{"id":3538,"date":"2023-08-18T13:47:12","date_gmt":"2023-08-18T20:47:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.appliancepartspros.com\/b\/?p=3538"},"modified":"2026-07-14T08:05:50","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T15:05:50","slug":"how-to-replace-a-dishwasher-circulation-pump-and-motor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.appliancepartspros.com\/b\/how-to-replace-a-dishwasher-circulation-pump-and-motor\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Replace A Dishwasher Circulation Pump and Motor"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Discover how to replace the W11612326 circulation pump and motor in your dishwasher with our guide. Boost your appliance’s efficiency today!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3540,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_aviaLayoutBuilderCleanData":"[av_textblock size='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' font_color='' color='' id='' custom_class='' av_uid='av-mdezkbzg' admin_preview_bg='']\r\nIs your dishwasher leaving dishes dirty and cycles endlessly long? Your home's circulation pump and motor could be the hidden culprits. Don't worry, though\u2014a quick DIY fix is within reach! Watch our step-by-step video guide just below to learn how to efficiently replace these essential components and restore your dishwasher's powerful cleaning performance.<\/span>\r\n[\/av_textblock]\r\n\r\n[av_hr class='default' icon_select='yes' icon='ue808' position='center' shadow='no-shadow' height='50' custom_border='av-border-thin' custom_width='50px' custom_margin_top='30px' custom_margin_bottom='30px' custom_border_color='' custom_icon_color='' av-desktop-hide='' av-medium-hide='' av-small-hide='' av-mini-hide='' id='' custom_class='' av_uid='av-6w2z2q']\r\n\r\n[av_video src='https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=xxUGnaqcce8' mobile_image='' attachment='' attachment_size='' format='16-9' width='16' height='9' conditional_play='' id='' custom_class='' av_uid='av-mdezkngg']\r\n\r\n[av_hr class='default' icon_select='yes' icon='ue808' position='center' shadow='no-shadow' height='50' custom_border='av-border-thin' custom_width='50px' custom_margin_top='30px' custom_margin_bottom='30px' custom_border_color='' custom_icon_color='' av-desktop-hide='' av-medium-hide='' av-small-hide='' av-mini-hide='' id='' custom_class='' av_uid='av-5n3obm']\r\n\r\n[av_textblock size='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' font_color='' color='' id='' custom_class='' av_uid='av-mdezg6lv' admin_preview_bg='']\r\n

The circulation pump and motor work together to continuously cycle water through the dishwasher during wash cycles. Over hundreds of cycles, normal wear can diminish their performance. Eventually, these key components may fail, preventing proper water movement needed to clean dishes. With some basic tools and following safety steps, homeowners can easily replace the circulation pump and motor assembly themselves.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Full safety notes below<\/a><\/p>\n\n

Difference Between Circulation and Drain Pump<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nDishwashers contain two types of pumps that serve important but distinct roles in the wash cycle process. Understanding the differences between the circulation pump and drain pump helps explain how dishwashers clean dishes so effectively.\r\n

Circulation Pump<\/h3>\r\nThe circulation pump is responsible for spraying water throughout the tub during the wash and rinse cycles. It circulates water from the bottom of the tub up to the spray arms at the top, creating the washing action.\r\n\r\nThe circulation pump draws water in through an inlet opening and pushes it at pressure out the outlet, spinning the spray arms above. This water circulation provides the cleaning action to remove soils from dishes. The circulation pump operates throughout most of the program, shutting off during drains.\r\n

Drain Pump<\/h3>\r\nAs its name implies, the drain pump is used to pump out and drain the water from the tub after the wash and rinse cycles finish. The drain pump will activate briefly at the beginning of a cycle to remove any residual water from the previous load as well.\r\n\r\nThe drain pump pulls water from the bottom of the tub and pumps it through the drain hose, sending it out to the home plumbing system. It generates a higher pressure than the circulation pump for rapid water removal. The drain pump only runs at key intervals, unlike the near-constant operation of the circulation pump.\r\n

Why Replace the Circulation Pump and Motor?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n

A few symptoms indicate the dishwasher circulation pump and motor need replacing:<\/p>\r\n\r\n