Dishwasher Not Draining
Standing water in your dishwasher after a cycle indicates a drainage problem that needs attention.
Common Symptoms
You may be experiencing one or more of these issues:
- Water standing in bottom after cycle
- Dishes not clean
- Bad smell from dishwasher
- Gurgling sounds during drain
- Error code displayed
- Water backing up into sink
Possible Causes
Clogged Filter
commonFood particles have clogged the dishwasher filter.
Blocked Drain Hose
commonThe hose that drains water from the dishwasher is kinked or clogged.
Garbage Disposal Blockage
commonIf connected to a disposal, a blockage there affects drainage.
Air Gap Clog
moderateThe air gap (if installed) is clogged with debris.
Drain Pump Failure
moderateThe pump that expels water has failed.
Knockout Plug Not Removed
moderateNew garbage disposal installations often leave the knockout plug in place.
DIY Troubleshooting Steps
- 1
Clean the Filter
Remove the bottom rack. Locate and remove the filter (usually twists or lifts out). Clean thoroughly under running water.
- 2
Check Garbage Disposal
If connected to disposal, run it with water to clear any blockage.
Never put hand in disposal. - 3
Inspect Drain Hose
Check under sink for kinks or obvious blockage in the drain hose.
- 4
Clean Air Gap
If you have an air gap on the counter, remove the cap and clean out any debris.
- 5
Run Disposal Side of Sink
Run water down the disposal side while it's running to ensure clear drainage.
- 6
Run a Rinse Cycle
After cleaning, run a short rinse cycle to test drainage.
When to Call a Professional
Contact a repair service if you experience any of these situations:
- Drainage doesn't improve after cleaning filter
- You can't locate or access the blockage
- Pump doesn't run during drain cycle
- Error codes persist
- Water is backing up into sink
- You smell burning or hear grinding from pump
Ready to schedule professional repair?
Prevention Tips
- Clean filter weekly with heavy use
- Scrape dishes before loading (no need to rinse)
- Run garbage disposal before starting dishwasher
- Use quality detergent
- Monthly cleaning cycle with dishwasher cleaner
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