Dishwasher pump running constantly: what our engineers find
These figures come from NAC's own repair records: 109 dishwasher jobs our engineers attended for this fault. Here is what they found, what fixed it and what it typically cost.
When a dishwasher's pump keeps running, it is usually because water has collected in the base of the machine. That sets off the built-in flood protection, which keeps the pump draining to stop an overflow. Engineers sometimes find a worn seal letting water escape, perhaps on the chamber at the side of the machine, around the salt container, or where the pump motor meets the bowl at the bottom. Sometimes a blockage in that side chamber, or in the small passage the machine uses to sense its water level, makes it overfill. Now and then the flood safety switch itself sticks on when nothing is wrong.
An engineer will usually check the base for water, clear it out and clean any blocked chambers or debris. They then run the dishwasher through test cycles, watching closely for leaks as it fills, heats and drains. Sometimes clearing the water and blockages is all it needs.
Where a worn seal, a blocked chamber or a faulty switch is found, the engineer replaces it and tests the machine again. The part often has to be ordered and fitted at a second visit.
Written by our engineers from these jobs.
- Jobs attended
- 109
- Confirmed repairs
- 61
- This is not a success rate. Jobs inside their 60-day window, jobs still being classified, jobs held for review and visits that didn't end in a repair aren't counted.
- Fixed at the first appointment
- 41%
- about 2 in 5 of our repairs
- Typical total paid by customers
- £108 to £170
- including parts and VAT, from 58 repairs
No single cause has enough confirmed repairs behind it yet to show for this fault.
Error codes we see with this fault
- LG AE: Anti-flood protection: leak or water in the base.
- Miele F70: Anti-flood protection activated: water detected in the base.
- Neff E15: Anti-flood protection activated: water detected in the base.
- Neff E24: Drain fault: drain blocked or pump not working.
- Bosch E15: Anti-flood protection activated: water detected in the base.
About the price. £108 to £170 is the typical total paid by customers, including parts and VAT: the middle half of what customers paid on 58 of these repairs. Repairs paid for by manufacturers and insurers aren't counted, because that work is charged at contract rates. It's a guide, not a quote. Your engineer confirms a fixed price before any work starts.
Before you check anything yourself
- Switch the dishwasher off and unplug it, or turn it off at the isolator switch, before you touch anything. Our guide to safely isolating an appliance walks you through it.
- If it involves the mains supply, sealed parts, or you're not confident at any point, stop and book a qualified engineer rather than risk injury or further damage.
Rather leave it to us?
- Fixed-price quote before any work starts
- Same or next-day visits where available
- UK-wide engineer coverage