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Priya
Seattle, WA · March 18, 2026
Plumbing

After my dishwasher finishes a cycle there is standing water at the bottom, about 2 inches deep. The dishes are not getting clean either. What is wrong?

Ryan Giles
Ryan Giles
Red Seal Certified Plumber · 8 years experience
✓ Verified Expert

Standing water in the bottom of the dishwasher after a cycle means the water is not draining properly. The most common causes: 1) Clogged filter or food trap. Most dishwashers have a removable filter at the bottom. Pull it out, clean it under running water, and reinstall. This fixes about 40 percent of drainage issues. 2) Clogged drain hose connecting dishwasher to sink drain or garbage disposal. Disconnect and clear it. 3) Garbage disposal knockout plug. If you recently installed a new disposal, the knockout plug inside may not have been removed. 4) Clogged air gap or missing high loop. Check the air gap on your sink or ensure the drain hose has a high loop under the counter. Start with the filter since it is the easiest and most frequent cause.

👍 63 people found this helpful·Answered March 18, 2026
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