Why Your Dishwasher Isn't Draining

Opening your dishwasher to find a pool of murky, standing water at the bottom is a common and frustrating issue. This happens when the appliance cannot push the wastewater out into your household plumbing, usually due to a physical blockage in the filters or hoses.

The Dishwasher Drainage Path

Wastewater must pass through the fine mesh filter in the base, travel through the drain pump impeller, and be pushed up the corrugated drain hose into your sink's plumbing. A blockage at any single point in this path will leave water stranded in the tub.

Common causes

  • Main filter assembly clogged with food debris or fat
  • Drain pump impeller jammed by broken glass or a fruit pit
  • Drain hose kinked behind the appliance
  • Sink plumbing spigot blocked (where the hose connects)
  • Air gap blockage (if applicable to your plumbing)

Safe first checks

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Safety warning

Always unplug the dishwasher before attempting to remove water or inspect the pump area. Wear thick rubber gloves when checking the pump housing, as broken glass is a common cause of blockages.

When to stop and call a professional

If the filters are clean, the sink drains fine, and you hear a loud humming or grinding noise when the machine tries to empty, the drain pump motor has likely failed and requires an engineer.

How this information is researched

Publisher: Error Code Lookup Editorial Team. Error Code Lookup is an independent appliance-information resource and is not affiliated with appliance manufacturers. Guidance is written in our own words and reviewed with safety boundaries in mind.

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Frequently asked questions

Is it normal to have a little water in the bottom?

A tiny amount of clean water (about a cup) sitting beneath the filter is normal and keeps the pump seals from drying out. A large pool covering the base of the tub is a fault.

Why did it stop mid-cycle?

Dishwashers drain and refill multiple times during a programme. If it cannot drain the dirty wash water, the control board halts the cycle to prevent flooding the kitchen.

How do I get the water out?

You will need to manually bail it out using a jug and a sponge. Once empty, you can safely remove the filters to investigate the blockage.