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Fix a dishwasher that will not drain

We'll confirm the symptom, check the drain hose and filter, clear clogs, then isolate pump or drain-path issues—or tell you when to call a pro.

Troubleshooting · Home appliances
15–45 min
What you'll need
  • Screwdriver set (Phillips and flathead)
  • Multimeter (optional, for pump continuity test)
  • Replacement drain pump (if tests show a fault)
Step 1 of 8

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Steps

Goal: Confirm the symptom, check the drain path, then isolate pump or plumbing issues.

Check drain hose and filter

Goal: Rule out hose kinks, clogs, and filter blockage before opening the dishwasher.

  • Pull the dishwasher out or access the drain hose under the sink. Inspect the hose for kinks, pinches, or bends. Confirm the hose has a high loop—it should rise above the flood rim of the sink before dropping to the drain or garbage disposal.
  • Disconnect the drain hose from the drain or garbage disposal. Hold it over a bucket and run a drain cycle briefly. If water flows freely, the hose is clear. If not, clear the hose with a drain snake or run water backward through it.
  • Remove and clean the filter in the tub bottom. Rinse it under running water and remove any stuck food. Reinstall.
  • Good: Hose is clear and filter is clean. Proceed to Check garbage disposal and sink drain.
  • Bad: Hose is severely kinked or clogged—clear it first. If the dishwasher drains after clearing, you are done.

Check garbage disposal and sink drain

Goal: Confirm the sink drain or garbage disposal is not blocked and the knockout plug is removed.

  • If the dishwasher drains into a garbage disposal, look inside the disposal where the dishwasher hose connects. If you see a plastic knockout plug covering the port, remove it with a screwdriver and hammer—punch it inward into the disposal, then remove the pieces.
  • Run the garbage disposal (if present) and run water down the sink drain. If it backs up, the blockage is in the house plumbing.
  • Good: Water drains freely. Proceed to Pump path.
  • Bad: Sink drain is blocked. See how-to-unclog-drain or call a plumber.

Pump path

Goal: Inspect and test the drain pump; clear clogs or replace if faulty.

  • Unplug the dishwasher. Access the pump per your model—often behind the toe kick or under the tub. Check your owner’s manual or search “[brand] [model] dishwasher service manual” for disassembly steps.
  • Remove the pump inlet hose and check for food, glass, or debris. Clear any blockage. Spin the impeller by hand—it should turn freely.
  • If the pump is clear but the impeller is seized or makes grinding noise, the pump has failed. Test for continuity with a multimeter if your pump has electrical connections. No continuity or seized impeller means replace the pump.
  • Replace the drain pump with a matching part (match the part number). Reassemble and run a drain cycle.
  • Good: The tub empties and no error codes.
  • Bad: All checks pass but it still does not drain—call a technician.

When to get help

Call an appliance technician if:

  • Water backs up into the room (plumbing or severe blockage).
  • You hear grinding or burning from the pump area (pump failure or motor issue).
  • You have cleared the hose and filter and it still does not drain and you are not comfortable accessing the pump.
  • The dishwasher shows error codes you cannot resolve.

Do not ignore water backup—it can cause flooding.

Verification

  • The tub empties completely after the drain phase of a cycle.
  • No standing water in the tub when the cycle completes.
  • No error codes or unusual noises from the pump.
  • The drain hose and filter are clear and the dishwasher drains consistently.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Confirm symptom Verify the dishwasher runs but water stays in the tub; rule out fill or start problems.
  2. Drain hose and filter Check hose for kinks, clogs, and high loop; clear the filter.
  3. Garbage disposal and sink drain Check knockout plug and sink drain; unclog or call a plumber if needed.
  4. Pump inspection Clear pump inlet of debris; test impeller and continuity; replace pump if faulty.
  5. Call a pro Water backup, grinding noise, or repeated failures—call an appliance technician.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • Dishwasher model and brand
  • Whether the drain hose is kinked or clogged
  • Whether the filter was cleared
  • Garbage disposal knockout status (if applicable)
  • Sink drain test result
  • Pump impeller and continuity test results
  • Steps already tried

Does the dishwasher run but water stays in the tub?

Run a normal wash cycle. Confirm the dishwasher fills, washes, then stops with water still in the tub. If the dishwasher does not fill or run, that is a different problem.

Run a normal wash cycle. Confirm the dishwasher fills and washes, then stops with water still in the tub. Good: water remains after the drain phase—drain fault. Bad: dishwasher does not fill or run—see fix-dishwasher-will-not-fill or fix-dishwasher-will-not-start.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Is the drain hose clear and does it have a high loop?

Check for kinks, clogs, and a high loop above the flood rim of the sink. Clear the filter.

Inspect the drain hose for kinks and confirm it has a high loop above the sink flood rim. Disconnect the hose and run a drain cycle briefly over a bucket—water should flow. Clear the filter in the tub bottom. Good: hose clear and filter clean. Bad: hose clogged or kinked—clear it first.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Clear hose and filter, then retest

Clear the drain hose of kinks and debris. Clean the filter. Reconnect and run a drain cycle. If it drains, you are done. If not, proceed to sink drain check.

Done

Does the sink drain or garbage disposal accept water?

The dishwasher drains into the sink drain or garbage disposal. If that is blocked, the dishwasher cannot drain.

Run the garbage disposal (if present) and run water down the sink drain. If it backs up, the blockage is in the house plumbing—see how-to-unclog-drain or call a plumber. If the dishwasher connects to a disposal, check that the knockout plug was removed. Good: water drains freely. Bad: sink drain blocked—unclog or call a plumber.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Is the pump inlet clear and does the impeller spin?

The pump moves water from the tub to the drain. A clogged inlet or seized impeller prevents drainage.

Unplug the dishwasher. Access the drain pump per your model. Remove the pump inlet hose and check for food, glass, or debris. Clear any blockage. Spin the impeller by hand—it should turn freely. Clogged or seized: clear or replace pump. Clear and spins: test pump continuity or replace if still not draining.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Does the pump have continuity?

Test the pump with a multimeter. No continuity means the pump motor has failed.

Test the pump for continuity with a multimeter. If no continuity, replace the pump. If continuity is good but the dishwasher still does not drain, the pump may be partially failed—replace it. Reassemble and test.

Done

Replace pump and test

Replace the drain pump with a matching part (match the part number). Reassemble per your model. Run a drain cycle. The tub should empty. If it still does not drain, call a technician.

Done

Call a technician

Call an appliance technician if: water backs up into the room; you hear grinding or burning from the pump area; you have cleared the hose and filter and it still does not drain and you are not comfortable accessing the pump; or the dishwasher shows error codes you cannot resolve. Do not ignore water backup—it can cause flooding.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why would a dishwasher not drain?
Common causes: a kinked or clogged drain hose, a blocked filter, a failed drain pump, or a garbage disposal knockout still in place. Check the hose and filter first, then the pump.
Can I fix a dishwasher that will not drain myself?
Yes. Most drain issues are hose or filter clogs you can clear with basic tools. Replacing the drain pump is possible on many models if you are comfortable with disassembly. If water backs up into the room or you hear grinding, call a technician.
When should I call a technician for a dishwasher that will not drain?
Call a technician if water backs up into the room, you hear grinding or burning from the pump area, you have cleared the hose and filter and it still does not drain, or you are not comfortable disassembling the dishwasher to access the pump.

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