Dishwasher Not Draining? Simple Fixes You Can Try Today

If your dishwasher leaves puddles on the floor or your dishes come out soggy, you’re probably dealing with a draining problem. It’s frustrating, but most of the time you can solve it yourself without splurging on a call‑out. Below are the most common culprits and easy DIY steps to get the water flowing again.

Common Reasons Your Dishwasher Won’t Drain

First, know what usually goes wrong. A blocked filter is the number one offender – food bits build up and stop water from exiting. Next, check the drain hose; a kink, crush, or a piece of debris inside can halt flow. If you have a garbage disposal nearby, the dishwasher may be sharing the same pipe, and a clogged disposal will affect the dishwasher too.

The pump itself can fail or get jammed by hard items like glass shards. Lastly, many UK units have an air‑gap device on the sink. If that gets clogged, water backs up into the tub. Spotting the right cause saves you time.

Step‑by‑Step DIY Fixes

1. Turn off power and water. Safety first – pull the plug or switch off the breaker and shut the water inlet.

2. Clean the filter. Open the bottom rack, locate the circular filter, twist it out, and rinse under running water. Use a soft brush to remove stubborn bits.

3. Inspect the drain hose. Pull the hose from the dishwasher and look for kinks or sharp bends. Detach it (have a bucket ready) and blow through it or run water to clear any blockages.

4. Check the garbage disposal. Run the disposal for a minute, then try the dishwasher again. If the disposal is clogged, clear it with a plumber’s snake or the usual disposal cleaning method (ice cubes + lemon).

5. Examine the air‑gap. Remove the cap on the air‑gap (usually on the sink) and clean any debris with a brush. Rinse thoroughly.

6. Listen to the pump. When you start a wash cycle, you should hear a faint humming as the pump runs. If it’s silent or makes a grinding noise, the pump may be stuck or burnt out. You can manually rotate the impeller (with the power off) to free jammed objects, but most pump failures need a pro.

7. Test the float switch. The float rises with water level; if it’s stuck, the machine thinks it’s overfilled and won’t pump. Gently move the float up and down to make sure it moves freely.

After each step, run a short cycle to see if the water drains. If you’ve cleared the filter, hose, and air‑gap and the problem persists, it’s likely a pump or electrical issue.

When you’re stuck, don’t keep forcing the machine – you could cause more damage. That’s when a local expert steps in.

At Taunton Appliance Repair Solutions we’ve helped dozens of homeowners get their dishwashers back in shape fast. Our technicians know exactly how to diagnose stubborn drain problems and can replace pumps or fix wiring issues on the spot. Give us a call, and we’ll have clean dishes running again in no time.