What is actually happening
A dishwasher drains through a filter, a pump, and then a hose that usually loops up and into the sink waste. Standing water almost always means a blockage in that path rather than a failed part — food debris in the filter and a blocked sink trap between them account for most of it. The one to check first is whether a new sink or waste disposal has been fitted, because the blanking plug in a new waste spigot is a classic.
The usual causes
- A clogged filter and sump at the bottom of the machine
- A blocked or kinked drain hose, or a blocked sink trap where it connects
- A blanking plug left in the sink waste spigot after a new sink or disposal unit was fitted
- A failed drain pump, or one jammed with a piece of glass or a label
- A drain hose fitted without a high loop, letting waste water siphon back
What you can safely check yourself
Work through these in order. Anything past this point — panels off, testing parts, anything to do with the wiring — is an engineer's job, and not one to attempt with the appliance plugged in.
- Bail out the standing water, then lift out the filter assembly and clean it thoroughly
- Check the sump underneath the filter for glass, labels and debris
- Check the sink trap the dishwasher drains into — clearing that alone fixes a good share of these
- If a sink or waste disposal was fitted recently, check the blanking plug was knocked out of the spigot
Still not draining?
If the checks above have not sorted it, it needs looking at properly. £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
Local engineers covering Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire — same and next-day appointments, and the person who comes out is one of ours, not a subcontractor.
Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need
Common questions
Why is my dishwasher not draining?
The cycle ends with dirty water standing in the bottom of the machine. A dishwasher drains through a filter, a pump, and then a hose that usually loops up and into the sink waste. Standing water almost always means a blockage in that path rather than a failed part — food debris in the filter and a blocked sink trap between them account for most of it. The one to check first is whether a new sink or waste disposal has been fitted, because the blanking plug in a new waste spigot is a classic.
Can I fix a dishwasher not draining myself?
Bail out the standing water, then lift out the filter assembly and clean it thoroughly. Check the sump underneath the filter for glass, labels and debris. Check the sink trap the dishwasher drains into — clearing that alone fixes a good share of these. If a sink or waste disposal was fitted recently, check the blanking plug was knocked out of the spigot. Those checks fix it more often than not. If it comes back, it needs looking at properly.
How much does it cost to repair a dishwasher not draining?
£66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
Other dishwasher faults
- dishwasher will not switch on
- dishwasher not cleaning the dishes
- dishwasher not drying the dishes
- dishwasher leaking
- dishwasher not heating the water
- dishwasher lights flashing
- dishwasher beeping mid-cycle
- dishwasher door will not close