Dishwasher Not Draining? 6 Checks to Do Before You Call

If water is left in the bottom of your dishwasher, clean the filter, run the garbage disposal, check that a new disposal's knockout plug was removed, clear the air gap on the sink, and make sure the drain hose isn't kinked. If the dishwasher hums but doesn't drain, or is silent at the drain step, the drain pump is usually jammed or failed and needs a technician.

6 checks you can do safely

1. Clean the filter. Twist out the cylindrical filter at the bottom of the tub and rinse it and the area underneath.
2. Run the disposal. The dishwasher often drains into the disposal; run it first to clear the shared drain.
3. New disposal?. If a disposal was just installed, the knockout plug inside the dishwasher inlet may still be in place.
4. Clear the air gap. If there's a small chrome cap behind the faucet, pull it off and clean out debris.
5. Check the drain hose. Under the sink, make sure the hose isn't kinked or crushed behind the dishwasher.
6. Look for glass. With power off, broken glass or a pit in the sump can jam the pump impeller.

When to call a technician

• The pump hums but no water moves, or there's no drain sound at all.
• Water drains back into the dishwasher from the sink.
• A drain error code (Bosch E24/E25 and similar) returns after cleaning the filter.

Stay safe

Unplug the appliance (or switch off its breaker) before touching anything inside it, and never open a sealed refrigeration system, a gas valve or a microwave. If a code points to a part, the part has to be tested before it is replaced; we do that on the $75 diagnostic visit, credited toward the repair.

Frequently asked questions

Is it normal to have a little water in the bottom?

A small amount around the filter is normal on many models; an inch or more is not.

Can hard water cause drain problems?

Scale and grease build-up narrow the drain path over time; monthly cleaning cycles help.

How much does a dishwasher drain pump cost to replace?

Typically $200–$350 in Las Vegas, parts and labor.

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• Garbage Disposal Not Working? 5 Safe Checks
• Trash Compactor Not Working? 5 Checks to Do Before You Call

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