Dishwasher Is Not Draining

A clogged dishwasher filter can fill the bottom of your dishwasher with dirty water because food debris and grease get caught in the filter and keep water from draining. Start by cleaning the filter located at the bottom of the tub to try to get your dishwasher draining again.

A blocked or clogged drain hose from the dishwasher can kink or fill with debris, stopping the flow of water and resulting in the dishwasher not draining completely. You may need to remove the drain hose and clear the blockage to fix a dishwasher that has stagnant water.

Food particles can build up inside the air gap and block the drain, leaving water at the bottom. Removing the cap to clean the inside helps unclogging your dishwasher.

If you recently installed a disposal and didn’t remove the plug, the water has nowhere to go. This can make it look like the dishwasher is clogged.

When the dishwasher pump wears out, it cannot push water out, leaving water in the bottom of the tub. A technician may need to check the drain pump or replace the drain pump if it’s no longer working.

Food pieces can get caught in the impeller inside the dishwasher and block the drain motor from spinning properly. Cleaning the impeller can improve and stop water from flowing back into your dishwasher.

If your sink drain is slow, dirty water from the dishwasher cannot exit the hose, which may result in the dishwasher still not draining. Check your drain and remove any clogs before running another dishwasher cycle.

Some units use a solenoid to open the drain valve, and if it fails, it can keep the dishwasher from emptying properly. You may need to check the drain pump system or have our appliance repair professional replace the part.

A stuck check valve can block the water from flowing, causing standing water in your dishwasher because it cannot exit properly. Removing the part and clearing the blockage can unclog your dishwasher that won’t drain.

If the door switch doesn’t signal that the door is closed, the dishwasher cycle may stop early, leaving water at the bottom. This prevents the unit from finishing the drain cycle and may require professional dishwasher troubleshooting.

Excess soap can create suds that block the filter and keep water from draining efficiently, leaving a clogged dishwasher filter. Try to reduce the detergent and clean your dishwasher filter by hand to improve results.

If the drain hose using a low loop is installed incorrectly, water can flow backward and cause standing water at the bottom. A proper high loop helps remove the drain and keeps the hose from allowing water to flow back inside.