Dishwasher Not Draining? Check These Five Things, in Order
Most standing water is a blocked filter or a drain path problem under the sink. Here is the order that finds it fastest, and how to tell when the pump has failed.
By Daniil, owner and lead technician · Updated · Rated on Google from 109 reviews
The five checks, in order
- Switch it off. Turn the dishwasher off at its panel and unplug it or switch off its circuit. You can scoop out standing water with a cup and towels.
- Filter. Remove and rinse the filter at the bottom of the tub. Food, labels and broken glass collect here; handle with care.
- Drain hose. Under the sink, look for a kink where the dishwasher was pushed back, and check that the hose rises in a high loop (or goes to an air gap) before it connects to the drain.
- Air gap and disposal. If you have an air gap on the counter, pull its cap and clear it. Run the disposal; a clogged disposal backs up into the dishwasher. If the problem started right after a new disposal was installed, the knockout plug inside its dishwasher inlet is probably still in place.
- Sink drain. If the kitchen sink drains slowly too, the clog is in the house drain, not the dishwasher.
If the water won’t go down after these checks, scoop out what you can and leave the filter and pump to the visit.
When the path is clear and it still won’t drain
| What you hear or see | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Humming or buzzing at drain time, no water moves | Drain pump jammed (glass, pits, bone) or failed |
| Silence at drain time | Drain pump not getting power: pump motor, wiring or control |
| Drains, then water flows back in | Check valve, or a drain hose without a high loop |
| Code on the display | The code narrows it: Bosch E24 / E25, Miele F11 |
| Water in the base, leak code (Bosch E15, Miele F70) | That is a leak, not a drain fault: Bosch E15, Miele F70 |
What we check on a drain call
The drain side is quick to check: filter, drain pump, check valve, the drain hose loop and the garbage-disposal connection. Drain pumps are routine repairs. Integrated dishwashers with custom cabinet fronts (Bosch, Miele, Asko, Thermador, Fisher & Paykel DishDrawers) have to be removed carefully to protect the panel and the flooring, so we diagnose as much as possible in place before pulling a unit.
Dishwasher repair in Marin County and San Francisco
UniFix repairs dishwashers, including panel-ready European units, across Marin County from San Rafael and in San Francisco from our Marina location. Diagnostic visits start at $85; the fee varies by appliance type, brand, location and appointment requirements, is confirmed before scheduling, and is applied toward the repair if you go ahead. Repairs carry a written warranty on parts and labor; the term is stated on your invoice. More on dishwasher repair.
Call Marin (415) 494-7882 or San Francisco (415) 683-0403. Tell us the brand, any code, what you hear at drain time, and whether the front matches your cabinets. The model number is usually on the edge of the door or the side of the tub frame.
Common questions
Can I run the dishwasher with standing water in it?
My dishwasher stopped draining after a new garbage disposal was installed. Why?
How do I know if the drain pump has failed?
Does the drain hose really need a high loop?
Request a visit
Prefer to talk? Call (415) 494-7882 (San Francisco: (415) 683-0403). UniFix Appliance Repair diagnostic visits start at $85. The diagnostic fee varies by appliance type, brand, location, and appointment requirements. We confirm the fee before scheduling. If you approve the repair, the diagnostic fee is applied toward it.