored-code list inside a test mode. Entry sequences vary between GE models and the sources disagree, so take them only from the model's tech sheet.

7 steps ~20 mineasy
Guide · Dishwasher

Frigidaire / Electrolux: diagnostic mode, last-fault recall and relay-test codes that are not faults

Newer Frigidaire/Electrolux dishwashers show i-codes (i10, i20, i50 and similar) and two-letter codes; during the relay test inside diagnostic mode they also show short codes that only confirm the test is running and are not faults. Front-load washers keep a last-code readout you reach with a button pair or knob position. Refrigerators lose the fault code when the plug is pulled. Entry sequences differ by model and the sources conflict, so get them from the service data sheet on the unit.

6 steps ~20 mineasy
Dishwasher drains while it fills (water won't stay in the tub) · OnCall Tech