A clogged dishwasher that won't drain is a relatively common and totally disgusting kitchen issue, but strangely enough the problem might not be the dishwasher itself. Rather, it could be your newly installed garbage disposal.
If you've got an excessive amount of water sitting in the bottom of your dishwasher, the first thing to do is check for blockages in the drain plugs located in the bottom of the dishwasher pan. Chunks of meat or vegetables, pieces of paper napkins and other items can clog the drains and prevent the dishwasher from draining properly. That’s why it’s important to always scrape dirty dishes clean before loading them into the dishwasher.
If the drain plugs are clear, check the filter, which is located either at the back of the dishwasher or near the base of the lower spray arm. Clean away any debris you find on or around the filter. If the drain plugs and filter are clear, then move on to the draining tube, which often dumps dirty water into your garbage disposal.
The top rubber tube drains the dishwasher into the garbage disposal. The port on a new garbage disposal will have a plastic plug inside. If that plastic plug isn't popped out, then the dishwasher won't drain and the water will pool back into the dishwasher. Start by unplugging the garbage disposal; never work on an appliance while it’s still plug into the electrical outlet.
To remove the plastic plug, simply release the clamp holding the rubber tube and pull off the tube.
Then take a screwdriver and feel for the plug. If the screwdriver pushes all the way into the disposal, you've got a blockage somewhere else. But if you can feel the plastic plug then you've found the problem.
Use a hammer to lightly tap against the back of the screwdriver to punch out the plastic plug. Make sure you remove the plastic from all around the edges of the circular hole. Next, reach into the top of the disposal through the sink—again, make sure the disposal is unplugged—and pull out the plug and any remaining bits of plastic. Then reattach the hose, plug in the disposal, and your dishwasher should now drain properly.
Timothy is a lifelong DIY enthusiast who is fixated on smart home tech, beautiful tools, and wrenching on his FJ62 Land Cruiser. He’s the DIY editor at Popular Mechanics and also the founder of the home improvement site, Charles & Hudson, the Webby-nominated family site, Built by Kids, and Tool Crave. When not working, you’ll find him on his board or bike enjoying the LA weather with his family and friends. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter.
Joe is a former carpenter and cabinetmaker who writes extensively about remodeling, woodworking, and tool techniques. He has written eight books and is a contributing editor to Popular Mechanics. He also appears on the Today’s Homeowner TV show, and co-hosts the weekly Today’s Homeowner Radio Show. Joe writes from his home in Roxbury, Connecticut.
