Why Is There Water Pooling in the Bottom of My Dishwasher?

A dishwasher takes the dirty work out of washing every dish by hand, but it can quickly turn into an inconvenience if it fills up with excess water. While a small amount of standing water in your dishwasher is generally considered normal, an inch or more can indicate a potential problem.

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The good news? In many cases, dishwasher water pooling is caused by easy-to-fix issues such as a dirty filter or clogged garbage disposal. However, in some situations, pooling water can indicate a more serious problem and should be evaluated by a professional plumber.

Why Is There a Puddle of Water in the Bottom of My Dishwasher?

From kinks in the drainage hose to damaged components, dishwasher water pooling can occur for a number of reasons. Pooled water might be caused by these common issues:

Malfunctioning Garbage Disposal

If your dishwasher's drain hose is connected to your garbage disposal, a blockage in the disposal can prevent the water in your dishwasher from draining properly. When this happens, excess water can pool in the dishwasher.

Twisted or Clogged Drain Hose

In some cases, the drain hose carrying the dirty water from the dishwasher into your sink drain can develop kinks. This can sometimes prevent proper water drainage, resulting in pooling water in the bottom of your dishwasher.

Clogged Dishwasher Filter

If your dishwasher filter gets clogged with food particles, grease or detergent buildup, it can interfere with the water pumping process and drainage. If the water isn't pumped out after a wash cycle, it can result in standing water in your dishwasher.

Detergent Issues

Using too much detergent or swapping out standard dishwasher detergent for liquid dish soap can create heavy suds, which may affect drainage. If your dishwasher can't drain properly, this can lead to water pooling in the bottom of the unit.

Clogged Air Gap Fixture

Air gap fixtures are small devices installed on kitchen sinks to create a barrier between drainage systems and help prevent dirty water from flowing back into the dishwasher. If the air gap becomes clogged with soap scum or food debris, it can hinder the drainage process and result in standing water in the dishwasher.

Why Does Dishwasher Water Pooling Happen After Running the Dishwasher?

Various issues can lead to pooling water after you run the dishwasher, including a twisted or blocked drain hose or a clogged dishwasher filter. You may also find standing water if the dishwasher's drain pump is malfunctioning. Some additional signs of a faulty drain pump include strong odors coming from the dishwasher and grinding or buzzing sounds when the unit attempts to drain water. Your dishes may also show traces of soap or food residue after a full wash cycle.

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How Does Standing Water Occur Even If I Haven’t Run the Dishwasher?

Dishwasher water pooling that occurs when you haven't run the appliance may be caused by a faulty inlet valve. This important plumbing component helps regulate water flow from the main supply to the dishwasher. Sediment buildup or damaged seals can prevent the valve from closing properly, which can cause water to leak back into the dishwasher even when it's not in use.

How Do I Get the Water Out of a Dishwasher That Won't Drain?

If there's a significant amount of standing water in your dishwasher, you should be able to scoop it out with a cup or small bowl. You can also use a towel to soak up any remaining water after scooping. However, water may pool again if you don't fix the underlying plumbing issue.

How Do I Resolve the Underlying Issue?

The first step in resolving pooling water in your dishwasher is determining why it's happening. If it's due to a clogged dishwasher filter or blocked garbage disposal, you may be able to solve the problem on your own. Here are some tips on troubleshooting these two issues.

Clogged Dishwasher Filter

Locate the dishwasher filter inside your appliance. You may need to remove the dish racks or bottom spray arm to access it. Remove the filter per manufacturer instructions and rinse it thoroughly to get rid of food particles and other debris. Replace the filter as directed and run your dishwasher. If there's no standing water at the bottom of the appliance after a full wash cycle, a dirty filter was the most likely cause.

Clogged Garbage Disposal

Turn on the hot water faucet and your garbage disposal and allow both to run for about 30 seconds to remove any collected debris. Next, unplug the disposal and use a flashlight to check inside the unit for larger, stuck-on food scraps and carefully remove them. Run the hot water for another 30 seconds to a minute to flush the disposal and drain. If the pooling water issue resolves after taking this step, built-up debris in your disposal was probably the cause.

If you're not comfortable with DIY troubleshooting, you're having difficulty determining the cause of pooling water or you suspect it's due to a larger issue, it's best to contact a licensed plumber. A professional can check for and fix other possible causes of dishwasher water pooling, such as a malfunctioning drain pump, damaged inlet valve or twisted drain hose.