Dishwasher Not Draining? Common Causes and How to Fix It
Opening the dishwasher to find a pool of dirty water in the bottom is frustrating, but it rarely means the machine is beyond saving. In most cases something is stopping the water from getting out, and the fix is more straightforward than you might expect. Work through these checks in order before you assume the worst.
Why won't my dishwasher drain?
A dishwasher that will not drain is most often blocked at the filter, the drain hose or the sink connection, and each of those can be checked without tools. A clogged filter traps water in the base, a kinked hose behind the machine stops it leaving, and a blocked sink trap or an unremoved knockout plug at a waste disposal inlet stops it going anywhere once it does.
If all three are clear and water still sits in the bottom after a rinse cycle, the drain pump is the likely fault, and that needs a technician.
Check the filter first
The filter sits in the base of the dishwasher, usually under the bottom spray arm, and it catches food scraps so they do not recirculate. Over time it clogs. Twist it out, rinse it under the tap, and clear any debris from the housing underneath. On a lot of the machines we see, this alone solves the problem.
Clear the drain and food trap
While you are down there, scoop out any standing water with a cup and sponge, then check the sump area for glass, bones, labels off jars or anything else that could block the outlet. Small hard objects are a very common cause of a dishwasher that will not drain.
Inspect the drain hose
The drain hose runs from the dishwasher to your kitchen waste or sink trap. Check that it is not kinked behind the machine, and that the connection point at the sink is not blocked. If your dishwasher shares a drain with the sink, a blocked sink can back water straight into the dishwasher.
Check the garbage disposal or sink connection
If you have a waste disposal unit, run it, as a blockage there can stop the dishwasher draining. New installations sometimes leave a knockout plug in place at the disposal inlet, which will stop drainage entirely.
Run a rinse cycle
Once you have cleared the filter and hose, run a short rinse cycle and watch whether the water drains away. If it does, you are done.
When it is the pump
If the water still will not go, the drain pump itself may be faulty or jammed, or the machine may be throwing a fault code. Pumps and control boards are not a DIY job, and getting into them the wrong way can cause leaks or electrical faults.
If you have worked through the checks above and your dishwasher still holds water, book a repair with Wollongong Service Company or call 02 4229 3777. We repair all major brands across the Illawarra and can usually tell you what is wrong on the spot.
