How to Replace a Dishwasher Drain Pump

There are a few possible causes for your dishwasher not to be draining water properly, including the filter needing to be unblocked or replaced. However, if you've ruled out all other potential issues, the problem will lie with your dishwasher drain pump. When this part breaks or stops doing its job, you'll need to replace it to get your appliance working and draining properly again. Read on to learn how to replace a dishwasher drain pump for yourself.

Make sure your appliance is switched off and disconnected from the mains before starting any repairs or replacements. You should also disconnect the water supply hose from both the water supply and the dishwasher, as this will help stop the appliance from becoming damaged when you move it around during this replacement.

Let's get stuck in! To learn how to replace your dishwasher drain pump, either watch the video or follow our step by step guide below.

• Drain pump
• A crosshead and a flat head screwdriver

Before starting the repair, you will need to make sure you have the correct replacement drain pump for your dishwasher make and model. A dishwasher model number is usually found on a sticker or data plate behind the door or around the frame. If it isn't here, it may be near the base of the dishwasher on a 'kick strip' under the door at the front, or on the back or sides of the appliance. The model number will be a combination of letters and numbers and could also include characters such as a dash (-) or a slash (/). For further help, head over to our page on finding the model number for your dishwasher.

Please note that the dishwasher we are using for this guide is a Gorenje GV62110. However, the drain pump replacement process should generally be the same for most types of dishwashers.

To access the drain pump, you need to get to the base plate. This is at the bottom of the dishwasher, so begin by turning the dishwasher onto its back. As dishwashers can be quite heavy, you may need an extra pair of hands to help you with this step.

To remove the base plate, unscrew the four screws that can be found on each corner of the bottom of the dishwasher. For your particular dishwasher, you may also need to unscrew the legs in order to remove the base plate. If you're unsure, you should refer to your user manual. If you can't find or have misplaced your manual, don't worry. We can help you find it with our online user manual finder.

Once you've removed the screws, and possibly the legs, you should be able to lift the base plate away from the dishwasher. The base plate can have sharp edges, so be careful with your hands whilst you do this.

Practically all dishwashers have an anti-flood sensor on the inside of the base plate. This will be both screwed on and attached with electrical connections, and you will need to disconnect it to be able to fully remove the base plate. To do this, you can either unscrew the sensor or disconnect the electrical connections. If you decide to disconnect the electrical connections, we recommend taking a photo beforehand so you can reattach them correctly later on. With the anti-flood sensor disconnected, you can go ahead and remove the base plate entirely.

With the base plate removed, you will be able to see the drain pump.

Before going any further with the replacement, check your replacement drain pump and make sure it has come with a new seal too. This is a loose, thin rubber ring on the end of the part. If the replacement drain pump doesn't have a seal, you'll need to take the seal off the old pump and transfer it to the new one.

Unscrew the two screws holding the drain pump in place on either side.

Then disconnect the electrical connections from the terminals before twisting the pump off the lugs and moving it aside.

To refit the new drain pump, simply screw it back into place with the two screws you just removed and reconnect the electrical connections.

Finally, you can screw the base plate back onto the dishwasher. Don't forget to also re-attach the anti-flood sensor before securing the base plate, referring to the photo you took of the connections earlier for guidance. Once the sensor and base plate have been refitted, you can return the dishwasher to its upright position.

And there you have it - how to replace the drain pump in your dishwasher! Your appliance should now be working and draining properly again.

Along with replacing any faulty or broken parts, a dishwasher should be regularly cleaned to keep it in top shape and working efficiently. Check out our article on how to clean your dishwasher so you can give your appliance the TLC it needs and deserves.

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