It's never a pretty sight—you open the dishwasher at the end of a cycle, and a pool of soapy, murky water still lingers at the bottom. Before you get on the phone with a plumber, remember that learning how to drain a dishwasher is a doable DIY task once you understand how the system works. You may even be able to find out why your dishwasher isn't draining in the first place. Let's take a look.
Prepping to Drain Your Dishwasher
There is always the chance that your dishwasher stopped mid-cycle—like if someone tried opening the door or there was a brief power outage. In this case, press and hold the cancel button on your control panel for at least three seconds to reactivate the drain mechanism.
If this doesn't do the trick, turn off the power to the dishwasher before manually draining it. Look for the outlet under your sink or in a cabinet next to the dishwasher. If the outlet isn't accessible, turn off the circuit breaker switch for your kitchen area.
Manually Remove the Water
It's important to manually drain your dishwasher before searching for the root of the issue. If there is a clog, there's no way to force water through the drain hose. Begin by scoping out the water with a cup and mopping up the rest of the water with a sponge or cloth. Eventually, you should be able to see and access the drain filter at the bottom of your dishwasher.
Run the Garbage Disposal
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Your dishwasher and garbage disposal often share access to the sink drain. If your garbage disposal becomes clogged, water may not be able to flow as easily through the system. Run your garbage disposal to check for signs that it may need to be repaired or replaced. Bad smells, the sound of trapped food, or your garbage disposal not turning on may be signs that it's also affecting your dishwasher.
If you turn on the power to check for issues with the garbage disposal, be sure to turn it back off before proceeding.
Did you know there’s a cleanable filter at the bottom of your dishwasher? Slip off the bottom dish rack to access the removable filter in the center. While each model differs, you should be able to turn the filter basket counterclockwise to release it from the machine. Check the basket and surrounding filter for large pieces of food or grease buildup.
Clear the Air Gap
If your drain filter is clear, check the air gap. You will find the air gap next to the faucet up at the top of your sink. It may look like a small metal cap or soap dispenser. This mechanism relieves air pressure in your dishwasher hose hookup and keeps dirty water from heading back into your dishwasher after it leaves.
Not every dishwasher setup includes an air gap. Some states don’t require an air gap device as long as you have a high-mounted loop in the drain hose. If you don’t have one, move on to the next st
If you have an air gap, turn the top of the air gap counterclockwise and check for debris, food, or grease buildup. You can also use a bottle brush to check the pipe for debris.
Disconnect the Drain Hose
The most common reason your dishwasher won't drain is a clog or issue with your drain hose. You'll find the drain hose connected to the drainage pipe below your sink, the air gap, or your garbage disposal.
Begin by placing a towel and bucket underneath your drain hose in case water trapped in the hose comes out when disconnected. Next, check the hose for exterior kinks or items that may have been pressing against it.
If all looks good, disconnect the drain hose connected to your sink's drain pipe, air gap, or garbage disposal. You may need a pair of pliers or a flathead screwdriver to remove the clamp on the outside of the pipe. We recommend snapping a photo of the connection before removing it.
Clear the Clog
Place the open end of the hose in the bucket and try to shake the debris free. If nothing appears, use a bottle brush or straightened wire hanger to fish out potential clogs. Go easy with the end of the hanger to avoid causing any damage to the tube.
Reconnect the Hose
Photo: Oleg Opryshko / Adobe Stock
Attach the hose back to its original position, using the photo from earlier to ensure you seal the clamp correctly.
Test the Clog
At this point, flip back on the circuit breaker and run your dishwasher for several minutes. Press and hold the cancel button for at least three seconds—or the amount indicated—to activate the draining mechanism. Once the drainage sound completes, and your dishwasher shuts off, check the inside of the unit for standing water.
Call in the Pros
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If clearing your drain hose, air gap, garbage disposal, and drain filter still doesn't clear the clog, it's time to call a plumber or an appliance repair specialist. There may be a more complex issue, such as a burnt-out circuit, a clogged dishwasher pump, or an issue with the float.
DIY Draining a Dishwasher vs. Hiring a Pro
Professional dishwasher repair costs between $160 and $300 on average, depending on the extent of the repair. Dishwasher pump replacement, for example, costs between $150 to $350, while a new filter runs between $50 and $100. If you're hiring a pro to diagnose the issue, hourly rates range from $75 to $100.
If you follow the steps above for how to drain water from a dishwasher, you could rule out the source of a clog or issue before calling a dishwasher repair specialist. Sometimes, a quick reset or clearing out an obvious clog is all it takes—and it will barely cost you a dime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there still water in the bottom of my dishwasher?
Water may linger at the bottom of your dishwasher if the cycle is interrupted or there’s a clog in the system. Begin by pressing and holding the cancel button to ensure the cycle finishes. You may need to check the filter, hose, air gap, and garbage disposal for clogs if it still doesn't drain.
Where is the drain on a dishwasher?
Your dishwasher drains through a hose that attaches to the plumbing below your sink or snakes out the back of your machine. In most cases, you can access one side of the hose from below your sink. Otherwise, you may need to pull the dishwasher out of the counter to access it.
How do I manually drain a dishwasher?
While you can scoop water out of the bottom of your dishwasher with cups, it will not drain if there’s a clog somewhere throughout its system. You will need to remove the clog for the remaining water to pass.
