Why is my dishwasher not draining?

Wondering what's going on in there?

How your dishwasher drains, in plain English

A dishwasher is like a shower that has to drain into your kitchen sink. It sprays water, then it has to get rid of all of it.

The dirty water's trip: the bottom of the tub, through the filter, pushed by the pump up the hose, over the high loop, and down into the disposal or sink drain.

Here's that trip, step by step:

Water falls to the bottom. After it sprays the dishes, the water collects in a low bowl in the floor of the dishwasher. Pros call it the sump.
The filter catches food. It's a strainer, like the one you drain pasta in. It keeps food from jamming the pump.
The drain pump pushes the water out. It's a small motor under the tub. Think of it as a straw sucking the water away.
The drain hose climbs up, then down. The bendy hose rises up under your counter (the high loop) or through a small chrome cap on the counter (the air gap). This stops dirty sink water from flowing back in.
The water empties into your sink drain, usually through the garbage disposal.

A clog or a broken part anywhere along that path leaves water sitting in the bottom. The questions at the top check the easy end first: the sink, then the filter, then the pump.

Dishes clean but still wet? See our guide to a dishwasher that's not drying.

Who to call

Rather not do it yourself? Call an appliance repair tech.

That's a fine choice. Maybe you're busy. Maybe you're selling the house and just want it done right. An appliance repair tech can clear it out or swap a bad drain pump.

$75–$175Clear the filter and sump

$150–$400New drain pump

Most repair companies charge $60–$150 to come out, and many put that toward the repair.

Find dishwasher repair near you

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What to say

Calling a pro? Here's what to say.

A few lines to read when they pick up, and the questions to ask before anyone comes out.

Before you call

Under a year old? Call the maker first.

Store protection plan? Call them first.

4.5 stars or more, and works on your brand.

Say this

Hi. My dishwasher isn't draining. There's water sitting in the bottom. When's the soonest you can get here? And what's your fee for the visit? Does it go toward the repair?

Always ask

What's your fee to come out, and does it go toward the repair?
Do you work on my brand, and can you bring the likely part on the first visit?
Will you tell me the full price before you start any work?

Watch out if

They push a brand-new appliance on the first visit for a small problem.
They won't give you a price before starting.
They want you to pay for parts before they've found the problem.

Feeling pushed to decide on the spot? You can say no and hang up. You owe nothing for a phone call.

Know what's wrong before they come

Answer up to 5 quick questions. We'll give you the words a pro uses.

Answer the questions →

More of a list person?

Common symptoms, causes, tests and costs

Find the row that sounds like your dishwasher. The quick test is something you can check yourself in a few minutes.

What you notice	What it probably is	Quick test	Do it yourself	With a pro	Verdict
A small puddle around the filter	A little water is normal	Is it under an inch, only around the filter?	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: A little water is normal
Water left after the door was opened or the cycle was stopped	The cycle got cut short	Press Cancel or Drain, close the door, wait 2 minutes	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: The cycle got cut short
Kitchen sink drains slowly too	Your kitchen sink drain is clogged	Run the faucet. Does the sink drain slowly?	Free	$125–$300	FIXSee the answer: Your kitchen sink drain is clogged
Won't drain right after a new disposal was put in	The new disposal still has its plug in	Was the disposal installed recently?	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: The new disposal still has its plug in
Water spurts from the chrome cap on the counter	A clogged air gap	Look for water coming out of the cap by the faucet	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: A clogged air gap
Standing water, filter full of food	A clogged filter	Twist out the filter. Is it full of gunk?	Free	$75–$175	FIXSee the answer: A clogged filter
Hum but no draining; glass or a bone found	Something is stuck by the pump	Look under the filter for anything hard	Free	$75–$175	FIXSee the answer: Something is stuck by the pump
Drains slowly or only partway, with gurgling	A kinked or clogged drain hose	Look under the sink for a bent or flattened hose	Free	$100–$300	FIXSee the answer: A kinked or clogged drain hose
Hums or stays silent, and the water won't go down	The drain pump stopped working	Pour 2 cups in, run a drain, and listen	Pro job	$150–$400	CALLSee the answer: The drain pump stopped working
Error code, or no sound when it should drain	A control or sensor problem	Look for a blinking light or an error code	Pro job	$200–$600	CALLSee the answer: A control or sensor problem

2026 U.S. averages, rounded. Pro prices include parts and labor. Most repair companies charge $60–$150 to come out, and many put that toward the repair. Nights, weekends and big cities cost more. See all repair prices

Want proof the pump works?

The 2-cup test

This tells you whether the problem is a clog or the pump itself. No tools needed.

Scoop out the standing water and clean the filter first.
Pour 2 cups of water into the bottom.
Close the door and press Cancel or Drain.
Put your ear near the bottom of the door and listen for 2 minutes.

Water's gone: the pump works. The filter or a cut-short cycle was the problem.
Steady hum, water stays: the pump is trying but something is blocking it, or it's failing.
Gurgling, slow: the pump works, but the hose or sink drain is partly clogged.
No sound at all: the pump isn't getting power or has died. Call a pro.

Not sure it's safe to keep using?

Turn it off right away if…

Water is leaking onto the floor from under the door or the bottom panel.
You smell burning or see smoke. Turn off its breaker too.
The breaker flips off when the dishwasher runs.
It hums for a long time without draining. A jammed pump can burn out.

Running it again and again won't clear a clog, and it can turn a free fix into a new pump.

Got a big repair quote?

Should you repair it or replace it?

Most dishwasher repairs cost about $160–$300. Ask yourself three things before a big repair:

How old is it? Most dishwashers last about 8–10 years. Some last 15 or more.
Is it still under warranty? Most have a 1-year warranty from the maker. Some parts are covered longer, so check before you pay.
The half rule. If the repair costs more than half the price of a new dishwasher, replacing usually makes more sense. A new one installed often runs around $1,200.

Example: a $450 pump on a 9-year-old dishwasher is worth comparing with a new one. A $250 pump on a 4-year-old one is worth fixing.

Ran into a word you don't know?

Dishwasher words, explained

Tap through these before you go looking. The drawings show roughly what each part looks like.

Filter: A strainer at the bottom of the tub that catches food. Most twist out by hand. Clean it once a month.
Sump: The low bowl in the floor of the dishwasher where water collects before it drains.
Drain pump: A small motor under the tub that pushes dirty water out through the drain hose.
Drain hose: The bendy, ribbed plastic tube that carries water from the dishwasher to your sink pipes.
High loop: The drain hose rising up high under the counter before it drops to the drain. It stops dirty water from flowing back.
Air gap: A small chrome cap on the counter by the faucet. Some homes use it instead of a high loop.
Garbage disposal: The grinder under the sink drain. Most dishwashers drain into the side of it.
Knockout plug: A plastic plug inside a new disposal's dishwasher inlet. It has to be knocked out when the disposal is put in.
Model tag: A sticker with your model number, usually along the edge of the door or the side of the tub. Pros and parts stores ask for it.
Sink drain: The pipe under your kitchen sink. Your dishwasher shares it, so a sink clog stops the dishwasher too.
Breaker: A safety switch in your home's breaker box (the gray metal panel). Turning off the dishwasher's breaker cuts its power.
Error code: A short code like E24 or OE on the display. It hints at what the dishwasher thinks is wrong. Your manual explains it.

Still have questions?

Questions people ask most

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

A small puddle of water around the dishwasher's filter, under an inch, is normal on many models. Water that covers the floor of the tub is not.

Why does my dishwasher drain only partway?

A dishwasher that drains only partway usually has a clogged filter, a kinked or clogged drain hose, or a clogged air gap or sink drain. Too many suds from the wrong detergent can do it too. Whirlpool says a little water around the filter is normal, but more than that isn't. Start with the filter, then take the questions at the top.

Is a dishwasher that won't drain an emergency?

A dishwasher that won't drain is usually not an emergency. It becomes one if water is on the floor, you smell burning, or the breaker trips; then turn off its breaker. Otherwise, scoop out the water and try the free checks at the top before you run it again.

How do I make my dishwasher drain?

To make a dishwasher drain, close the door and press Cancel or Drain. On many models you hold Start or Cancel for about 3 seconds. Check your manual or the maker's website for your model.

Why won't my dishwasher drain after I put in a new garbage disposal?

New disposals come with a plastic plug where the dishwasher hose connects. If it wasn't knocked out during the install, the dishwasher can't drain.

Why is my dishwasher not draining when there's no clog?

If the filter, sink and hose are all clear, the drain pump or the control board is the likely cause. Listen during a drain: a hum points to the pump, and silence points to the pump or the board.

Can I pour drain cleaner in my dishwasher?

No, don't pour drain cleaner in a dishwasher. Chemical drain cleaners can damage the dishwasher's seals and hoses, and they can splash back. Clean the filter and plunge the sink instead.

Can using regular dish soap stop my dishwasher from draining?

Yes, regular dish soap can stop a dishwasher from draining. Hand dish soap makes a mountain of suds that can stop the dishwasher from draining and leak out the door. Only use detergent made for dishwashers.

Who do I call for a dishwasher that won't drain, a plumber or appliance repair?

Call an appliance repair tech if only the dishwasher won't drain and the sink drains fine. Call a plumber if the kitchen sink is slow or clogged too, or other drains back up, since the clog is in the house drain. A new disposal's knockout plug is a free fix either way.

How much does it cost to fix a dishwasher that won't drain?

Fixing a dishwasher that won't drain often costs nothing, if it's the filter, the sink or a cut-short cycle. A pro visit to clear a clog runs about $75–$175. A new drain pump runs about $150–$400.

How we built this

The questions follow the water's path backward, the same way an appliance tech works: what's in the tub, the cycle, the sink it drains into, the filter, then the pump. Each answer makes some causes more likely and others less likely.

Prices are 2026 national averages from published repair-cost guides, rounded. Your local prices will differ.

How we make money: some links go to parts stores that pay us a small commission, and some pro listings pay us when you call them. Verdicts come from the diagnosis, not from who pays more.