Your Nordmende dishwasher is retaining water at the end of the cycle instead of draining away. Water may be visible in the tub or pooling at the bottom. This is one of the most common faults in this range and often has a straightforward cause.
Likely causes
Based on our repair records, the most frequent culprits are:
Drain pump failure (about 39% of cases) — the electric pump that forces water out may have stopped working or lost power.
Blocked drain pump inlet (about 14% of cases) — debris, small items of clothing, or a foreign object lodged inside the pump.
Clogged filter (about 6% of cases) — a blocked filter restricts water flow and prevents drainage.
Kinked or crushed drain hose — if the dishwasher has been pushed back against a wall, the outlet hose may be bent and blocking flow.
What you can try yourself (DIY)
Before calling an engineer, check these items:
Look inside the tub — open the door and remove the lower basket. Check for small objects (socks, utensils, fragments) caught near the drain area at the base.
Inspect the filter — locate the cylindrical filter cartridge at the bottom of the tub (consult your user manual for exact position). Rinse it under a tap to clear food debris and limescale. Reinstall and run a short cycle to test.
Check the drain hose — if you can safely access it behind or under the dishwasher, verify it is not kinked, twisted, or crushed. Straighten if needed.
Run a rinse cycle — after each check, run the appliance through a drain or rinse cycle to see if water clears.
Listen for pump noise — during a drain cycle, listen at the base of the machine. You should hear a faint whirring sound when the pump runs. Silence suggests pump failure.
If the filter was visibly clogged or you removed an obstruction and drainage now works, the fault is resolved. If water still sits in the tub after these checks, the pump or its electrical connections likely need attention.
Why this needs an engineer
If DIY checks don't restore drainage, the drain pump itself may have failed, its motor may be faulty, or the pump inlet may be blocked internally. Accessing and replacing the pump requires opening the cabinet and disconnecting plumbing and electrical connectors—work best left to a qualified technician. Occasionally, a blockage in the internal drain path or a fault in the control board prevents the pump from running at all; these also require professional diagnosis.
If you're in Northern Ireland, SMC Services can usually book a repair within 2–3 working days.
Step by step
Visual inspection of the tub. Open the door and remove the lower basket. Look at the base of the tub and around the drain area for socks, utensils, or fragments. Remove anything you find.
Clean or replace the filter. Locate the cylindrical filter at the bottom of the tub. Unscrew or unclip it (check your manual), rinse under running water to clear food and limescale, then reinstall firmly.
Check the drain hose. If accessible, inspect the hose that runs from the dishwasher to the sink or waste outlet. Straighten any kinks or twists and ensure it is not crushed or pinched.
Run a test cycle. Close the door and run a rinse or drain cycle. Listen for a faint whirring sound from the pump at the base. Observe whether water drains from the tub by the end of the cycle.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to run my dishwasher with water sitting in it?
Not long-term. Standing water can cause odours, mould growth, and water damage. Limit use until the fault is fixed. If water is actively leaking onto the floor or base, switch off the appliance and call for repair promptly.
Can I replace the drain pump myself?
Filter cleaning and hose checks are straightforward, but pump replacement involves electrical connections and internal plumbing. It's best handled by an engineer to avoid damage to other parts.
What if I hear a buzzing sound but water doesn't drain?
A buzzing noise usually means the pump motor is trying to run but the pump outlet is blocked. This could be a blockage inside the pump or a kinked hose. An engineer can identify and clear the obstruction.
How often should I clean the filter?
Rinse the filter every month or whenever you notice slow draining. If you regularly wash sandy or heavily soiled items, clean it more frequently to prevent buildup.
Can a small sock really block the drain?
Yes, small items can slip past the basket and lodge in the pump inlet or hose, restricting or stopping water flow. Always check pockets and use a wash bag for small items.
Get this fixed
The parts most often needed for this repair — order direct:
Prefer a pro? A local appliance engineer can carry out this repair. SMC's own repair service covers Northern Ireland only. The parts above ship UK-wide.
This page draws on 39 similar repairs
from across 29 years of SMC Services records — over
116,000+ appliance repairs in total since 1997. The
likely-cause percentages above are computed directly from the engineer reports we filed
for this brand and fault, and we update them as new repairs come in.