Your dishwasher may be one of the most frequently used appliances in your home. If it isn’t working properly, it can be very inconvenient. A few meals of washing dishes by hand and you’ll remember why you have a dishwasher in the first place. 

One of the most common problems with dishwashers is lack of drainage. If you open your dishwasher after a complete cycle and there’s standing water in the bottom, you have the beginnings of a problem. If your kitchen floor is flooded, you have a full-blown problem on your hands. 

Are you wondering, why isn’t my dishwasher draining? Here are the most common reasons and what to do about it. 

Causes of Dishwasher Drainage Issues

When it comes to diagnosing a dishwasher drainage problem, there are a few different potential causes:

  • Clogged filter. One of the most common causes of drainage issues is a clogged filter. In the bottom of your dishwasher there is a filter that catches food particles and prevents them from clogging your pipes. This filter can become clogged with mildew, food particles, grease, and other debris. It is necessary to remove and clean the filter periodically. 
  • Trap is full. Dishwashers also have a trap that catches larger pieces of food and debris. When the trap gets full it can prevent proper drainage. It is necessary to check the trap and clean it out every so often, especially after a particularly dirty cycle of dishes or if you tend to put dishes in without rinsing them. 
  • Garbage disposal is clogged. Most dishwashers drain through your garbage disposal if you have one. If the garbage disposal is clogged, it may just need to be run to clear it out. Make sure your disposal is draining properly and then try placing your dishwasher on the drainage part of a cycle. 
  • Blocked drain hose. There is a hose that connects your dishwasher to the garbage disposal or sink drain. If this hose becomes clogged or isn’t connected properly, the dishwasher may not drain. 
  • Wrong detergent. Most dishwashers have a recommended type of detergent that is meant to be used. If you use the wrong kind, such a liquid detergent if your dishwasher is designed for powder, could cause a drainage problem. 
  • Electrical issues. Make sure your dishwasher has power. Check your electrical box for a tripped circuit breaker. If your dishwasher doesn’t have power, it may not have cycled through to the drainage phase, explaining why the water has not drained out. 
  • Plumbing issues. Sometimes the issue is not with the dishwasher, but the plumbing in your home. If you have a clogged pipe in your home’s drainage system, your dishwasher and other drains in your home may back up. If you’ve checked every other possibility, the problem could be in the plumbing. 

What Should I Do if My Dishwasher Won’t Drain?

If you have the technical know-how to troubleshoot your dishwasher with the above possible causes, start there. When you are unable to correct the problem yourself, it is time to call an appliance repair service. In most cases a dishwasher drainage issue can be repaired. It is rare that drainage problems would mean you need a new dishwasher. 

America’s Appliance Repair Can Fix Your Dishwasher Drainage Problems 

A dishwasher that won’t drain can’t effectively clean your dishes. Standing water in the bottom of your dishwasher will quickly grow mildew and mold, which is not something you want around the dishes you plan to eat with. Drainage issues need to be addressed right away. 

America’s Appliance Repair understands that you need your dishwasher to work. If you have a big family, you may need to run it daily or after every meal. That’s a lot of dishes to wash by hand and who has time for that? We will diagnose the problem and have your dishwasher draining properly again as soon as possible. 

Call 800-639-9340 or contact us to schedule a service appointment. We look forward to restoring your dishwasher to good working order.