Dishwasher Not Draining? Top 5 Reasons & Solutions

Standing water in a dishwasher is almost always a drainage issue — and the first thing to check is the filter at the base of the tub.

Pull out the bottom rack, unscrew the filter housing and clean out food debris. You'd be amazed how often this single step fixes the issue.

If the filter is clean, check the drain hose for kinks where it loops behind the cabinet. A kinked hose is a five-minute fix.

Still draining slowly? The drain pump may be jammed with a foreign object — broken glass, a fruit pip or a small piece of plastic. This is a job for a qualified technician.

On built-in units, also check the air gap on the worktop and the connection to the sink waste — both are common blockage points.