Fix Dishwasher Not Draining

A dishwasher that will not drain is usually caused by a clogged filter, blocked air gap or sink connection, a kinked drain hose, or a jammed pump area. Start with the simple blockage checks before considering internal parts.

Medium · 30-90 minutes

Tools

  • Screwdriver
  • Pliers
  • Bucket or shallow tray
  • Flashlight
  • Towels
  • Gloves

Materials

  • Dish soap
  • Warm water

Safety

  • Turn off power at the breaker before removing panels or touching internal parts.
  • Shut off the water supply if you need to move the dishwasher or disconnect any hose.
  • Keep towels and a tray ready because trapped water may spill when you open the filter or drain hose.
  • Do not reach into standing water or internal components until power is off.
  • Do not run the dishwasher with access panels removed or wiring exposed.
  • Stop and call a professional if you find burned wiring, a leaking pump, or major water leakage.

Steps

  1. Step 1: Confirm the symptom and remove standing water

    • Open the dishwasher and confirm there is standing water in the bottom after a cycle.
    • Scoop out as much water as possible with a cup or small container, then soak up the rest with towels or a sponge so you can inspect the drain area.
    • Turn off power at the breaker before placing your hands near the filter, sump, or lower panels.

    Check: The bottom of the tub is clear enough to inspect safely. · Power is off before you touch internal parts.

  2. Step 2: Clean the filter and sump area

    • Remove the lower rack to access the filter assembly at the bottom of the tub.
    • Twist or unlock the filter and lift it out according to the dishwasher design.
    • Wash the filter with warm water and dish soap, and remove any grease, food debris, labels, or glass carefully.
    • Inspect the sump area below the filter for debris and remove anything visible without forcing parts.

    Check: The filter is clean and reinstalled correctly. · There is no visible debris blocking the sump opening.

  3. Step 3: Check the air gap if your sink has one

    • Look for a small cylindrical air gap on the sink or countertop near the faucet.
    • Twist off or lift the cap and clean out any debris inside.
    • Flush it with warm water if needed and reinstall the cap.

    Check: The air gap is clear and water can pass through it. · No debris remains under the cap.

  4. Step 4: Inspect the sink drain or garbage disposal connection

    • Look under the sink where the dishwasher drain hose connects to the sink drain or garbage disposal.
    • Check for food buildup at the hose connection and clean it if clogged.
    • If the dishwasher was recently installed to a new garbage disposal, confirm the disposal knockout plug was removed from the dishwasher inlet.
    • Run the sink or disposal briefly after clearing any blockage, following normal safety around water and electricity.

    Check: The hose connection at the sink or disposal is open and not blocked. · If connected to a new disposal, the knockout plug is confirmed removed.

  5. Step 5: Inspect the drain hose for kinks or clogs

    • Follow the dishwasher drain hose from the machine to the sink drain or disposal.
    • Straighten any sharp bends or kinks that could restrict water flow.
    • Place a bucket or tray under the connection, then disconnect the hose at the sink side if needed and check for blockage.
    • Flush the hose with warm water or gently clear debris, then reconnect it securely.

    Check: The hose is not kinked, crushed, or sagging excessively. · Water can pass through the hose and the reconnection is secure.

  6. Step 6: Check for a proper high loop

    • Make sure the drain hose rises up under the countertop before dropping down to the drain connection, unless an air gap is installed.
    • If the hose hangs low, secure it high under the sink to help prevent backflow into the dishwasher.

    Check: The hose has a proper high loop or the unit has an air gap. · The hose routing will not allow sink water to flow back into the dishwasher.

  7. Step 7: Inspect the pump area for obstruction

    • With power still off, look into the drain pump area near the sump if your model allows access after removing covers or screens.
    • Remove small debris such as glass, seeds, bone fragments, or labels using gloves or pliers.
    • If you can see the impeller, check that it is not jammed by debris, but do not force it.

    Check: No visible debris is blocking the pump area. · The impeller area appears clear and not jammed.

  8. Step 8: Reassemble and test a drain cycle

    • Reinstall all filters, covers, and racks securely.
    • Restore power and run a cancel-drain cycle or short rinse cycle to test draining.
    • Watch the sink connection and underneath for leaks while the unit drains.
    • If needed, repeat one quick inspection of the filter and hose connections after the test.

    Check: The dishwasher drains out fully or much more effectively than before. · There are no leaks at the hose connection or under the appliance.

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kitchen

Fix Dishwasher Not Draining

Medium30-90 minutes

A dishwasher that will not drain is usually caused by a clogged filter, blocked air gap or sink connection, a kinked drain hose, or a jammed pump area. Start with the simple blockage checks before considering internal parts.

Was this guide helpful?
⚡Safety Warning
  • Turn off power at the breaker before removing panels or touching internal parts.
  • Shut off the water supply if you need to move the dishwasher or disconnect any hose.
  • Keep towels and a tray ready because trapped water may spill when you open the filter or drain hose.
  • Do not reach into standing water or internal components until power is off.
  • Do not run the dishwasher with access panels removed or wiring exposed.
  • Stop and call a professional if you find burned wiring, a leaking pump, or major water leakage.

Tools & Materials

  • Screwdriver
  • Pliers
  • Bucket or shallow tray
  • Flashlight
  • Towels
  • Gloves
  • Dish soap
  • Warm water

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1

Confirm the symptom and remove standing water

Diagram for step 1: Confirm the symptom and remove standing water
  • Open the dishwasher and confirm there is standing water in the bottom after a cycle.
  • Scoop out as much water as possible with a cup or small container, then soak up the rest with towels or a sponge so you can inspect the drain area.
  • Turn off power at the breaker before placing your hands near the filter, sump, or lower panels.
Check

The bottom of the tub is clear enough to inspect safely. • Power is off before you touch internal parts.

Was this step clear?
Step 2

Clean the filter and sump area

Diagram for step 2: Clean the filter and sump area
  • Remove the lower rack to access the filter assembly at the bottom of the tub.
  • Twist or unlock the filter and lift it out according to the dishwasher design.
  • Wash the filter with warm water and dish soap, and remove any grease, food debris, labels, or glass carefully.
  • Inspect the sump area below the filter for debris and remove anything visible without forcing parts.
Check

The filter is clean and reinstalled correctly. • There is no visible debris blocking the sump opening.

Was this step clear?
Step 3

Check the air gap if your sink has one

Diagram for step 3: Check the air gap if your sink has one
  • Look for a small cylindrical air gap on the sink or countertop near the faucet.
  • Twist off or lift the cap and clean out any debris inside.
  • Flush it with warm water if needed and reinstall the cap.
Check

The air gap is clear and water can pass through it. • No debris remains under the cap.

Was this step clear?
Step 4

Inspect the sink drain or garbage disposal connection

Diagram for step 4: Inspect the sink drain or garbage disposal connection
  • Look under the sink where the dishwasher drain hose connects to the sink drain or garbage disposal.
  • Check for food buildup at the hose connection and clean it if clogged.
  • If the dishwasher was recently installed to a new garbage disposal, confirm the disposal knockout plug was removed from the dishwasher inlet.
  • Run the sink or disposal briefly after clearing any blockage, following normal safety around water and electricity.
Check

The hose connection at the sink or disposal is open and not blocked. • If connected to a new disposal, the knockout plug is confirmed removed.

Was this step clear?
Step 5

Inspect the drain hose for kinks or clogs

Diagram for step 5: Inspect the drain hose for kinks or clogs
  • Follow the dishwasher drain hose from the machine to the sink drain or disposal.
  • Straighten any sharp bends or kinks that could restrict water flow.
  • Place a bucket or tray under the connection, then disconnect the hose at the sink side if needed and check for blockage.
  • Flush the hose with warm water or gently clear debris, then reconnect it securely.
Check

The hose is not kinked, crushed, or sagging excessively. • Water can pass through the hose and the reconnection is secure.

Was this step clear?
Step 6

Check for a proper high loop

Diagram for step 6: Check for a proper high loop
  • Make sure the drain hose rises up under the countertop before dropping down to the drain connection, unless an air gap is installed.
  • If the hose hangs low, secure it high under the sink to help prevent backflow into the dishwasher.
Check

The hose has a proper high loop or the unit has an air gap. • The hose routing will not allow sink water to flow back into the dishwasher.

Was this step clear?
Step 7

Inspect the pump area for obstruction

Diagram for step 7: Inspect the pump area for obstruction
  • With power still off, look into the drain pump area near the sump if your model allows access after removing covers or screens.
  • Remove small debris such as glass, seeds, bone fragments, or labels using gloves or pliers.
  • If you can see the impeller, check that it is not jammed by debris, but do not force it.
Check

No visible debris is blocking the pump area. • The impeller area appears clear and not jammed.

Was this step clear?
Step 8

Reassemble and test a drain cycle

Diagram for step 8: Reassemble and test a drain cycle
  • Reinstall all filters, covers, and racks securely.
  • Restore power and run a cancel-drain cycle or short rinse cycle to test draining.
  • Watch the sink connection and underneath for leaks while the unit drains.
  • If needed, repeat one quick inspection of the filter and hose connections after the test.
Check

The dishwasher drains out fully or much more effectively than before. • There are no leaks at the hose connection or under the appliance.

Was this step clear?

Common Mistakes

  • ×Forgetting to turn off power before reaching into the sump or removing panels.
  • ×Cleaning only the visible filter while missing a clog in the air gap, disposal inlet, or drain hose.
  • ×Failing to check for a knockout plug in a newly installed garbage disposal.
  • ×Reconnecting the drain hose loosely and causing a leak.
  • ×Ignoring a missing high loop, which can let dirty water flow back into the dishwasher.
  • ×Forcing pump parts or impellers and damaging the pump.

When to Call a Professional

  • The dishwasher still will not drain after cleaning the filter, air gap, sink connection, and hose.
  • You find burned wiring, a melted connector, or any sign of electrical damage.
  • The drain pump hums but does not move water after obstructions are cleared.
  • The unit is hard-wired and you are not comfortable working around electrical components.
  • You find a leaking pump, cracked hose fitting, or substantial water leakage under the machine.
  • The dishwasher needs pump, motor, control board, or internal wiring diagnosis.

Notes

  • A small amount of clean water in the sump area can be normal on some models and does not always mean there is a drain problem.
  • If the dishwasher connects to a garbage disposal, running the disposal can sometimes clear a partial blockage at the inlet.
  • Taking photos before removing covers or hoses can help with correct reassembly.
  • If the dishwasher recently stopped draining after sink plumbing work, recheck the drain hose routing and disposal connection first.

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