Quick Answer
If your dishwasher will not drain, water is usually trapped by a clogged filter, a blocked drain hose, or a jammed garbage disposal. Clean the filter and clear the disposal first, then call a local technician if water still sits after a cycle.
If your dishwasher will not drain, the water is usually trapped by a clogged filter, a blocked drain hose, or a jammed garbage disposal connection. Two of those you can check in a few minutes. Here is the order to work through before you call anyone.
Run this two-minute check first
Scoop out the standing water, then run the garbage disposal for a few seconds. A surprising number of "broken" dishwashers are really a disposal with a clogged drain or an un-removed knockout plug. If that clears it, you are done.
Clean the filter and sump
At the bottom of the tub is a removable filter that catches food. When it packs with debris, water cannot drain. Twist it out, rinse it under the tap, and clear anything sitting in the sump below it. In Solano County, regular cleaning also fights the scale that hard water leaves behind.
Check the drain hose and air gap
The drain hose can kink behind the cabinet or clog where it meets the disposal. If your sink has an air gap fitting, pop the cap and clear it too. The EPA WaterSense program is a good reminder that an efficient dishwasher only works well when water can move freely through it.
When it is the drain pump
If the filter, hose, and disposal are all clear but water still pools, the drain pump or check valve is the likely cause. That is an internal part, so the simplest next step is to get connected with a local Fairfield technician. Our dishwasher repair page explains what that visit looks like.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there always a little water in the bottom?
A small amount is normal and keeps the seals from drying out. A full inch or more of standing water is the problem.
Can a clogged disposal really stop my dishwasher?
Yes. They share a drain path, so a blocked disposal sends water right back into the dishwasher.