Dishwasher Not Draining: Why Water Stands in the Bottom and How to Clear It

Water standing in the bottom of a dishwasher after a cycle usually means something in the drain path is blocked. Whirlpool's troubleshooting guide, which KitchenAid and Maytag publish word for word under their own names, lists a clogged filter, debris in the sump, a kinked or blocked drain hose, a problem at the garbage disposal or sink connection, and a jammed drain pump; less often, it says, a timer or control board interrupts the drain. A little water can be normal: GE Appliances says one to two cups left in the tub is.

The pump pushes water through a hose to the sink drain, an air gap, or a disposal, Whirlpool explains, so the cause can be under the sink as easily as inside the tub. If the sink itself drains slowly, see slow or clogged drain; if the disposal hums, won't turn on, or leaks, see garbage disposal not working.

Most Likely Causes

1. The cycle isn't finished, or it was interrupted. Frigidaire says to make sure the cycle is complete, not paused. GE says opening the door pauses a cycle, and Bosch's manual says a cycle stops if the power or water supply is interrupted, and that water is left when the program hasn't ended.
2. A clogged filter or sump. Bosch calls food debris in the filter or pump the most common reason a dishwasher stops draining. GE says to check that no paper or large object covers the sump at the back of the tub, and to clear out noodles, lettuce, or bones. Some models have a self-cleaning filter instead: GE says these usually have no removable filter, and LG says its system grinds food into small particles. Samsung says to clear the area of food and debris either way.
3. A new garbage disposal's knockout plug. InSinkErator's manual says the plug in a disposal's dishwasher inlet must be removed when a dishwasher is connected, or the dishwasher may overflow. Whirlpool calls a forgotten plug a common misdiagnosis and says it blocks drainage completely; Bosch, Frigidaire, LG, and Samsung list it too. Suspect it if the dishwasher hasn't drained since a disposal went in.
4. A clogged disposal or sink drain. Samsung says the sink's drain can be the real cause, and to make sure a disposal is clear of food waste and not clogged.
5. A kinked, crushed, or clogged drain hose. Right after installation, Samsung says, the most common cause is a dishwasher sitting on its own drain hose. LG says heavy objects under the sink can crush or kink it, and GE says reusing an old, worn hose may promote kinking or a blockage.
6. No high loop, or a clogged air gap. Without one or the other, Samsung says, water may flow back into the dishwasher and fail to drain. GE describes the air gap as a chrome cylinder on the back of the sink, part of the plumbing, and notes that not every plumbing code requires one.
7. Too many suds. GE says the wrong detergent, or too much, can cause over-sudsing that keeps a dishwasher from draining, and Whirlpool notes that dish soap makes suds and dishwasher detergent doesn't. Its fix: turn the dishwasher off, let the suds die down, and use only automatic dishwasher detergent.
8. A jammed or failed drain pump, or a control fault. Whirlpool's clues: a steady hum with no water moving points to a jammed impeller; grinding can mean glass or other hard debris in the pump; water up near the door suggests a severe blockage or a pump that isn't running; and no pump sound at all suggests an electrical or control problem, such as the door switch, wiring, or control board.

What You Can Fix Yourself

Work in this order and run a short cycle after each step. Whirlpool also says to shut off the water at the valve under the sink before you start; see our shutoffs guide.

Step 1: Finish or Cancel the Cycle

Close the door firmly and let a paused cycle finish, or cancel it so it drains; the buttons vary, so check your manual. GE's owner's manual says to hold Start for 3 seconds and close the door. Bosch's manual says to hold the reset button about 4 seconds, and the leftover water is pumped out. Frigidaire says to hold Cancel for 5 to 10 seconds, then start a new cycle to drain. LG says to use Cancel & Drain if your model has it; if not, run a cycle for 45 seconds and turn it off, since the first 45 seconds on its models is drain only. If a drain error won't clear, Whirlpool says to unplug the dishwasher or switch off its breaker for 30 seconds to reset the control.

Step 2: Bail Out the Water and Clean the Filter

With the power off, lay towels down, bail the water into a bucket with a cup, and use a turkey baster on the sump, the recessed well by the filter, as Whirlpool describes. Take out the lower rack and the filter; Whirlpool, GE, and LG filters twist counterclockwise, but follow your manual. Rinse it under warm water with a soft brush; Whirlpool says abrasive pads can damage the mesh. Check the sump with a flashlight for labels, seeds, toothpicks, or glass, and lift them out carefully. Reseat the filter until it locks; Samsung warns that parts left out or inserted incorrectly can cause drain errors.

Bosch's manual for its SHE53B75UC goes one step further: with the power disconnected and the filters out, pry off the pump cover with a spoon, remove anything around the impeller, watching for glass, and press the cover back until it clicks. Bosch says a blocked pump, or a loose or missing cover, sets off its E25 error. On other brands, stop at the sump unless your manual shows how to open the pump.

Step 3: Run the Disposal and Test the Sink

If the dishwasher drains into a disposal, run it: InSinkErator says cold water first, then the disposal. Whirlpool says to start a drain cycle on the dishwasher once the disposal is clear. If the disposal hums or won't start, fix that first with our disposal guide. Then run the sink for about 30 seconds, as Samsung suggests. If it doesn't drain, Samsung says the problem is the home's plumbing, not the dishwasher. Whirlpool says clearing the trap or tailpiece often solves it; our clogged drain guide covers that without chemicals.

Step 4: Remove the Knockout Plug After a New Disposal

Unplug the disposal or switch off its breaker; InSinkErator says to disconnect power before servicing one. Whirlpool's steps: loosen the clamp and pull the drain hose off the disposal's dishwasher inlet over a pan, knock the plug into the disposal with a hammer and screwdriver, remove it with needle-nose pliers, and clamp the hose back on. InSinkErator says never to put fingers or hands into a disposal. LG says an installer or a plumber should remove it, so call one if you'd rather not.

Step 5: Check the Drain Hose and High Loop

Follow the hose from the dishwasher to the sink and straighten any kink, crushed section, or sag, as Whirlpool and LG describe. For a clog, Whirlpool says to detach the hose at the disposal or tailpiece, flush it with warm water, and work a stubborn clog loose with a flexible plastic line or a dishwasher-safe brush, never a sharp tool; then tighten the clamp snugly, not too tight. Without an air gap, the hose needs a high loop fastened under the counter: GE and Frigidaire say at least 32 inches above the floor, and GE says to match your installation instructions. Samsung says a hose too damaged to straighten needs service.

Step 6: Clean the Air Gap

GE's steps: turn the dishwasher off, lift off the chrome cover, unscrew the plastic cap, clear out the buildup, and check the hose from the air gap to the sink drain or disposal. LG suggests a toothpick or brush, then hot water poured in with a turkey baster. If water spills from the air gap into the sink during a drain, Whirlpool says the blockage is downstream, in that hose or the sink plumbing.

When to Call a Pro

• An appliance repair technician when the filter, hose, disposal, and air gap are clear and it still won't drain; when it hums, grinds, or makes no pump sound; or when a drain error keeps returning. Whirlpool says technicians can isolate pump, valve, wiring, or control problems, and LG says a persistent error means a part may be faulty. The same goes for Whirlpool's warning signs: a burning smell, damaged wiring, repeated breaker trips (see resetting a breaker safely), or a hard-wired unit you aren't comfortable opening.
• A licensed plumber when the sink fails Samsung's 30-second test, which GE's manual also flags as a plumber call; when the clog is past the trap in the branch drain; or when a drain line has frozen and won't thaw, as Samsung advises.
• The installer or a plumber to remove a knockout plug, as LG advises, or to add a missing high loop or air gap; Samsung recommends professional installation so local rules are followed.

Prevent It

• Scrape plates before loading, as Whirlpool advises.
• Clean the filter often. Bosch's manual says to check it after each cycle; GE says every other month or more, depending on use; LG says after each load for best results and at least monthly in hard water.
• Run the disposal first. GE says to always run it before starting the dishwasher.
• Use detergent made for automatic dishwashers, GE says, not dish soap.
• Check under the sink after plumbing work. Whirlpool says to confirm the high loop after under-sink work or a disposal replacement, and to clean the air gap cap now and then.
• Dry up water. Bosch says not to let wet areas remain around or under the dishwasher. A leak sensor at its front edge catches what you miss.

If an older dishwasher keeps needing parts, our appliance lifespan chart helps you weigh repair against replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it normal to have water in the bottom of the dishwasher?

A little. GE Appliances says one to two cups is normal; on its models with an Ultra Fine filter, water in the filter area is normal but shouldn't cover the tub's bottom. If dirty water builds up over time and there's no air gap, GE says to make sure the hose has a high loop.

How do I force my dishwasher to drain?

Cancel the cycle as your manual says (Step 1 lists GE, Bosch, Frigidaire, and LG). If it still won't drain, cut the power, bail out the water, and clean the filter.

Can I use a drain cleaner in my dishwasher?

No. GE says chemical drain cleaners should never be used in a dishwasher for any reason, and Whirlpool says they can damage components and create safety hazards.

Why is water coming out of the air gap?

Whirlpool says it means the blockage is downstream: in the hose from the air gap to the drain or in the sink plumbing. Clean the air gap, run the disposal, check for a knockout plug, and test the sink.

The Bottom Line

Let the cycle finish or cancel it, cut the power, bail out the water, and clean the filter. Then run the disposal, test the sink, and check the knockout plug, hose, high loop, and air gap. Never reach into a disposal or pour drain cleaner into the tub. A humming or silent pump, or an error that keeps returning, goes to an appliance technician; a sink that won't drain goes to a plumber.

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