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Dishwasher Not Draining? The Filter and Hose Checks, in Order

Standing water means something is blocking the way out. Check the filter, then the sink connection and the drain hose, before you blame the pump.

By Jamilur Rahman Updated November 5, 2026 · 7 min read

Time
45 min
Cost
$20-$50
Difficulty
Medium
An open dishwasher with a shallow pool of cloudy water and food bits at the bottom and the lower rack pulled out
In this guide
  1. Quick answer
  2. Free vs. permanent fix
  3. What you'll need
  4. Why it happens
  5. Try this first (free)
  6. When free fixes aren't enough
  7. Buy the fix
  8. The high loop: why the hose bends up
  9. What to skip
  10. FAQ
  11. Related problems

Quick answer

Dishwasher not draining is usually a blocked path: a clogged filter, the disposal or sink connection, or a kinked or clogged drain hose. Turn off the power, scoop out the water, clean the filter, then check the sink side and the hose in that order. A hose that is crushed, cracked or clogged beyond cleaning is the part to replace.

Free fix vs. permanent fix

Free fix · 30 to 45 minutes

Clean the filter and clear the path

  • Cut power and scoop out the standing water
  • Take out and rinse the filter, then check the sump
  • Run the disposal and check the air gap
  • Straighten kinks and look inside the drain hose

How long it lasts: Months to years if food debris was the cause. A kinked or brittle old hose can clog again.

Most readers choose Permanent fix
Dishwasher drain hose (illustration)
Illustration

A new drain hose

If the hose is crushed, cracked or packed with grease, cleaning only helps for a while. A new hose gives wastewater a clear path out, and the high loop stops sink water running back in. The free checks tell you whether the hose is the culprit.

What to get: Dishwasher drain hose

How long it lasts: Years. A smooth, correctly sized hose with a high loop keeps the drain flowing.

Check price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

What you'll need

  • Flashlight

    For looking into the sump and under the sink

    You have it

  • Towels and a shallow pan

    For the water that comes out

    You have it

  • Soft brush

    An old toothbrush cleans the filter and air gap

    You have it

  • Screwdriver and pliers

    For the hose clamps

    You have it
  • Our pick
    Replacement dishwasher drain hose (illustration)
    Illustration

    Replacement dishwasher drain hose

    Match the length and the end fittings to your old one

    Check price
  • Hose clamps (illustration)
    Illustration

    Hose clamps

    Fit new ones whenever you replace the hose

    Check price

Why it happens

1

A clogged filter

Food, labels and bits of glass collect in the filter and the sump. Water cannot pass, so it sits in the bottom.

2

A blocked disposal or sink connection

The dishwasher drains into the garbage disposal or the sink drain pipe. A clogged disposal or sink drain stops it. A new disposal with its dishwasher knockout plug still in place blocks the port.

3

A clogged or kinked drain hose

The hose can be kinked behind the unit, crushed or packed with food and grease. Old hoses go soft and collapse.

4

A clogged air gap

If your sink has a small cap beside the faucet, that is an air gap. Debris can clog it and back water into the dishwasher.

5

A jammed or failed drain pump

A pump jammed with glass or with a dead motor leaves water in the tub. You may hear a hum, or nothing at all, when it should drain.

Try this first (free)

Do these in order, starting with the simplest.

  1. Cut the power and scoop out the water

    Tool used: Towels and a shallow pan

    Switch off the breaker, or unplug the cord if you can reach it. Bail out standing water with a cup and sponge. Put towels down first.

  2. Clean the filter and sump

    Tool used: Soft brush

    Pull the lower rack, twist out the filter and rinse it under warm water with a soft brush. Check the sump below it for glass, labels and seeds. Put the filter back in firmly.

  3. Run the disposal and clear the sink

    Turn on the garbage disposal and run cold water for 30 seconds. Remove anything stuck in the sink drain. If the sink drains slowly too, the clog is in the sink line, not in the dishwasher.

  4. Check the air gap

    Tool used: Soft brush

    If you have one, pop off its cap and clear the gunk with a small brush. Run water through it to be sure it flows.

  5. Check the drain hose

    Tool used: Flashlight

    Look under the sink for the ribbed hose. It should rise to a high loop under the countertop before it reaches the disposal or drain. Straighten any kinks. If you can, loosen the clamp, point the end into a pan and look inside for clogs.

  6. Replace a hose that is crushed or clogged

    Tool used: Replacement dishwasher drain hose

    Match the length and the end fittings to your old hose. Use new clamps, make the high loop under the counter, and run a short cycle to test.

    Replacement dishwasher drain hose (illustration)
    Illustration

    Tool for this step

    Replacement dishwasher drain hose · Match the length and the end fittings to your old one

    Check price on Amazon

When free fixes aren't enough

If the filter is clean, the disposal and sink drain freely, and the hose is clear, the next suspect is the drain pump or its control. A pump that hums but does not move water is jammed, and a silent one has failed. If the hose is old, hard, cracked or collapsed, a new hose costs little and is the better fix than another cleaning. If the dishwasher is over 10 years old, compare the repair price with a new machine. Keep the power off whenever you reach near the pump.

Buy the fix

Still stuck after the free fixes? These are the products we would look at.

Our picks compared
PickProductFixesWho it's forBuy
Best pick
Dishwasher drain hose (illustration)
Illustration
Dishwasher drain hose
a crushed, kinked, cracked or clogged drain hose Anyone whose old hose is brittle, collapsed or packed with debris. Check price
Upgrade pick
Dishwasher drain pump (illustration)
Illustration
Dishwasher drain pump
a drain pump that hums, is jammed or does not run Owners who found the filter, sink and hose all clear and are comfortable with a repair. Check price
Best pick
Dishwasher drain hose (illustration)
Illustration

Dishwasher drain hose

Fixes: a crushed, kinked, cracked or clogged drain hose

Look for: A length that reaches the sink with room for a high loop; A diameter and end fittings that match your old hose; A ribbed or reinforced wall that resists kinking; Clamps included, or bought separately.

Who it's for
Anyone whose old hose is brittle, collapsed or packed with debris.
Honest downside
The hose is clear and straight when you check it. The problem is elsewhere.
Check price on Amazon
Upgrade pick
Dishwasher drain pump (illustration)
Illustration

Dishwasher drain pump

Fixes: a drain pump that hums, is jammed or does not run

Look for: Listed for your dishwasher's brand and exact model number; Includes the seals or gaskets it needs; Matches the connectors on your old pump.

Who it's for
Owners who found the filter, sink and hose all clear and are comfortable with a repair.
Honest downside
You are not comfortable working on an unplugged appliance, or the dishwasher is over about 10 years old and a new one costs about the same.
Check price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We don't show prices because they change, so use the button to see today's price.

How we picked: How we picked: this page is based on dishwasher owner's manuals, appliance repair guides, and what owners report in reviews of drain hoses and pumps. We do not test products by hand.

The high loop: why the hose bends up

Most dishwasher drain hoses rise to the underside of the countertop and then drop to the disposal or drain. That loop keeps sink water from running back into the dishwasher. If yours runs low along the cabinet floor, water can back up and the dishwasher can drain slowly. Hold the loop in place with a strap or bracket under the counter, as your manual shows.

What to skip

Chemical drain cleaner in the tub

Do not pour drain cleaner into the dishwasher. It can damage rubber seals and hoses, and it is dangerous if it splashes when you reach in. Clearing the clog by hand works better. Running more cycles hoping it clears just adds water.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my dishwasher not draining after I installed a new garbage disposal?
The disposal's dishwasher port has a knockout plug that must be removed. If it is still in place, water has nowhere to go. With the disposal's power off, knock the plug out with a screwdriver and hammer, and fish out the loose piece.
Why does my dishwasher not drain even when the filter is clean?
Look at the sink side, then the hose. A clogged disposal, a clogged air gap or a kinked hose all hold water back. If those are clear, the drain pump is next.
Dishwasher not draining all the way, or dishwasher not draining completely: is that normal?
A small amount of water in the sump or filter area can be normal on some models. Water above the filter that lingers after a cycle is not. Clean the filter and check the hose.
How to fix dishwasher not draining without calling a repair person?
Cut the power, scoop out the water, clean the filter, run the disposal, check the air gap and then check the drain hose. Most clogs are in one of those places.
How to fix dishwasher that won't drain and hums?
A hum with no draining means the pump is trying but is blocked or jammed. Clear the filter and sump first. If it still hums with nothing moving, the pump needs replacing.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure

Dishwasher drain hose (illustration)
Illustration

Our pick: Dishwasher drain hose

Check price