🍽️ Troubleshooting guide

Dishwasher won't drain

Standing water in the bottom after a cycle is almost always a clog or a drain-path problem — and a lot of it you can clear at the sink before you ever call.

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Most likely causes

What's actually going on

Clogged filterFood and grease pack the filter basket at the bottom until water can't get to the pump. The most common cause by far.
Blocked drain hose or air gapThe hose to the disposal or the air gap on the counter clogs and backs water up.
Disposal plug not knocked outOn a new disposal install, the knockout plug left in place blocks the dishwasher drain completely.
Failed drain pumpThe pump itself dies and can't push the water out.

Check it yourself

Safe steps before you call

Work through these in order — they're the same first checks a good technician makes.

Run the disposal first. A full or clogged disposal will back water into the dishwasher — run it, then retry.
Clean the filter. Pull the bottom rack, twist out the filter basket, and rinse away the gunk. Do this monthly.
Check the drain hose. Look under the sink for a kinked or clogged hose, and clear the air gap on the counter if you have one.
Confirm the disposal knockout. If it's a recent disposal install and the dishwasher never drained since, the knockout plug is the likely culprit.

When to call a pro: If the filter, hose, and disposal are all clear but water still stands, the drain pump or valve has failed. Andre replaces it and confirms it drains clean before he leaves.

More dishwasher help

Related guides & service

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Dishwasher Repair

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Questions

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