TL;DR: A dishwasher that won’t drain is usually clogged somewhere between the filter and your sink drain. Start with the filter, then the drain hose, then the garbage disposal. That’s where most of these problems turn up.
A dishwasher that won’t drain is a pain. You open the door expecting clean dishes, but instead find a pool of gray water sitting in the bottom.
Most of the time, though, it’s a simple fix, so let’s walk through it as if we were standing in your kitchen.
Why is my dishwasher not draining?
Your dishwasher drains in a straight line: water goes through a filter, gets pumped down a hose, and empties into the drain under your sink. Block any part of that path, and the water stays put.
Before you start, switch off the dishwasher at the breaker, scoop out the standing water, and check these six spots, easiest first.
Got a dishwasher not draining? Find what you’re seeing here, then jump to that section.
| What you notice | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Water left after every cycle | Clogged filter | Clean the filter |
| Stopped draining after it was moved | Bent drain hose | Straighten the hose |
| Sink drains slowly too | Full disposal | Run the disposal |
| Never drained since a new disposal | Plug still in the disposal | Do the pencil test |
| Water spills from the cap by the faucet | Clogged air gap | Clean the air gap |
| Humming, but no water moves | Failed pump | Call a pro |
1. The filter is clogged
Start here, because it’s the first thing we check. The filter sits under the bottom rack, on the floor of the tub, and it catches food scraps, seeds, and bits of paper labels.
Twist it out, rinse it under warm water,r and scrub it with a soft brush. Then lock it back in place.
2. The drain hose is bent
Open the cabinet under your sink, and you’ll see a ribbed hose coming from the dishwasher. If you pushed the dishwasher hard against the wall, that hose can fold and pinch shut.
Follow it with your hand and straighten out any bends.
3. The garbage disposal is full
In most kitchens, the dishwasher drains right into the disposal, so if it’s packed with food, the water has nowhere to go.
Run cold water, flip the disposal on for a few seconds, then try the dishwasher again.
4. A new disposal still has its plug
Just had a new disposal put in? Then this could be it. New disposals come with a small plug where the dishwasher hose connects, and installers sometimes forget to remove it.
KitchenAid’s install guide suggests a quick test: push a pencil into that opening, and if it slides in about 3 inches, the plug’s gone. If it stops short, our garbage disposal repair team can pop it out for you.
5. The air gap is clogged
Do you see a small metal cap next to your faucet? That’s an air gap. Maytag’s troubleshooting page explains that it lets air into the drain line so water flows out freely.
When it clogs, water spills out of that cap into your sink. Pop the cap off and clean out any gunk inside.
6. The pump has stopped working
Checked everything above and still no luck? If you hear humming but no water moving, the pump has probably failed.
This one’s a job for a pro, so don’t take the machine apart.
One common mix-up is using regular dish soap instead of detergent. Suds can keep the dishwasher from draining, so scoop out the foam and run a rinse cycle with no soap.
When should you call a plumber?
Give us a call if:
- You’ve checked all six spots and still have a dishwasher not draining
- Your kitchen sink backs up every time the dishwasher runs
A sink that backs up usually means the clog is deeper in your drain pipe. If your drain keeps clogging after you clear it, buildup is likely further down.
If the filter, hose, disposal, and air gap all look fine, stop there and call a pro.
Why Call 1-800-Plumber +Air?
Our plumbers fix clogged kitchen drains, drain hoses, and disposals every day as part of our kitchen plumbing services. If the problem is inside the dishwasher, we’ll tell you straight.
Final thoughts
Most of the time, a dishwasher not draining comes down to a dirty filter, a bent hose, or a full disposal. You can fix all three yourself. If the water still won’t budge, call 1-800-Plumber +Air at 1-800-758-6237 or book a visit with your local office.
FAQ’s
Why is my dishwasher not draining?
If your dishwasher isn’t draining, check if the filter, drain hose, or garbage disposal is clogged. Clean the filter, make sure the hose isn’t kinked, and run the disposal. If it still won’t drain, call a plumber.
Can a garbage disposal stop a dishwasher from draining?
Yes. Most dishwashers drain through the disposal, so a full disposal, or a plug left in a new one, can block the water.
Do plumbers fix dishwashers?
Plumbers fix the drain side: the hose, the air gap, the disposal, and the kitchen drain pipe. Electrical problems are usually an appliance repair technician’s job.
Is it OK to keep using a dishwasher that won’t drain?
No. Each new cycle adds more water to a tub that can’t empty, and it can overflow onto your floor. Fix the clog first.