What could prevent a dishwasher from draining properly?

The timer in a dishwasher plays a crucial role in regulating the different cycles of operation, including the draining cycle. If the timer is faulty, it may not send the correct signals to activate the drain pump at the appropriate time, preventing the dishwasher from draining properly. A malfunctioning timer could lead to incomplete cycles, leaving water pooled at the bottom of the appliance.

To better understand why the other possibilities do not primarily cause draining issues:

• While a damaged heating element can affect the washing and drying cycles, it does not directly impact the drainage function.

• The door not closing securely could lead to water leakage or interruptions in cycle progress, but it would not prevent water from draining if the cycles are progressing correctly.

• An interrupted power supply could halt the operation of the dishwasher, including draining. However, this is a more general problem affecting all functions rather than a specific issue with draining. If the machine has power, but the timer fails to activate the drain pump, that presents a targeted problem for proper drainage.

Thus, the timer's role is critical in the context of initiating the drainage process, making a faulty timer a plausible reason for a dishwasher not draining properly.