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Error code

KitchenAid dishwasher 8-1: draining: slow drain

8-1 means the dishwasher took longer than the control allows to pump out its water.

What 8-1 means

Brand
KitchenAid
Appliance
Dishwasher
Code
8-1
Documented meaning
Draining: slow drain
Applies to
185 KitchenAid models on 11 platforms
Can you keep using it?
With caution

What the dishwasher is detecting

During each drain the control expects the water to leave within a set time. When draining is slow, it records this code; the cause is often outside the pump.

Causes listed for this condition

In the order the service documentation checks them. Documented causes come from the manufacturer's service documentation for these platforms; possible causes are based on how the system works; unconfirmed marks common assumptions that the documentation does not support.

  1. Documented A blocked drain path anywhere from the sump to the house plumbing: a clogged disposer, a disposer knockout plug never removed, a stuck drain-loop check valve or plugged hoses.
  2. Documented Foreign objects such as glass, toothpicks or seeds, often from a filter not fully seated (named on newer platforms).
  3. Documented A damaged drain pump impeller.

Safe checks you can make

  • If your model has a removable filter in the bottom of the tub (the owner's manual shows how to twist it out), take it out, rinse it under the faucet and lock it fully back in place.
  • If the dishwasher drains into a garbage disposer, run the disposer for a few seconds before starting the dishwasher. If the disposer was just installed, tell the technician, because a new disposer can still have its drain inlet sealed.
  • If there is a small air-gap cap on the countertop beside the faucet, lift the cover off and clear any food debris inside it.
  • If the kitchen sink itself drains slowly or gurgles, the restriction may be in the house plumbing rather than in the dishwasher.

Further diagnosis requires opening the appliance. Beyond the owner checks, diagnosis involves removing panels, testing components and checking wiring. We describe what a technician investigates, not how to do it yourself.

What a technician checks

  • Checks the drain path from the sump through the hose and check valve to the plumbing.
  • Removes the drain pump to check the impeller and clear foreign objects.
  • Checks whether the filter is seating correctly.

Typical repairs and cost

Depending on what diagnosis finds, this code can lead to one of these repairs:

RepairTypical rangeLabor
Dishwasher drain pump replacement$180–$400Moderate

Typical total ranges for the Las Vegas area, parts and labor included. The final cost depends on diagnosis, the exact model, parts availability and whether other damage is found.

Can you keep using it?

Use with caution. You can keep using it if it still drains, but standing water and poor cleaning are likely. If water stays in the tub, stop and schedule service.

KitchenAid models documented with this code

And 169 more. Use the model lookup to check yours.

Other codes documented on the same KitchenAid platforms:

Repair or replace?

A fault code alone rarely justifies replacing a dishwasher. Most 8-1 repairs involve a single component once diagnosed. Replacement becomes worth considering when the unit is near the end of its typical 9–12-year life and the diagnosed repair is a major one. See the repair-or-replace guide.

Need 8-1 diagnosed in the Las Vegas area?

We repair Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir, Amana and other Whirlpool-family appliances in Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin and Boulder City. A model number helps but is never required to book.

Schedule Appliance Repair Call (725) 900-0963
Schedule Call (725) 900-0963