Dishwasher Not draining after cycle

If your dishwasher is leaving standing water at the bottom after a cycle, the most common causes are a clogged filter, a blocked drain hose, or a faulty drain pump. This guide walks you through inspecting and clearing each of these components in a safe, step-by-step order so you can get your dishwasher draining properly again without calling a technician.

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   Step 1: Disconnect Power and Gather Supplies

   Before touching anything inside the dishwasher, unplug it from the wall outlet or flip the dedicated circuit breaker in your electrical panel to the OFF position. Confirm the power is off by pressing the Start button — nothing should happen. Gather the supplies you will need: rubber gloves, a large sponge or turkey baster, a bucket, towels, a shallow pan, a flathead screwdriver, and a soft brush (an old toothbrush works great).

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   Step 2: Remove Standing Water from the Tub

   Open the dishwasher door and use a large sponge or turkey baster to remove as much standing water as possible from the bottom of the tub. Squeeze the water into a bucket and repeat until the floor of the tub is as dry as you can get it. Lay old towels around the base of the dishwasher on the floor to catch any drips during the repair.

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   Step 3: Remove and Clean the Dishwasher Filter

   The filter sits at the bottom of the dishwasher tub, usually in the back corner or center. Most filters have two parts: a cylindrical upper filter and a flat mesh lower filter. Twist the upper filter counterclockwise and lift it out, then lift out the flat filter beneath it. Rinse both pieces under warm running water. Use a soft brush or old toothbrush with a little dish soap to scrub away grease, food particles, and debris. Inspect the opening in the tub floor where the filter was sitting and wipe it clean with a damp cloth. Reinstall the filters in reverse order — flat filter first, then twist the cylindrical filter clockwise until it locks.

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   Step 4: Check the Drain Area for Debris

   With the filter removed (before you reinstall it), shine a flashlight into the drain cavity at the bottom of the tub. Look for broken glass, food chunks, a twist-tie, a bone fragment, or any other debris that may be blocking the drain opening. Use needle-nose pliers or your fingers (with gloves on) to carefully pull out any obstructions. Never reach blindly into the drain with bare fingers — sharp debris may be present.

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   Step 5: Inspect and Clear the Drain Hose

   The drain hose carries water from the dishwasher pump to your sink drain or garbage disposal. First, check the connection point under your sink where the hose meets the sink drain or disposal. Make sure the hose is not kinked or sharply bent. If you recently installed a garbage disposal, confirm that the drain knock-out plug inside the disposal inlet has been removed — this is a very common overlooked step. To check for a clog in the hose itself, disconnect the hose from the sink drain or disposal (have your shallow pan ready to catch drips), and try blowing gently through the hose. If air does not pass through freely, the hose is clogged. Run water through the hose to flush the blockage, or use a long flexible brush to clear it.

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   Step 6: Test the Garbage Disposal (If Applicable)

   If your dishwasher drains into a garbage disposal, run the disposal for 30 seconds with the water on to clear any food buildup inside it. A full or clogged disposal can back up into the dishwasher drain line. After running the disposal, feel around the connection point on the side of the disposal where the dishwasher hose attaches and confirm it is secure and not leaking.

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   Step 7: Inspect the Drain Pump

   If cleaning the filter and clearing the hose did not solve the problem, the drain pump may be clogged or faulty. The drain pump is located underneath the dishwasher. Carefully tip the dishwasher back (get a helper for this) or pull it out from under the counter to access the bottom. Look for the pump housing — it is usually a small round or oval component connected to the drain hose. With power still OFF, disconnect the pump housing cover if accessible and look for debris lodged in the impeller (the small spinning blade inside the pump). Remove any debris with needle-nose pliers. Spin the impeller by hand — it should move freely. If it is locked in place or damaged, the pump needs to be replaced.

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   Step 8: Reassemble and Run a Test Cycle

   Once you have cleaned the filter, cleared any debris, confirmed the drain hose is unobstructed and properly looped, and checked the pump, reassemble everything in reverse order. Push the dishwasher back into place and reconnect power by plugging it in or flipping the breaker back ON. Run a short wash cycle or use a dedicated drain cycle if your model has one. Stay nearby and watch for leaks under the sink and around the base of the dishwasher. When the cycle finishes, open the door and check that the bottom of the tub is dry.

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   Step 9: Know When to Call a Professional

   If you have completed all of the steps above and the dishwasher is still not draining, the drain pump motor may have failed electrically, the control board may not be sending the signal to drain, or there may be a wiring issue. These repairs require a multimeter to test components and some disassembly of internal electronics. At this point, contacting a certified appliance repair technician is the safest and most cost-effective next step. Have your dishwasher's model and serial number ready — you can usually find them on a sticker inside the door frame.