Dishwasher Not Draining: Causes and Fixes
Safe checks before you call
None of these involve opening the appliance. Unplug it before cleaning anything.
- 1
Clean the filter
Twist out the filter in the floor of the tub and rinse it. Check the sump under it for glass, labels and seeds.
- 2
Run the garbage disposal
The dishwasher drains through the disposal. If the disposal is full, the dishwasher cannot empty.
- 3
Check the air gap
If you have a small chrome cap on the sink, pull the cap off and clear the gunk. Water spilling from the air gap means the hose below it is clogged.
- 4
Look at the drain hose
Under the sink, make sure the hose is not kinked and rises in a high loop before it connects.
- 5
New disposal?
If the disposal was just replaced, the knockout plug in its dishwasher inlet may still be in place.
What a technician usually finds
Drain pump
A jammed or burned-out pump is the most common part replaced for this complaint.
Check valve
A stuck flap lets dirty water flow back into the tub after the cycle.
Drain hose
Grease buildup narrows the hose until it has to be cleared or replaced.
Control or sensor fault
The dishwasher never tells the pump to run. Often shows as a code such as E24 on Bosch or OE on LG.
Questions and answers
Is a little water in the bottom of the dishwasher normal?
Yes. A small amount sits under the filter to keep the pump seals wet. Water above the filter, covering the floor of the tub, is not normal.
Can I use drain cleaner in a dishwasher?
No. Chemical drain cleaners can damage the pump, hoses and seals. Clear the filter and hose mechanically instead.
Why does my dishwasher smell?
Food trapped in the filter and grease in the drain hose. Clean the filter, run a hot cycle with a dishwasher cleaner and consider a drain line cleaning if the smell returns.
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