Short answer
Turn it off and scoop the water out with a cup and a towel. Pull out the bottom rack, twist the filter counterclockwise, lift it out and rinse it under hot water with a soft brush. Then check under the sink: the drain hose must not be kinked, and if it goes to the garbage disposal, run the disposal to clear it. Put the filter back and run a rinse cycle.
Safety first
Turn the dishwasher off and let the water cool before you reach in. If you reach into the pump area, switch off its breaker first, and watch for broken glass in the filter.
How to fix a dishwasher that will not drain
1Dirty water left in the bottom
The water should be gone at the end of the cycle. Something blocks its way out, most often the filter.
Read all the steps
- Dirty water left in the bottom. The water should be gone at the end of the cycle. Something blocks its way out, most often the filter.
- Turn it off and bail out the water. Press Cancel or turn it off. Scoop the water into a bowl with a cup, then soak up the rest with a towel.
- Twist out the filter and rinse it. Under the bottom rack, turn the filter counterclockwise and lift it out. Rinse it under hot water and scrub it with a soft brush.
- Check the drain hose under the sink. Follow the hose from the dishwasher. Straighten any kink, and make sure it loops up high before it reaches the sink drain or disposal.
- Run a rinse cycle. Lock the filter back in. Run the garbage disposal, then a rinse or drain cycle. The bottom should be dry.
- Still not fixed? Call a plumber Especially if: the filter, the hose and the disposal are clear and it still will not drain (the drain pump may be bad).
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Other things to check
- The garbage disposal: food in it blocks the dishwasher drain. Run it with cold water.
- A new disposal: if the dishwasher stopped draining right after it went in, the knockout plug in its inlet was never removed.
- The air gap, the little chrome cap behind the sink: pull the cover off and clean out the gunk.
- The sink: if it drains slowly too, the clog is in the drain line.
What not to do
- Do not pour drain cleaner into the dishwasher. It damages the seals and the pump.
- Do not run cycle after cycle hoping it drains. It can overflow and burn out the pump.
- Do not run it without the filter: food goes straight into the pump.
When to call a plumber
- The filter, the hose and the disposal are clear and it still will not drain (the drain pump may be bad).
- You hear humming or grinding but no water moves.
- Water leaks onto the floor under the dishwasher.
- The sink and other drains back up too.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there water in the bottom of my dishwasher?
Most often a clogged filter, a kinked drain hose or a garbage disposal full of food. A little water around the filter is normal on some models; a pool is not.
How do I clean a dishwasher filter?
Take out the bottom rack, twist the filter counterclockwise and lift it out. Rinse it under hot water, scrub it with a soft brush and lock it back in.
Can a garbage disposal stop a dishwasher from draining?
Yes. In most kitchens the dishwasher drains into the disposal, so food in it, or a knockout plug left in a new one, blocks the water.
How often should I clean the dishwasher filter?
Once a month is a good habit, more often if you do not rinse your dishes. Your manual gives the interval for your model.
Is it OK to use a dishwasher that does not drain?
No. Dirty water sits and smells, and more cycles can overflow or strain the pump. Fix the drain first.