Is a little water in the bottom of my dishwasher normal?

A small amount of water around the filter area can be normal on some models. More than about an inch, or dirty water with food, means a drain problem.

Why won't my dishwasher drain after installing a new garbage disposal?

New disposals come with a plastic knockout plug in the dishwasher inlet. It has to be knocked out before the dishwasher can drain through it.

What is a dishwasher air gap?

It's a small fitting on the sink that stops dirty sink water from flowing back into the dishwasher. If it clogs, water may spurt from it and the dishwasher won't drain well.

Can I use drain cleaner in my dishwasher?

No. Chemical drain cleaners can damage dishwasher parts and leave harmful residue. Clean the filter and clear clogs by hand instead.

How much does it cost to fix a dishwasher that won't drain?

It depends on the cause. A clogged filter or hose costs little or nothing. A new drain pump costs more. We always give you a price before starting work.

Dishwasher Not Draining? Causes and Step-by-Step Fixes

Dishwasher Not Draining: Causes and Fixes

You open the dishwasher and find a pool of cloudy water at the bottom. Before you start bailing, take a breath. Most drain problems come down to a short list of clogs, and you can check most of them in under 15 minutes.

Updated October 20266 min readWritten for Pacifica, CA homes

The Short Answer

A dishwasher usually won't drain because of a clogged filter, a kinked or blocked drain hose, a clogged air gap, a garbage disposal that's full or still has its knockout plug, or a failed drain pump. Check them in that order, from easiest to hardest.

Before You Start

Turn off the power at the switch or breaker before reaching into the dishwasher.
Lay down towels and have a cup and sponge ready to scoop out water.
Run the garbage disposal for a few seconds. Many dishwashers drain through it.

Check These 5 Things in Order

1. Clean the filter

Most modern dishwashers have a filter in the bottom of the tub. Twist it out, rinse it under hot water and scrub off the greasy film. A clogged filter is the number one cause of standing water.

2. Check the drain hose

Look under the sink for a ribbed hose running from the dishwasher. Make sure it isn't kinked, crushed or sagging. It should have a high loop or connect to an air gap so dirty water can't flow back.

3. Clean the air gap

Many California kitchens have a small chrome cap on the back of the sink. That's the air gap. Pull off the cover and clear any gunk inside. If water spurts from it during a cycle, it's clogged.

4. Check the garbage disposal

If the disposal is clogged, the dishwasher can't drain into it. If the disposal is brand new, the installer may have left the plastic knockout plug in the dishwasher inlet. That plug must be removed.

5. Listen to the drain pump

Start a drain or cancel cycle and listen. A hum with no draining usually means something is stuck in the pump. Silence may mean the pump or its control has failed.

Clean ceramic plates on a dish rack after a dishwasher drain problem was fixed — Once the drain path is clear, dishes come out clean and the tub stays dry.

What Your Symptoms Tell You

Dishwasher drain symptoms and likely causes
What You Notice	Likely Cause
Shallow water and food bits	Clogged filter
Water spurting from the sink cap	Clogged air gap
Sink backs up when dishwasher drains	Clogged disposal or sink drain
New disposal, dishwasher won't drain	Knockout plug still in place
Humming but no draining	Debris jammed in the drain pump
Silent, no draining at all	Failed drain pump or control

Water leaking onto the floor? Shut off the water under the sink and call us. We offer same-day dishwasher repair in Pacifica.

(650) 491-1179

How to Prevent It From Happening Again

Scrape plates into the trash, not the dishwasher.
Clean the filter monthly.
Run the disposal before starting the dishwasher.
Run the hot water at the sink first so the cycle starts hot and dissolves grease.
Use the right detergent. Regular dish soap makes suds that can overflow and confuse sensors.

Have a Bosch dishwasher showing E24 or E25? Those codes point to drain problems. Our Bosch page explains more.

When to Call a Technician

The filter, hose, air gap and disposal are all clear, but it still won't drain.
You hear grinding or humming from the pump.
Water is leaking onto the floor or under cabinets.
An error code keeps coming back.

Our dishwasher repair technicians can clear the pump, test the parts and get it draining. If the disposal is the problem, see our garbage disposal repair service.