Dishwasher problem
Why won't my dishwasher drain?
Start with the filter under the lower spray arm, which clogs with food and glass. If the dishwasher drains into a garbage disposal, run the disposal and make sure a newly installed one had its knockout plug removed. If the pump hums but nothing moves, it is jammed or failed.
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Where the water gets stuck: dishwasher not draining
Dirty water passes the filter into the sump, is pumped out through the drain hose, and goes through an air gap or high loop into the disposal or sink drain.
- Filter
- The most common blockage.
- Pump
- Jammed by glass shards, pits or labels.
- Hose and connection
- Kinked hose, clogged air gap or disposal inlet.
Urgency: dishwasher not draining
- Act now
Water leaking onto the floor
Stop the cycle and close the supply valve.
- This week
Standing water only
Try the checks; book a dishwasher repair if it persists.
Signs and causes: dishwasher not draining
| Sign | Likely cause | What fixes it |
|---|---|---|
| Water above the filter | Clogged filter | Filter cleaned |
| New disposal, dishwasher stopped draining | Disposal knockout plug in place | Plug removed |
| Water from the air gap on the sink | Clogged air gap or hose | Air gap and hose cleared |
| Hum during drain, no water moves | Pump jammed or failed | Pump cleared or replaced |
Safe checks: dishwasher not draining
Switch off the dishwasher at its breaker first.
Bail out water
Use a cup and towels.
Clean the filter
Twist out, rinse and refit.
Run the disposal
With water running, to clear its inlet.
Clean the air gap
Lift the cap on the sink and remove debris.
Avoid: dishwasher not draining
Drain cleaner in the dishwasher
Damages the pump and seals.
Reaching into the sump with power on
Always switch off at the breaker.
What to tell the technician about the dishwasher
Say whether the water drained partly or not at all, whether you heard the pump hum, and whether the problem started after something changed: a new garbage disposal, a plumber working under the sink, or a glass breaking in a load. A new disposal with its knockout plug still in place is a five-minute fix that sounds like a failed pump.
Mention whether the kitchen sink also drains slowly. If it does, the blockage is probably in the shared drain line, which is plumbing rather than appliance repair. If the sink drains well and the dishwasher does not, the fault is inside the dishwasher or its hose, and the technician will check the filter, sump, pump and drain hose in that order.
Questions people ask: dishwasher not draining
Is some water in the bottom normal?
A little below the filter is normal. Water above it is not.
Can a sink clog stop the dishwasher draining?
Yes. They usually share a drain. If the sink is slow, clear it first.
How do I prevent drain problems?
Scrape plates, clean the filter monthly and run the disposal before the dishwasher.
Can I run the dishwasher with standing water in it?
It is better not to. Each cycle adds more water, and an overfilled tub can leak through the door. Bail the water out, clean the filter and only run it again once it drains.
This page is general safety information, not a diagnosis. Appliances combine electricity, water and sometimes gas. If you are unsure whether something is safe, unplug it or switch it off at the breaker and have a technician inspect it. For a gas smell, leave and call 911 or the gas utility.
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- What is happening, any error code, and whether water or gas is involved
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