Samsung Dishwasher Won’t Stop Draining? Here’s How to Fix It

If your Samsung dishwasher keeps trying to drain and won’t start a cycle, you’re dealing with a common issue. Many Samsung dishwashers, especially models like the DW80F600, have a built-in safety feature that causes the drain pump to run continuously when the system detects a problem… whether it’s a leak, clogged drain, faulty sensor, or even an electrical issue.

The good news? In most cases, you don’t need to call a repair technician. With a little troubleshooting, you can figure out what’s wrong and get your dishwasher back in working order.

Symptoms of the Problem

Your Samsung dishwasher may be stuck draining if:

✔️ The Heavy light is blinking on the control panel
✔️ The drain pump runs continuously, even when there’s no water left inside
✔️ Resetting the breaker doesn’t fix the issue
✔️ You hear a strange noise before the problem starts
✔️ Water drains normally when manually poured inside

If this sounds like what’s happening, let’s go through the possible causes and how to fix them.

1. Water Leak in the Base Pan (Most Common Issue)

Samsung dishwashers have a flood sensor at the bottom. If even a small amount of water (just an ounce or two) collects in the base pan, the sensor will trigger an emergency drain mode, causing the dishwasher to keep pumping water out—even if the tub is empty.

How to Fix It:

1. Turn off power to the dishwasher at the breaker.
2. Turn off the water supply to avoid leaks while troubleshooting.
3. Carefully pull the dishwasher out from under the counter. Be mindful of hoses and electrical cords.
4. Remove the lower front panel to access the base pan.
5. Check for water in the pan. If you see any, dry it completely using towels or a hairdryer.
6. Once dry, restore power and check for leaks while running a short cycle.

If the dishwasher starts working after drying the base, it means you had a small leak somewhere. The next step is finding where the water came from to prevent it from happening again.

2. Leaking Wash Motor or Sump Seal

One of the most common leak sources in Samsung dishwashers is a worn-out sump assembly seal. Over time, the rubber seal shrinks and cracks, allowing small amounts of water to escape—especially during the hot rinse cycle, when the pump housing expands.

How to Fix It:

• If drying the base only fixes the issue temporarily, your sump assembly likely needs to be replaced.
• Check the sump area for signs of water stains, corrosion, or residue buildup.
• If you suspect a leak from the motor seal, replacing the sump assembly is the best long-term fix.

3. Stuck or Broken Check Valve

The check valve (a small rubber flap inside the drain pump) prevents dirty water from flowing back into the dishwasher. If it gets stuck, broken, or dislodged, the dishwasher may falsely detect a drainage issue and keep trying to pump out water.

How to Fix It:

1. Locate the drain pump assembly inside the dishwasher.
2. Remove and inspect the check valve. If it looks damaged or stiff, replace it.
3. Make sure the valve moves freely when water passes through.

Some users report that a broken check valve alone was enough to keep their dishwasher stuck in drain mode.

4. Clogged or Blocked Drain Hose

Even if your dishwasher appears to drain fine, a partial clog in the drain hose can confuse the sensors and cause the unit to keep running the drain pump.

How to Fix It:

1. Disconnect the drain hose from the garbage disposal or sink drain.
2. Inspect for kinks or clogs.
3. Use a small drain snake or wire to clear out any debris.
4. Flush the hose with hot water to break down any built-up grease or soap residue.

This simple fix has worked for many users who had dishwashers stuck in drain mode.

5. Malfunctioning Flood Sensor

If your dishwasher still won’t stop draining even after drying out the base pan, you might have a faulty flood sensor. Over time, sensors can get dirty, corroded, or stuck in the “flooded” position, making the dishwasher think there’s still water in the pan.

How to Fix It:

• Locate the flood sensor (usually attached to the base near the drain pump).
• Clean it with vinegar to remove mineral buildup.
• If cleaning doesn’t work, you may need to replace the sensor.

6. Faulty Control Board or Stuck Relay

In rare cases, a control board issue can cause the drain pump to stay on even when there’s no water to drain. This usually happens due to a stuck relay, preventing the control board from telling the drain pump to turn off.

How to Fix It:

1. Try a hard reset by turning off power at the breaker for 10 minutes.
2. If the problem persists, you may need to replace the main control board.

This is one of the less common causes, but if you’ve ruled out leaks, sensor issues, and drain blockages, it’s worth considering.

Final Thoughts

If your Samsung dishwasher is stuck draining, try these steps:

✔️ Check for water in the base pan and dry it completely
✔️ Inspect the sump and motor area for leaks
✔️ Make sure the check valve isn’t stuck or broken
✔️ Clear the drain hose and ensure it’s free from obstructions
✔️ Clean the flood sensor or replace it if necessary
✔️ Perform a hard reset if nothing else works

In most cases, the issue is caused by a small leak that triggers the flood sensor, and simply drying the base pan is enough to get your dishwasher working again. However, if the problem keeps happening, you’ll need to find the source of the leak—whether it’s a worn-out sump seal, a clogged drain, or a faulty sensor—and fix it permanently.

Let us know if you’ve experienced this issue and what worked for you!