Dishwasher won't drain and leaves standing water — how do I fix it?

Question

My dishwasher finishes its cycle but leaves a pool of dirty water at the bottom, and the dishes come out not properly clean. Newish apartment in Abu Dhabi, machine is about 2 years old.

Is this something I can sort myself, or do I need an appliance technician?

Kareem F. · Accepted Answer

Nine times out of ten it is a drainage blockage, and most of it you can do yourself. Work along the drain path: 1) pull out and rinse the filter/basket at the bottom of the tub (people never clean these — it is usually full of grease and food); 2) check the drain hose is not kinked and that where it connects to the sink waste or P-trap is not blocked; 3) scoop out the standing water first so you are not working in a puddle.

If the filter and hose are clear and it still won't drain, the drain pump may have failed or has something jammed in the impeller — that is where an appliance technician earns their fee. But clean the filter first; it fixes this more often than not.

Jason S. · Answer

Mine did exactly this. The filter was full of gunk I did not even know was there. Rinsed it, cleaned the little sump, ran it empty on a hot cycle — sorted in ten minutes. Do that before you pay anyone.

Dishwasher won't drain and leaves standing water — how do I fix it?

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