Dishwasher Not Draining Properly? Six Potential Causes
You load the dishes, start the wash cycle, and expect them to come out satisfyingly clean at the end. But instead, you open the door and… there it is, water in the bottom of the machine. If you’ve been asking yourself, “Why is my dishwasher not draining—again?” it may be time to look for a long-term solution.
While this issue might seem like a minor inconvenience at first, when your dishwasher does not fully drain, it can quickly snowball into bigger problems, like lingering smells, cloudy dishes, and extra effort spent washing dishes by hand—you know, the job your machine was supposed to do in the first place.
What Would Cause a Dishwasher Not to Drain?
When your dishwasher doesn’t drain properly, it’s usually a sign that something is interrupting the flow of water, such as a blockage, buildup, or a faulty component. The result? Water sticks around when it shouldn’t. And that leftover moisture can lead to odors, bacterial growth, and dishes that need to be re-washed by hand.
If this issue only pops up every once in a while, it might just be the occasional food gremlin getting caught in the drain. But if you find yourself searching “how to unclog a dishwasher” more often than not, it’s something worth looking into. Here are six potential reasons why your dishwasher won’t drain:
1. A Clogged Dishwasher Filter or Basket
Your dishwasher filter is designed to catch food particles and grease, preventing them from recirculating onto your dishes or clogging the drain pump. But when your filter or sump basket gets too full, it can restrict water flow. Fortunately, if you’re the DIY type, your dishwasher’s owner’s manual may include instructions for removing and cleaning the filter.
2. An Obstructed or Kinked Drain Hose
The drain hose plays a key role in moving wastewater away from your dishwasher, connecting the machine’s drain to your sink or garbage disposal. If it becomes blocked, twisted, or restricted, water may not exit your washer as it should.
3. A Blocked Sink Drain or Garbage Disposal
Dishwashers typically don’t have a dedicated drain. Instead, they drain their water into your sink’s drainpipe or garbage disposal. So, if you have a blockage in your disposal or sink drain, it can impact your dishwasher’s ability to drain. Depending on where the blockage is in your sink pipes or garbage disposal, water from the dishwasher may even back up into your sink.
Rent-A-Center Recommendation: Don’t pour cooking oil into your sink. No matter how much hot water or dish soap you chase it with, it can congeal in your pipes and cause blockages.
4. Air Gap Blockages
If your kitchen’s plumbing includes an air gap cylinder, it helps prevent dirty sink water from flowing back into your dishwasher. To do so, it separates the garbage disposal or sink drain from your machine’s drain hose with a pocket of unpressurized air. Since water can’t pass through that air pocket, dirty water from the sink isn’t allowed to flow into the dishwasher, despite being connected to the same overall drain. When an air gap is blocked, water may flow out onto your counter, or standing water may remain in the bottom of the dishwasher.
5. Drain Pump Issues
Your dishwasher’s drain pump is responsible for (you guessed it) pumping water out of the machine. If it’s worn down or not functioning properly, your washer may struggle to drain at all. A failing drain pump can also overheat, resulting in a burning or smoky smell, and is often accompanied by grinding or other unpleasant mechanical sounds.
While this may not be the most common culprit of drainage problems, since it typically occurs in older or heavily used machines, it’s one of the more serious ones on this list and typically requires professional repair or replacement.
6. General Wear and Tear
Like any appliance, dishwashers experience wear and tear. Parts like hoses, pumps, and seals can degrade over time. So, sometimes, the culprit behind your drainage woes isn’t a single thing, but rather, the age of the machine itself.
A professional can check the drain components and repair or replace them as needed. However, if your dishwasher is older and struggles to drain consistently, it may no longer be keeping up with your daily needs. And while you may be able to fix the draining issue for now, who knows what issue will pop up next? In cases like these, it might be time to upgrade to something newer.
Tired of Your Dishwasher Not Draining Properly?
If you’re dealing with standing water, repeat cycles, or dishes that just don’t feel clean, it may be time for something more reliable. Rent-A-Center can help you find a dishwasher that works the way it should, so your kitchen routine feels easy again. Shop online or stop by your nearest location today!