A dishwasher not draining is almost always caused by a blockage or a failed component in the drain system. The most common causes are a defective drain pump, a clogged garbage disposer, an obstructed drain hose, a failed drain solenoid, a stuck check valve, or a control issue that prevents the drain cycle from running. Before replacing anything, start with the simplest checks: drain hose elevation and filter cleaning fix the problem more often than most people expect.
For a symptom-specific repair path, start with Repair ClinicÂ’s dishwasher not draining troubleshooting guide.
Is Standing Water in a Dishwasher Normal?
A small amount of standing water near the sump housing at the bottom of the dishwasher is normal and intentional. The dishwasher is designed to retain a small amount of water to keep the sump seals from drying out and cracking during periods of non-use. You may also see water drain out at the beginning of the next wash cycle because the appliance drains retained water before allowing fresh water in.
What is not normal is water pooling across the entire bottom of the tub after a completed cycle, water reaching the door seal when you open the dishwasher, or water that has not drained at all. If any of these describe what you are seeing, the dishwasher has a draining problem that needs to be diagnosed.
Is standing water in the bottom of the dishwasher normal?
A small amount of water near the sump housing is normal because the dishwasher intentionally retains a little water to keep seals from drying out. Water that covers the entire floor of the tub or reaches the door after a completed cycle is not normal and indicates a draining problem.
Check the Drain Hose First
Before testing any component, verify the drain hose is properly elevated. The drain hose must loop upward to a point higher than the connection to the garbage disposer or sink drain pipe. Without this high loop, water can siphon back into the tub after the drain cycle ends. If the hose sags or does not have a supported loop, correcting this may resolve the standing water problem without replacing parts.
Also check the hose for kinks, restrictions, or clogs at either end. A pinched or blocked drain hose can mimic a failed pump because water cannot leave the dishwasher even when the pump is running.
How to Unclog a Dishwasher Yourself
Many cases of a dishwasher not draining are caused by accumulated food debris rather than a part failure. Before diagnosing the pump, solenoid, or control board, clean these areas first.
Clean the Filter
Most modern dishwashers have a cylindrical filter at the bottom of the tub. Twist and lift it out, rinse it under running water, and scrub off any trapped debris. A clogged filter restricts drainage and is one of the most commonly overlooked causes of a dishwasher that will not drain.
Check the Drain Basket
Around the filter, look for food particles, broken glass, labels, seeds, or small bones caught in the drain basket area. Remove any visible debris before running another cycle.
Inspect the Garbage Disposer
If the drain hose connects to a garbage disposer, run the disposer to clear food buildup. On a newly installed disposer, confirm that the knockout plug has been removed from the drain tube port. If that plug is still in place, the dishwasher cannot drain through the disposer connection.
Check the Drain Hose for Kinks
Remove the hose from both ends if accessible and inspect it for kinks or obstructions before reinstalling. If the hose is cracked, collapsed, or packed with debris, replace it rather than trying to force it clear.
How do I unclog a dishwasher drain?
Start by cleaning the filter, then check the drain basket for debris. Run the garbage disposer to clear the connection point and confirm the disposer knockout plug has been removed if the disposer is new. If the problem continues, inspect the drain hose for kinks or clogs at both ends.
Repair tip: When a dishwasher will not drain, check the filter and drain area before assuming the pump is bad. Food debris, broken glass, labels, and a sagging drain hose can all stop drainage even when the drain pump is still working.
Top Reasons Your Dishwasher Will Not Drain
If cleaning the filter and correcting the drain hose did not resolve the problem, the dishwasher water not draining is likely caused by one of these component failures.
Defective Drain Pump
The dishwasher drain pump uses an impeller to force water out through the drain hose. If the pump motor has failed electrically or mechanically, water will not drain from the tub. Test the pump motor for continuity with a multimeter. If the pump receives power but will not run, or if it has no continuity, it likely needs replacement.
How do I test a dishwasher drain pump?
Disconnect power to the dishwasher, access the drain pump, disconnect the pump electrical connector, and test the motor for continuity with a multimeter. No continuity means the pump motor has failed. If the pump has continuity but hums, grinds, or will not move water, inspect it for debris or mechanical damage.
Damaged Drain Impeller
The drain impeller helps move water out of the dishwasher during the drain cycle. If the impeller is broken, stripped, jammed, or separated from the motor shaft, the pump may run but fail to push water through the drain hose. On some models, the dishwasher drain impeller can be replaced separately from the full pump.
Faulty Drain Solenoid Kit
Some dishwashers use a drain solenoid to open the drain valve or move a drain linkage. If the solenoid fails, the valve may not open and the dishwasher will hold water in the tub. Test the dishwasher drain solenoid kit for continuity and inspect the linkage for binding or damage.
Stuck Drain Valve or Check Valve
The drain valve allows water to leave the dishwasher, while the check valve helps prevent drained water from flowing back into the tub. If either part sticks closed, water cannot drain properly. Cleaning the valve is worth trying first, but if the problem returns, compare compatible dishwasher drain valve parts by model number.
Faulty Pump and Motor Assembly
Some dishwashers use a combined pump and motor assembly instead of separate serviceable pump components. If the motor is seized, the pump housing is damaged, or the drain components are not sold separately for your model, the full dishwasher pump and motor assembly may need to be replaced.
Control Board or Main Control Board Problem
If the drain pump, hose, valve, and impeller all check out, the dishwasher may not be sending power to the drain system. A failed dishwasher control board can prevent the drain cycle from starting, while a defective dishwasher main control board can interrupt voltage to the pump or related components. Boards are often misdiagnosed, so check the drain pump and simpler mechanical causes first.
Why is my dishwasher not draining?
The most common causes of a dishwasher not draining are a clogged filter, a defective drain pump, a blocked garbage disposer, an obstructed drain hose, a failed drain solenoid, a stuck drain valve, or a control issue. Start with the filter and hose before moving to electrical testing.
What to Do When Your Dishwasher Is Full of Water
If the dishwasher completed a cycle and is still full of water, work through this sequence before calling for service:
- Check the drain hose elevation and correct it if needed.
- Clean the filter and drain basket.
- Run the garbage disposer and check the knockout plug if the disposer is new.
- Inspect the drain hose for kinks or clogs.
- If water still is not draining, test the drain pump motor for continuity.
- If the pump tests good, inspect the drain impeller, drain valve, and drain solenoid if applicable.
- If all drain components check out, test whether the control board is sending voltage to the pump during the drain cycle.
How do I get water out of the bottom of my dishwasher?
To manually remove standing water, remove the bottom rack and use a cup, towel, or sponge to remove as much water as possible. Then clean the filter and drain basket before running another cycle. Do not keep restarting the dishwasher without fixing the drain problem, because the water will likely return.
What If the Dishwasher Drains at the Start of a Cycle But Not at the End?
If the dishwasher drains at the start of a cycle but leaves water at the end, the pump may still work, but the drain command may not be completing consistently. Check for debris that shifts into the pump during the cycle, a drain hose that sags and allows water to siphon back, or a control issue that interrupts the final drain. Intermittent drainage can also happen when a pump motor is starting to fail under load.
For a video-style diagnostic overview, use Repair ClinicÂ’s dishwasher not draining troubleshooting guide.
When Should You Replace Dishwasher Drain Parts?
Replace the drain pump if the motor has no continuity, receives voltage but will not run, or makes grinding and humming noises after debris has been removed. Replace the drain impeller if it is cracked, stripped, or loose on the shaft. Replace the drain solenoid kit if it has no continuity or cannot open the drain valve. Replace the drain valve or check valve if cleaning does not restore proper water flow.
Use the dishwasher model number to confirm the correct part before ordering. Parts that look similar can have different electrical ratings, mounting points, or hose connections.
Find the Right Dishwasher Drain Parts at Repair Clinic
Once you have determined which component is causing your dishwasher not to drain, Repair Clinic makes finding the right part straightforward. Enter the full model number of your dishwasher in the search bar to see compatible parts. Start with the main dishwasher parts category, then narrow by pump, valve, control board, or related part type.
Common replacement parts for this repair include drain pumps, drain impellers, drain solenoid kits, drain valves, pump and motor assemblies, control boards, and main control boards. Matching by model number helps make sure the part fits your dishwasher before you order.
