Dishwasher Not Draining: Causes and Fixes

A dishwasher that won't drain is usually clogged, not broken. The most common causes are a dirty filter, a kinked or clogged drain hose, a blocked garbage disposer or air gap, and on a new install, a disposer knockout plug that was never removed. If all of those are clear, the drain pump itself may have failed.

Before you start: power and water off

Unplug the dishwasher or switch off its circuit breaker before reaching into the tub. Whirlpool gives that as the first step before inspecting a dishwasher. If you need to look under the tub or behind the kick panel at the bottom front, also close the dishwasher's water supply valve. GE says it is usually under the kitchen sink on the line that feeds the dishwasher and turns clockwise to close; if there is no working valve, shut the main water supply to the house.

Have towels and a cup or small container ready. Amana and Maytag both say to bail out standing water before removing the filter.

What to check yourself, in order

1. Clean the filter and sump

This is the first step on almost every brand's troubleshooting page. Bosch says food debris in the filter or drain pump is the most common cause of a dishwasher not draining. GE says to clean the fine and ultra fine filters and clear the sump. Twist out the filter at the bottom of the tub, rinse it under the tap, scrub the mesh gently, and clear any food, glass or seeds from the sump area underneath.

A little water in the sump can be normal. GE notes some water sitting in the sump is expected on its ultra fine filter models. A tub with water above the filter after a cycle is not.

2. Check the garbage disposer

Many dishwashers drain through the disposer. Run the disposer to clear it before starting a cycle. Samsung says to clear the sink drain and disposer first.

If the dishwasher or disposer was just installed, check the knockout plug. GE's installation instructions say the disposer's drain plug must be knocked out before connecting the dishwasher, and if it stays in, the dishwasher will not drain.

3. Inspect the drain hose

Look under the sink for a hose that is kinked, crushed or pinched, often from items stored in the cabinet. GE's installation instructions call for the drain hose to run in a high loop or through an air gap so dirty water can't siphon back into the tub; GE specifies a loop at least 32 inches high, and an air gap where local code requires it or when the drain connection sits less than 18 inches above the floor.

4. Clean the air gap

If there is a small chrome or plastic cap on the counter or sink edge, that is the air gap. Pull off the cover and clear any debris. A clogged air gap often shows up as water spilling out of it into the sink.

5. Run a drain cycle

Restore power and water, then run a short cycle or the drain/cancel function. If it drains, you are done.

What a technician tests next

If the filter, disposer, hose and air gap are all clear and the tub still holds water, the problem is usually inside the machine. A technician typically checks:

• Drain pump. They look for debris jammed in the impeller and test whether the pump gets power and runs. A pump that hums but doesn't move water is often blocked or failed.
• Drain path inside the unit. Clogs can form in the sump or the internal hose before it leaves the machine.
• Control board and wiring. If the pump isn't getting power, the problem may be upstream in the wiring or control.
• Door latch and switch. Most dishwashers won't run a normal cycle, including the drain, if the door isn't detected as closed.

Don't take apart the pump or test wiring yourself. It involves live electrical connections and water lines under the tub.

Drain error codes

Many dishwashers show a code when the tub doesn't empty in time. Examples from manufacturer support pages include E24 and E25 on Bosch, OE on LG, F9E1 on KitchenAid, Maytag and Amana, and 5C, SC, 5E or SE on Samsung. These codes point you to the drain checks above. They don't automatically mean the pump has failed. Brand-specific guides cover each in more detail: Bosch, Whirlpool, GE and Samsung.

KitchenAid dishwasher not draining

KitchenAid's troubleshooting guide says to start by cleaning food buildup out of the filter. Most KitchenAid models use a two-part manual filter, an upper assembly and a lower filter, that has to be removed and rinsed by hand. KitchenAid recommends cleaning it every three to six months on average, and more often if you run heavy loads without pre-rinsing. Select models with the Advanced Clean Water Wash System use a maintenance-free microfiltration setup with a cup that catches hard objects; empty that cup if it is full.

On a newly installed KitchenAid, the brand says to confirm the disposer knockout plug is out, the disposer is clear, and the drain hose has a high loop or air gap with no pinches or sharp bends. KitchenAid calls for the drain hose to loop at least 20 inches above the floor, or to run through an air gap if it connects lower.

If your KitchenAid shows F9E1, that is its long drain code: the dishwasher is not draining in time. KitchenAid's fix is to clean the filter and check the drain hose, disposer and air gap. If the code keeps returning after those checks, it is time for a technician. Our KitchenAid dishwasher repair page lists local companies. This site is an independent directory and is not affiliated with KitchenAid.

When to stop and call a pro

• The filter, disposer, hose and air gap are clear and the tub still won't empty.
• You hear the pump hum without draining, or hear nothing at all during the drain.
• A drain error code returns after a reset.
• Water is leaking onto the floor or under the cabinet.
• The unit drains, but only partly, and the problem keeps coming back.

What a drain repair costs

Fixr reports a drain pump replacement at $150 to $400, and a drain pump repair at $100 to $250. Fixr also reports a service call fee of $35 to $100, which is often credited toward the repair. If your dishwasher is old and needs other work too, compare the total to replacement. See our dishwasher repair cost guide and repair or replace guide.

To find a technician, search our dishwasher repair directory or browse by state.