Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher Not Draining: DishDrawer and DW60 Checks

Use only checks that match the exact appliance or system and its official guide.

1. Check 1

   Read the complete model number and identify the architecture before touching the water: a single or double DishDrawer with independent drawers, or a traditional DW60 dishwasher with one tub. Note whether water is only in a filter recess or covers the drawer/tub, whether one drawer or both are affected, when the water remains, and any exact A3, A20, F-code, beeps, or flashing indicators.

   Expected result: There is only a small amount in a DishDrawer filter area, one drawer has standing water, both drawers have standing water, a traditional DW60 tub remains full, or a model-specific drain code is displayed.

   Next step: Use the matching DishDrawer or DW60 path below and keep a photo or written record of the indicators. If water is leaking toward electrical parts or the appliance is unsafe to approach, stop and isolate it only from a dry, safe location before calling service.

   Stop if: Do not open a running drawer, reach into hot water, repeatedly restart a flooded appliance, or use a fault-code reset from another Fisher & Paykel model.

   Why this matters

   Why: A small filter-area residue on an applicable DishDrawer is not the same as a failed drain. One-drawer symptoms keep that drawer's filter, motor assembly, hose, or connection in view; both drawers or a traditional tub require the matching shared plumbing and model guide. A3 and A20 are not universal codes and must be tied to the exact family.

2. Check 2

   For a DishDrawer only, switch it off, disconnect the power, and allow the filter plate to cool. Remove the rack as the exact guide permits, then remove the drain filter and filter plate from the affected drawer. Rinse food particles from them, check the recess for visible debris, and refit the filter plate, drain filter, and spray arm exactly as shown; the filter arrows must align and the spray arm must turn freely.

   Expected result: Food or foreign material blocks the drain filter or plate, a filter is not seated or aligned, the recess is clear and the drawer still holds water, or the filter plate is hot/damaged.

   Next step: Refit only the parts the exact guide identifies and continue to the visible hose and waste-connection check. If the plate, filter, or recess is damaged, inaccessible, or still hot, leave the drawer out of service and arrange service.

   Stop if: Do not remove the motor assembly or impeller, run the drawer with the filter plate, drain filter, spray arm, or enclosure panels missing, or use sharp tools to clear the recess.

   Why this matters

   Why: A blocked or incorrectly refitted DishDrawer filter path can restrict drainage. A clear, correctly seated path that still leaves standing water does not prove that the motor assembly or pump is defective; it moves the next check to the external hose/connection or service boundary.

3. Check 3

   With the appliance off and the area dry, inspect only the visible DishDrawer drain hose route and its waste connection under the sink or cabinet. Look for a kink, sag, crushing, blockage at the connection, or a drain hose that was installed without the model's required high loop. On a double DishDrawer, identify which hose belongs to the affected drawer; do not pull the appliance out or disconnect a water-filled connection.

   Expected result: The hose is kinked or sagging, the waste connection is visibly blocked, the high-loop/connection does not match the installation guide, or the visible route is clear.

   Next step: Correct only a plainly accessible hose bend or loose external routing according to the exact installation guide, then stop and arrange service if the connection is blocked, concealed, leaking, or the fault returns. Do not disconnect a hose to test flow.

   Stop if: Do not dismantle the sink trap, remove cabinetry, pour chemicals into the dishwasher, run an open-hose test, or work on plumbing with standing water near electrical parts.

   Why this matters

   Why: Fisher & Paykel identifies the drainage hose and drainage-pipe connection as the primary causes of an A3 DishDrawer fault, while the installation guide says the hose must not sag and gives a model-specific high-loop requirement. A clear visible route with persistent water leaves a concealed blockage, pump, motor assembly, or control fault possible.

4. Check 4

   For a traditional DW60 model, use its own user guide: with power and water safely isolated for maintenance, check and clean the user-accessible filters, then inspect the visible drain hose and drain connection for a crimp, bend, or blockage. If the exact model displays A20, match the guide's drain-fault procedure; do not substitute DishDrawer A3 steps.

   Expected result: The filter is blocked, the hose or connection is restricted, the exact DW60 guide reports A20, the water is accompanied by excessive foam, or the accessible path is clear.

   Next step: Clean or correct only the accessible condition permitted by the exact DW60 guide. If foam persists, use only the detergent guidance for that model and do not run further cycles while water remains. If the path is clear or A20 returns, contact Fisher & Paykel service.

   Stop if: Do not remove the drain pump, turbidity sensor, internal hoses, or wiring; do not perform live tests; and do not keep running cycles to force a drain.

   Why this matters

   Why: The DW60 guide treats filters, hose/connection, foaming, and a jammed pump as separate possibilities. A20 on applicable DW60 models supports a drain-path investigation, but it does not identify which part failed. Foam can prevent normal draining without being a pump diagnosis.

5. Check 5

   After one exact-model filter and visible hose/connection check, record whether the water cleared, which drawer or tub remains affected, and whether the code or indicator returned. Check from outside for water under the unit, an unusual pump sound, repeated beeping, or a drawer that cannot close; do not open the appliance to identify the pump.

   Expected result: Drainage returns to normal, only a normal DishDrawer filter-area residue remains, the same drawer/tub remains full, A3/A20 or another fault returns, the pump is jammed/silent, or water is leaking toward electrical parts.

   Next step: Stop using the affected drawer or dishwasher, turn off the water supply and disconnect power only from a safe dry location when the exact guide directs it, and contact Fisher & Paykel or a qualified appliance technician with the model, drawer, code, and observations.

   Stop if: Do not restart to reproduce the fault, bypass flood protection, remove panels, access the pump or motor, or perform energized electrical or plumbing tests.

   Why this matters

   Why: A stable result after a model-approved accessible correction supports a local restriction or setup issue. Persistent standing water, a returning drain code, a jammed pump, or leakage makes an internal pump/motor, concealed hose, flood protection, control, or plumbing fault more likely and cannot be safely isolated by the user checks.