Dishwasher Not Draining? How to Fix It Yourself

Standing water at the bottom of the dishwasher is usually caused by a clogged filter, a blocked drain hose, or a garbage disposal issue. Work through these in order.

Before you start, turn off the dishwasher. Scoop or sponge out standing water into a bowl, and lay towels down.

In this guide

1. 1. Clean the filter
2. 2. Check the garbage disposal
3. 3. Clean the air gap
4. 4. Check the drain hose
5. 5. Run a cleaning cycle
6. Still won’t drain?

1. Clean the filter

Most modern dishwashers have a filter in the bottom that needs regular cleaning.

1. Remove the bottom rack.
2. Twist the cylindrical filter counterclockwise and lift it out, along with any flat mesh filter.
3. Rinse under running water and scrub with a soft brush and dish soap.
4. Clear any food or glass from the opening below.
5. Reinstall it and lock it in place.

Clean it monthly to prevent repeat problems.

2. Check the garbage disposal

The dishwasher often drains into the disposal.

• Run the disposal to clear food that may be blocking the inlet.
• New disposal? It has a plastic knockout plug at the dishwasher inlet that must be punched out before the dishwasher can drain into it.

3. Clean the air gap

Some sinks have a small metal cap near the faucet (the air gap). Pull off the cover, unscrew the plastic cap, and clean out debris.

4. Check the drain hose

Under the sink, follow the ribbed hose from the dishwasher. Look for kinks. Remove it with a bucket underneath, flush it with water to clear clogs, and reconnect it. The hose should loop up high under the counter (a “high loop”) to prevent backflow.

5. Run a cleaning cycle

Place a cup of white vinegar upright on the top rack and run a hot cycle to clear grease, or use a dishwasher cleaner.

Still won’t drain?

The drain pump may be clogged or failed. If you hear humming but no draining, a repair technician can check the pump.