Easy Steps to Drain a Dishwasher With Standing Water

There’s nothing quite like opening your dishwasher after a cycle and seeing… a pool of standing water at the bottom. Gross, right? You expected sparkling clean dishes, not a puddle in your kitchen appliance.

Before you panic or start calling repair services, take a deep breath. In many cases, draining a dishwasher with standing water is something you can handle yourself, no technician, no expensive tools, and no stress.

We’ll walk you through the easy, step-by-step process of identifying the cause and draining your dishwasher the DIY way. Let’s roll up our sleeves and get that water out and your dishes clean again.

What Causes Standing Water in a Dishwasher?

First things first, why is there even water left in the bottom of your dishwasher?

Standing water is usually a sign that something’s blocking the drainage process. It could be:

• A clogged or dirty filter
• A blocked drain hose
• A jammed air gap
• A faulty drain pump
• Food gunk buildup

Whatever the reason, the solution almost always starts the same way: by safely getting that water out.

What You’ll Need

Before you dive in, gather a few basic supplies. You probably already have these lying around:

Tools & Supplies:

• Towels or old rags
• Large bowl or cup
• Sponge or turkey baster 
• Flashlight
• Bucket
• Screwdriver  
• Gloves  

Step 1: Cut the Power

Before you touch anything inside your dishwasher, turn it off. Either unplug it (if you can reach the plug) or turn off the breaker that powers it.

This protects you from electric shock and prevents the machine from suddenly starting while you’re elbow-deep in soapy water.

Step 2: Remove the Dishes

If you haven’t already, take out all the dishes and utensil baskets. Set them aside on a clean surface or in the sink so you have full access to the bottom of the dishwasher.

Now you can clearly see the extent of the standing water problem, and start dealing with it head-on.

Step 3: Scoop Out the Water

Now comes the not-so-glamorous part: removing the standing water.

Here’s how:

1. Use a large cup or bowl to scoop out as much water as possible into a bucket or the sink.
2. Once you’re down to an inch or so, grab a sponge, towel, or turkey baster to soak up the rest.
3. Dry the base of the tub thoroughly with rags or paper towels.

Now you’re done, no more water at the bottom. Time to figure out why it happened.

Step 4: Clean the Filter

This is the most common culprit for poor drainage, and luckily, it’s super easy to fix.

Find and clean your dishwasher filter:

1. The filter is usually at the bottom of the dishwasher tub, under the bottom spray arm.
2. Twist and lift the filter out (check your manual if it’s stuck or has a cover).
3. Rinse it thoroughly under warm water, using a soft brush or toothbrush to scrub away any food debris.
4. Don’t forget the area around the filter housing, wipe out any remaining gunk with a rag.

A clogged filter can prevent water from draining properly, so this alone might solve your problem.

Step 5: Check the Drain Hose

If cleaning the filter didn’t fix it, the next thing to inspect is the drain hose, that’s the tube that carries water from the dishwasher to your kitchen sink drain or garbage disposal.

How to check it:

1. Slide the dishwasher out slightly (you may need to remove a few mounting screws first).
2. Locate the drain hose, it’s usually connected to the sink drain or garbage disposal.
3. Look for kinks, clogs, or visible blockages.
4. Detach the hose at the sink end (use a towel to catch any water) and run water through it. If it doesn’t flow freely, you’ve got a clog.

You can use a straightened wire hanger or plumbing snake to gently clear the blockage. Rinse it out, reattach, and you’re good to go.

Step 6: Inspect the Air Gap (if You Have One)

Some dishwashers are connected to an air gap, a small cylindrical fitting on the back of your sink, usually near the faucet. If it’s clogged, it can stop water from draining properly.

To clean it:

1. Remove the cap from the air gap.
2. Check for visible gunk or blockages inside the opening.
3. Clean it out with a brush or run warm water through it.
4. Replace the cap.

It’s a quick fix that can solve a surprising number of dishwasher drainage problems.

Step 7: Run a Drain Cycle Test

Once you’ve cleaned the filter, cleared the hose, and checked the air gap, it’s time to test the machine.

1. Restore power to the dishwasher.
2. Run a short cycle or the “drain” setting (many machines have this built-in).
3. Watch and listen, does the water drain completely? Is the pump running smoothly?

If yes, congrats! You just fixed your dishwasher. If there’s still water left at the bottom, move on to the next step.

Step 8: Clean the Drain Pump

This step is a little more involved but still very doable.

To access the drain pump:

1. Disconnect power again.
2. Remove the bottom access panel (you may need a screwdriver).
3. Locate the drain pump, it’s typically near the front of the machine.
4. Check for clogs, loose connections, or food debris inside the pump or impeller.
5. Clean the area gently with a brush and cloth.

Some pumps have a removable cover you can twist off for easier access. Be patient and gentle, you don’t want to damage the pump.

Extra Troubleshooting: Still Not Draining?

If you’ve done all the steps above and your dishwasher still isn’t draining, here are a few additional things to look for:

• Garbage Disposal Backups: If your dishwasher is connected to a garbage disposal, and it hasn’t been run in a while, the drain hose could be blocked at the disposal inlet. Run the disposal thoroughly to clear it.
• Knockout Plug: If you recently installed a new garbage disposal, make sure the knockout plug inside the dishwasher inlet was removed. If not, water can’t drain.
• Float Switch: The float is a small dome or disc inside your dishwasher tub. If it’s stuck in the “up” position, it can signal the machine to stop draining. Gently move it up and down to make sure it’s free.

Final Thoughts

Dealing with standing water in your dishwasher isn’t exactly fun, but it’s way more manageable than it looks. With just a few basic tools and a little elbow grease, you can find the cause, drain the water, and get your machine running like new again. No service calls. No special skills. Just you and your toolkit saving the day.

If you need any replacement parts for your appliances, you can enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com to locate and order them quickly. Most orders arrive in just two business days, and we have tons of great information in our repair help section and YouTube videos to help you troubleshoot.

Stay connected with the latest DIY tips, tutorial videos, and repair guides by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We love hearing about your repair stories and successes. If you need more help or want personalized guidance, feel free to reach out. We’re ready to help you take on your next project with confidence!

The information in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. We recommend consulting your manufacturer’s documentation or contact us with any questions.