Dishwasher Not Draining Water
Beyond repair — restoring peak performance. This guide will help you understand the causes, check for simple solutions, and know when professional service is needed.
Common Symptoms
You may be experiencing one or more of these symptoms:
- Standing water in bottom after cycle
- Water backing up during drain
- Gurgling sounds from drain
- Water draining very slowly
- Error code displayed
Possible Causes
Our specialized approach ensures our experience, these are the most common causes ranked by likelihood:
Clogged filter/trap
Most LikelyFood debris accumulated in filter prevents drainage.
Garbage disposal connection blocked
Most LikelyDisposal knockout plug not removed or disposal clogged.
Kinked drain hose
PossibleHose bent or compressed blocks water flow.
Drain pump failure
PossiblePump motor or impeller damaged.
Air gap clogged
PossibleIf installed, air gap may be obstructed.
Control board issue
Less CommonBoard not signaling pump to run.
What You Can Check
Before calling for service, try these safe checks that may resolve the issue:
- 1
Clean the filter
Remove bottom rack, locate and clean filter/trap assembly.
- 2
Run garbage disposal
Clear disposal completely; water drains through it.
- 3
Check drain hose
Inspect under sink for kinks or compression.
- 4
Clean air gap
If present on counter, remove cap and clear debris.
- 5
Check for large debris
Look for items like broken glass blocking pump.
When to Call a Professional
Contact a certified technician if:
- Cleaning filter doesn't resolve issue
- Drain pump makes no sound
- Water backs up into sink
- Error codes persist after reset
- Pump needs replacement
Prevention Tips
Help prevent this issue from occurring in the future:
- Scrape dishes before loading
- Clean filter weekly
- Run disposal before dishwasher
- Don't overload with large items blocking spray
- Run hot water in sink before starting cycle
Arizona Climate Consideration
Arizona's extreme heat, monsoon humidity, and hard water can contribute to this and other appliance issues. Our technicians understand these local factors and can provide recommendations specific to desert climate conditions. Regular maintenance is especially important in Arizona to prevent premature component wear.
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