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Symptom Diagnostic
Dishwasher Not DrainingHere's What's Actually Wrong
Save the guesswork. A real technician reviews your model number and a short video, then builds a Technician Decision Report with four honest options and real pricing. The $50 Quick Check fee becomes credit toward your repair if you proceed.
A dishwasher with standing water almost always has a clogged drain hose, a blocked air gap (or garbage disposal knockout), a clogged sump filter, or a failed drain pump. Most are diagnosable in one visit and most are $150–$300 to fix.
What's Actually Happening
The Most Common Causes
These are the failure modes our technicians see most often on this symptom — listed in rough order of frequency. We don't publish step-by-step repair instructions for liability reasons, but the diagnostic process below identifies which one applies to your machine before any parts get swapped.
Clogged drain hose
Food debris, grease, and scale collect over years. Hose between the dishwasher and disposal or air gap blocks up.
Missing disposal knockout
When a new garbage disposal is installed, the knockout plug must be removed for the dishwasher drain to flow. If it wasn't, the dishwasher can't drain into the disposal.
Clogged sump filter
The filter at the bottom of the tub collects food bits. When it clogs, water can't reach the pump.
Failed drain pump
Motor or impeller failure. Pump runs but doesn't move water, or doesn't run at all.
Air gap clog
The countertop air gap collects debris. When it's blocked, water can't move past it. Cleaning is usually all it needs.
Is It Worth Fixing?
The Honest Answer
Yes — every scenario. Cleaning and unclogs are the cheap end ($150). Drain pump replacement runs $250–$350. No scenario where a draining issue makes a dishwasher not worth fixing. Parts availability and labor complexity matter more than the age of the machine. A well-built ten-year-old appliance with an available part is often worth fixing twice. A newer unit with a discontinued board is the harder call. Our techs lay both options out side-by-side — repair cost vs. replacement cost — and let you decide. Try the replacement calculator for a quick framing, but every situation is different.
How the TDR Works
The 4-Option Technician Decision Report
After your $50 Quick Check (or $100 in-home diagnostic), a real technician — not a chatbot — reviews your model, video, and symptoms. They build a Technician Decision Report with four honest options:
Option 1
OEM Part Only
We source the exact OEM part and ship directly to you. You install. Best for confident DIYers who want guaranteed-fit parts.
Option 2
Amazon Equivalent Part Only
We source a verified compatible part at a lower price and ship directly. You install. Cost-effective when fit is straightforward.
Option 3
OEM Part + Labor
We source the OEM part, ship it, and our technician installs it. Best when fit is critical or labor access is complex.
Option 4
Equivalent Part + Labor
We source an equivalent part, ship it, and install it. Balances cost and convenience.
Important if you choose labor: do not start the job yourself. Once an appliance has been opened or partially worked on, our technician may need to charge additional labor — or may decline to take over the repair.
You pick which option works for you. No surprises, no hidden costs. We don't share specific part numbers — we source the parts ourselves and ship them directly to your door, so you never have to hunt for the right SKU.
Pricing
Real Numbers, No Mystery
Most repairs for this symptom land in the range below. The diagnostic confirms exactly which job it is before any quote — and the diagnostic fee credits toward your repair labor.
Quick Check (chat + tech review)$50
In-Home Diagnostic$100
Most dryer repairs$150-$300
Most washer repairs$200-$350
Most refrigerator repairs$200-$600
Sealed-system & specialtystarting at $200
Your diagnostic fee is never wasted. Every dollar you spend on the Quick Check ($50) or in-home diagnostic ($100) goes directly toward your repair labor if you decide to move forward. You're not paying for a diagnosis AND a repair — you're paying for a diagnosis that becomes a credit toward your repair. No double paying, ever.
FAQ
People Also Ask
Why does my dishwasher have standing water?
Drain blockage somewhere in the path — sump filter, drain hose, air gap, or disposal connection — or a failed drain pump. The diagnostic checks all five points.
How do I unclog a dishwasher drain?
Cleaning the sump filter is straightforward and good DIY maintenance. Deeper clogs (hose, air gap, disposal) need access we won't walk through here for liability reasons. We'll handle it in one visit.
Why is my new dishwasher not draining?
Single most common cause on a new install: the garbage disposal knockout plug was never removed. The disposal is brand new and the plug is still in place blocking the dishwasher drain. 5-minute fix once it's identified.
How much does it cost to fix a dishwasher that won't drain?
$150–$300 typical. Cleaning is the cheap end. Drain pump replacement is the upper end.
Do I have to pay the diagnostic fee AND the repair cost?
No. Your $50 or $100 diagnostic applies directly to repair labor. You pay once.
Related Symptoms
Other Things That Could Be Wrong
Where We Service
Middle TN + Louisiana
Whether you're in Nashville or Hammond, the diagnostic process is the same. We service Middle Tennessee and Louisiana with six experienced technicians.
Outside the cities listed? Chat with Ant — we'll confirm coverage before you pay anything.
Get Started
Chat with Ant — Get a Real Answer Today
Chat with Ant — tell us what's wrong, share a quick video and your model number photo, and a real technician will build your Technician Decision Report. No hold music, no guessing, no commitment until you see your options.