Dishwasher - Not Draining

If your dishwasher is not draining, you will typically see an excess amount of water in the bottom of the tub. If excessive water is remaining in the bottom of the dishwasher, there are a few things that can cause this issue. We are providing these causes and suggestions to remedy the concern below.

Blockage

• On models with a Fine and Ultra Fine filter, remove and check the Fine and Ultra Fine filters in the bottom of the dishwasher. For more information, please review our Dishwasher - How to Clean Fine and Ultra Fine Filters article.
  • On models without an Ultra Fine filter at the bottom of the tub, 1 to 2 cups of clean water covering the bottom of the tub is normal.
  • On models with an Ultra Fine filter, water in the sump (filter area) is normal but the water should not cover the bottom of the tub.
• Make sure there is not any paper or large object covering or blocking the sump area in the rear of the tub. Clear out any large pieces of food from the bottom of the dishwasher like noodles, lettuce, or bones.
• Check the drain hose where it connects below the sink for a blockage or a kink in the hose. New dishwashers come with a white corrugated drain hose which should be used. Re-using old, worn out drain hoses may promote kinking or a blockage.
• Make sure the kitchen sink drain is not clogged. If a disposer is installed, run the disposer to clear the drain system. Do not put your hands into the garbage disposer to check it as a serious injury could occur. You should always turn on your garbage disposer prior to running the dishwasher to clean out any food or debris within the drain system.
• If an air gap is installed with the dishwasher drain plumbing, remove the cap on the air gap and clean out any build-up of debris. Clearing the air gap will allow water to flow better as the dishwasher drains. For more information, see our Dishwasher - Cleaning Your Air Gap article.
• If a disposer was recently installed or replaced, make sure the drain plug inside the disposer was removed. Instructions for removing the drain plug are in the Installation Instructions for the disposer.
• Do not use drain cleaner in the dishwasher. For more information, see our Dishwasher - Use of Drain Cleaner article.

Detergent Type and Amount

• Using the wrong type or too much detergent can cause over-sudsing that can prevent the dishwasher from draining properly. See our Dishwasher - Using the Right Detergent and Rinse Agent article for more information.

Installation

• If an air gap is not used with the installation of the drain hose, the dishwasher drain hose must contain a high drain loop for the dishwasher to be able to drain correctly. The high drain loop must be attached to the underside of the counter and attached to the sink at a specific height. Measure the height from the floor to the highest point of the drain hose and make sure the height matches what is in the Installation Instructions for the dishwasher.
• If a disposer was recently installed, make sure the drain plug inside the disposer was removed. Instructions for removing the drain plug are located in the Installation Instructions for the disposer.

Portable dishwashers that are not draining and are connected to the kitchen sink using the unicouple will need service. If they are connected using a drain hose, then these suggestions apply.

Service and Support

If the above suggestions do not resolve the draining issue with your built-in or portable dishwasher, service will be needed. For service, please schedule a repair appointment with GE Appliances Factory Service.