Dishwasher Not Draining? 5 Checks Before You Call for Repair

Safety first: Switch the dishwasher off at the wall before reaching inside. Wear gloves — standing water can hide broken glass.

Check 1 — Clean the filter

1. Remove the bottom rack.
2. Twist/lift out the filter assembly at the tub floor.
3. Rinse under hot water, scrub the mesh with a soft brush.
4. Refit securely — a loose filter causes its own problems.

Check 2 — Drain hose

1. Pull the dishwasher out slightly (or open the under-sink cabinet).
2. Follow the hose from dishwasher to sink/disposal.
3. Look for kinks, sharp bends, or crushing.
4. Make sure it loops up high under the counter before dropping to the drain — this high loop prevents backflow.

Check 3 — Air gap

That little chrome dome next to your faucet? Unscrew its cap and clean out gunk. A clogged air gap is a classic cause of slow draining.

Check 4 — Garbage disposal connection

If your dishwasher drains through a disposal: run the disposal, and check the knockout plug was removed during installation (common on new installs — it blocks the drain completely).

Check 5 — Run a reset + hot cycle

Cancel the cycle, start a fresh drain/rinse cycle with hot water. Sometimes the control just needs a reset.

<div class="safety"> <strong>🛑 Stop and call a pro if:</strong> <ul> <li>You hear humming but no water moves (pump/motor issue)</li> <li>There's an error code you can't clear</li> <li>Water leaks from underneath the unit</li> <li>You smell burning or see scorch marks</li> </ul> </div>

DIY vs pro cost

Printable checklist

• [ ] Power OFF at the wall
• [ ] Filter removed, cleaned, refitted
• [ ] Drain hose checked for kinks + high loop
• [ ] Air gap cleaned
• [ ] Disposal knockout plug checked
• [ ] Reset cycle run — draining now?