Dishwasher Not Draining? 5 Fixes Before Calling a Repair Service
Standing water in the bottom of your dishwasher usually comes from a clogged filter, a blocked sink drain or disposal, a kinked hose, or a jammed drain pump. Here is how to get it draining again, in order from easiest to hardest.
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The Short Answer
A dishwasher that will not drain is usually blocked somewhere between the filter and your sink drain. Turn off power at the breaker, scoop out the standing water, and clean the filter at the bottom of the tub. Then run the garbage disposal, check that the sink drains well, and look for a kinked drain hose or a clogged air gap. If the pump hums but water does not move, something may be jammed in the pump.
Do not pour drain-cleaning chemicals into the dishwasher. Whirlpool specifically warns against it.
Before You Start: Safety and Removing the Water
- Turn off power at the breaker or unplug the dishwasher. Turning it off at the control panel is not enough before you reach into the sump.
- Turn off the water supply to the dishwasher, usually a valve under the sink.
- Lay towels down and remove the bottom rack.
- Scoop out the water with a cup, then soak up the rest with a sponge or towel.
- Watch for broken glass in the sump. Wear gloves.
Fix 1: Clean the Filter
Most modern dishwashers have a manual filter in the bottom of the tub, usually a cylinder that twists out plus a flat mesh screen. Twist it out (check your manual for the direction), rinse it under warm running water, and scrub gently with a soft brush. Wipe out any food, labels, or seeds in the sump under it, then lock the filter back in place. A clogged filter is one of the most common reasons for standing water, and manufacturers recommend cleaning it regularly. Our guide on how to clean a dishwasher covers the rest of the machine.
Fix 2: Check the Sink Drain and Garbage Disposal
Most dishwashers drain into the garbage disposal or the sink drain. If the sink is slow, the dishwasher cannot drain either.
- Run the disposal with cold water for a short time to clear it.
- If the sink itself is slow or backed up, clear that clog first. See how to unclog a drain.
- New disposal? A brand new disposal has a knockout plug inside its dishwasher inlet. If nobody knocked it out during installation, the dishwasher cannot drain at all. With power off, the plug is removed with a screwdriver and hammer through the inlet, and the loose piece is fished out of the disposal.
- If the disposal hums but will not spin, see garbage disposal jammed and humming.
Fix 3: Check the Drain Hose, High Loop, and Air Gap
The drain hose runs from the dishwasher, under the sink cabinet, to the disposal or drain. Look for kinks, especially if the dishwasher was recently pushed back in or something heavy is stored under the sink.
- High loop: without an air gap, the hose should rise up high under the countertop before dropping to the drain. This keeps dirty sink water from flowing back into the dishwasher.
- Air gap: if you have a small cap on the countertop next to the faucet, pull off the cover and clean out any debris. A blocked air gap often shows up as water spilling out of it.
- Clogged hose: with power and water off, you can disconnect the hose at the disposal or drain (have a bucket ready) and flush it with water to check it is clear.
Fix 4: Check the Drain Pump and Check Valve
The drain pump pushes water out. Listen when the dishwasher should be draining:
| What you hear | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Humming, but no water moves | The pump impeller is jammed, often by glass, a bone, or a seed |
| Grinding or rattling | Hard debris in the pump area |
| No pump sound at all | A failed pump, a wiring or control problem, or the cycle is not reaching the drain step |
On many models you can reach the pump cover by removing the filter. With power off, check for debris. Some Bosch models have a pump cover in the sump that can be removed for cleaning; follow the manual. Many dishwashers also have a one-way check valve near the pump or drain hose that can stick. Replacing a pump is a moderate repair, so if you are not comfortable working with appliance wiring, this is the point to call a technician.
Fix 5: Reset and Run a Drain
After cleaning, restore water and power. Many dishwashers will drain if you cancel or reset the cycle, but the button sequence differs by brand and model, so check your manual or the maker's support page. Run a short rinse cycle with the sink empty and watch whether the water clears. If the dishwasher shows an error code, look it up:
- Bosch E24: drain fault, often a blocked filter, kinked hose, or disposal connection problem.
- Bosch E25: drain pump blocked or its cover loose.
- Samsung 5C or 5E: drainage problem such as a clogged filter, kinked hose, or pump debris.
- Other brands: search the code on the maker's support site with your model number.
Why Did My Dishwasher Stop Draining?
- Food, labels, or glass in the filter or sump
- A slow sink drain or a full garbage disposal
- A new disposal with the knockout plug still in
- A kinked or clogged drain hose, or a clogged air gap
- A jammed or failed drain pump, or a stuck check valve
- Too many suds from using regular dish soap instead of dishwasher detergent
When to Call a Repair Technician or Plumber
Call a pro if the pump is silent or keeps jamming, the dishwasher leaks onto the floor, you smell burning, the breaker trips, or water backs up into the sink and other drains too. A clog that affects several drains is a plumbing problem, not a dishwasher problem. See is this a plumbing emergency? If you are not sure which it is, ask on our plumbing help page for $1 and describe what you see.
Pro Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my dishwasher not draining?
The most common causes are a clogged filter, a blocked sink drain or garbage disposal, a new disposal with the knockout plug still in place, a kinked or clogged drain hose or air gap, and a jammed or failed drain pump.
How do I get my dishwasher to drain?
Turn off power at the breaker, scoop out the water, and clean the filter. Run the garbage disposal and make sure the sink drains. Check the drain hose for kinks and clean the air gap. Then restore power and cancel or reset the cycle so the dishwasher drains, following your manual.
Is it normal to have water in the bottom of the dishwasher?
Standing water that covers the bottom of the tub after a cycle is not normal and means a drain problem. Whirlpool, for example, treats it as a symptom to troubleshoot. A little moisture or a few drops in the sump can be normal.
Can I use drain cleaner in my dishwasher?
No. Chemical drain openers can damage dishwasher parts, and manufacturers like Whirlpool advise against using them. Clean the filter and check the hose, sink drain, and disposal instead.
Why is my dishwasher humming but not draining?
A hum with no water moving usually means the drain pump impeller is jammed by debris such as broken glass or a seed. Turn off power, remove the filter, and check the pump area. If it is clear and still hums, the pump may have failed.
Does a dishwasher drain into the garbage disposal?
In many kitchens it does. That is why a full or jammed disposal, or a new disposal with the knockout plug still in, can stop the dishwasher from draining.
