Dishwasher not draining: causes and fixes
Water left standing in the tub at the end of a cycle is one of the most common dishwasher faults. The good news: in more than half of cases it is simply a blocked filter or strainer, which you can sort out yourself in fifteen minutes with no tools at all.
Safety first
Always unplug the machine before working on it, and shut off the water supply if you are removing the drain hose.
The causes, from most to least common
Check them in this order: the first ones are free and solve the majority of cases.
- 1
Blocked tub filter
very commonHow to check: Remove the filter in the bottom of the tub (it unscrews by hand) and check whether it is clogged with food debris, grease or fragments of glass.
Fix: Clean the filter in hot water with a brush and washing-up liquid. Refit it and make sure it locks into place.
EasyEstimated cost: 0 € - 2
Kinked or blocked drain hose
commonHow to check: Pull the machine out and check the hose isn't crushed or bent behind it. Disconnect it from the trap and see whether it flows.
Fix: Straighten the hose, or clear it with hot water. Also check the sink trap it connects to, which is often clogged.
EasyEstimated cost: 0 to 15 € - 3
Drain pump jammed by a foreign object
commonHow to check: With the filter removed, shine a light into the sump: an olive stone, a shard of glass or a cocktail stick can jam the impeller.
Fix: Remove the object with pliers. Turn the impeller by hand to check it spins freely.
EasyEstimated cost: 0 € - 4
Drain pump failed
less commonHow to check: If the filter and hose are clear and you hear no pump noise at the end of the cycle, the pump has most likely died.
Fix: Replace the drain pump, which is a DIY job on many models, otherwise a repairer's task.
ModerateEstimated cost: 40 to 80 € for the part, 120 to 200 € including labour
If you take this out-of-warranty dishwasher to a QualiRépar-certified repairer, 50€ comes off the invoice.
| Repair by a professional | 120 to 200 € |
| Repair bonus deducted | - 50 € |
| What you pay | 70 to 150 € |
Indicative estimate: the real price depends on the part, the model and the call-out. The bonus can never exceed the invoice total.
How to claim the repair bonus →When to call a professional
Call a professional if the machine throws an electronic error code, if you see water leaking underneath it, or if replacing the pump feels out of reach. On a machine under 8 years old, repairing is almost always worth it.
Find a repairer near you →Frequently asked questions
Why is my dishwasher not draining?
In most cases the tub filter is blocked with food debris. Next come a kinked or blocked drain hose, a foreign object jamming the pump, and more rarely a failed drain pump.
How do you drain a dishwasher by hand?
Soak up the remaining water with a sponge and a container, then remove the filter to reach the bottom of the tub. You can also put a tray on the floor and disconnect the drain hose so the water runs out by gravity.
How much does it cost to fix a dishwasher that won't drain?
Nothing at all if it is a clogged filter or a foreign object, which covers most cases. If the drain pump needs replacing, expect 40 to 80 € for the part alone, and 120 to 200 € with a repairer.
Your dishwasher may be nearing the end of its life: a dishwasher lasts 8 to 12 years. Beyond that, an expensive repair is harder to justify.