Dishwasher Not Draining? Here's What's Actually Wrong

Standing water at the bottom of the tub after a cycle finishes is one of the most common dishwasher complaints we hear, and the good news is that it almost always comes down to one of three causes.

Check the Filter First

Most modern dishwashers have a removable filter at the bottom of the tub, usually a twist-out cylinder or grate. Food debris builds up here over time and can restrict drainage before it ever reaches the pump. This is the easiest cause to rule out yourself — pull the filter, rinse it under the tap, and run a short cycle to see if drainage improves.

The Drain Hose Can Kink or Clog

The hose running from the dishwasher to the garbage disposal or drain line can develop a kink, especially if the dishwasher was moved or reinstalled at some point. It can also clog with the same debris that clogs a kitchen sink drain. If you’ve recently had disposal work done, air can get trapped in the line and cause similar symptoms.

A Failed Drain Pump Is the Less Common but Real Possibility

If the filter is clean and the hose isn’t kinked, the drain pump itself may have failed — either the motor has burned out or the impeller is jammed with a small object like a piece of glass or a fruit pit. This is the one cause on this list that requires a replacement part rather than a cleanup, and it’s worth having a technician confirm before you order anything, since pump symptoms can look identical to a control board issue that sends the wrong signal to the pump.

When to Call for Repair

If cleaning the filter doesn’t fix it, or if you hear the dishwasher attempting to drain (a humming or grinding sound) without water actually leaving the tub, that points to the pump or a deeper blockage worth having a technician diagnose rather than guessing further.

BST Repair Service repairs dishwashers throughout San Fernando Valley, Glendale, and the surrounding area. See our dishwasher repair page for pricing, or call (818) 408-4644 to schedule.