Dishwasher Not Draining — Where to Look First
A dishwasher with 1-2 inches of water at the bottom after a cycle is the most common dishwasher complaint. Often, the cause has nothing to do with the dishwasher itself — it's the drain path through your sink/disposal. Easy to diagnose.
BHGS Licensed #50446 · Same-day service · $60 diagnostic credited toward repair · Updated June 2026
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Common Causes
1. Garbage disposal cap not removed (new install)
If a garbage disposal was installed recently, the dishwasher drain plug inside the disposal must be knocked out. If it's still in place, the dishwasher has nowhere to drain. This is the most embarrassing-to-miss cause.
2. Clogged air gap or high-loop
The small chrome cylinder on your sink top (air gap) clogs with food sludge over time. Pop the cover, clean out the gunk, and drainage often comes back instantly.
3. Filter clogged at bottom of dishwasher
Modern dishwashers have a removable filter at the bottom (under the spray arm). When it clogs with food debris, water can't reach the drain pump.
4. Drain pump failure
The pump that pushes water out. When it fails, you'll hear the cycle complete normally but with a quiet hum at drain time instead of the gurgle of water moving.
5. Kinked or clogged drain hose
Hose between dishwasher and sink/disposal. Sometimes pinched behind a cabinet, sometimes clogged with food/grease inside.
What You Can Check Yourself
Try these in order — most take 5-10 minutes and many resolve the problem without a service call.
- 1
Run garbage disposal first (5-second test)
Run hot water + garbage disposal for 20 seconds. Then re-run the dishwasher drain cycle (or "cancel" button which usually triggers drain). If it now drains — disposal had buildup, blocking the dishwasher drain too.
- 2
Check the air gap
On your sink top — small chrome cylinder, usually next to the faucet. Pop the top off, lift out the inner piece, clean both halves with a brush. Replace. Try drain cycle.
- 3
Clean the filter at the bottom of the dishwasher
Remove the lower rack. At the bottom, there's a cylindrical filter — twist counter-clockwise and lift out. Rinse under hot water with a brush. There may be a flat filter underneath too. Clean everything, replace.
- 4
Bail out standing water
Use a cup or turkey baster to remove the water at the bottom (otherwise it'll splash everywhere when you pull the dishwasher out). Pour into the sink.
- 5
Check the drain hose under the sink
Open the cabinet under your sink. Find the drain hose (loops up high, then to disposal or air gap). Look for kinks or pinches. Should make a smooth high loop.
When to Call a Pro
- →Disposal works, air gap clean, filter clean, hose unkinked — but dishwasher still won't drain
- →Pump makes loud noise or smells burnt
- →Water leaks onto the floor during the cycle (separate problem)
- →Built-in or premium dishwasher (Miele, Bosch, KitchenAid) — pumps are model-specific
Typical cost
$60 diagnostic. Filter / hose fixes $120–$180. Drain pump replacement $200–$320.
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