Absolute Dishwasher Not Draining? 6 Causes and the Checks to Do First
Dirty water left in the bottom after a cycle is one of the most common dishwasher faults, and often one of the cheapest to fix. Start with the checks below before you book anyone.
Updated
🔍 R350 call-out to inspect & diagnoseQuick answer
A dishwasher that won't drain is usually blocked, not broken. Check and clean the filter at the bottom of the tub first, then make sure the drain hose isn't kinked and the sink trap or waste connection it drains into isn't blocked. If water still stays in, the drain pump is probably jammed by glass or a fruit pip, or has failed. Absolute Repairs fixes dishwashers on site across Gauteng for a R350 call-out.
Before you start
Switch the dishwasher off at the wall. Put a towel down and bail out the standing water with a cup, then sponge out the rest. Be careful: there may be broken glass in the sump.
Check these yourself
- Clean the filter. Twist out the cylindrical filter in the floor of the tub and rinse it under the tap. A blocked filter is the single most common cause.
- Look into the sump. With the filter out, check for glass, bones, lemon pips or labels sitting over the pump cover.
- Check the drain hose. Pull the machine out a little and make sure the hose isn't kinked or squashed behind it, which is common after the machine has been pushed back in.
- Check where it drains. If the hose connects to the sink trap, clear the trap. If you've just fitted a new waste disposal unit, the knock-out plug in its inlet may still be in place.
- Check the hose height. The hose should loop up to at least the height of the sink before it goes down to the drain. Without this, water can siphon back in.
The 6 common causes
1. Blocked filter
Food and grease build up, especially if plates aren't scraped. Clean it every month or two.
2. Kinked drain hose
Easy to miss behind a built-in unit. A kink anywhere stops it draining fully.
3. Blocked sink trap or waste
The dishwasher pumps into your plumbing. If the sink drains slowly too, the problem is in the plumbing.
4. Jammed drain pump
Broken glass or a pip stops the impeller. You'll often hear a hum with no water moving.
5. Failed drain pump
The motor burns out or the impeller breaks. This needs a new pump, which is a routine repair.
6. Control or sensor fault
Less common: a failed control board, pressure sensor or wiring means the pump is never told to run.
Error codes that mean a drain problem
| Brand | Code | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Bosch / Siemens | E24 | Drain blocked: filter, hose or sink connection |
| Bosch / Siemens | E25 | Drain pump blocked or its cover jammed |
| Samsung | 5C / 5E / OC | Drain error, or water level too high |
| LG | OE | Water not draining |
| Hisense | E2 / E3 (varies by model) | Drain or water level fault; check your manual |
Codes vary by model and year, so treat this as a guide and check your manual.
When to call a technician
If the filter, hose and sink are all clear and the dishwasher still won't drain, or it hums without pumping, the drain pump or controls need testing. We test the pump, clear or replace it, and check that the dishwasher completes a full cycle before we leave.
We repair Bosch, Siemens, Samsung, LG, Defy, Hisense, Smeg, Miele and Whirlpool dishwashers. See our appliance repair cost guide for what to expect.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there water in the bottom of my dishwasher?
A little water around the filter area is normal on some models. More than a few centimetres usually means a blocked filter, a kinked drain hose, a blocked sink trap or a jammed drain pump.
Can I use my dishwasher if it isn't draining?
Not until it's fixed. Running it again just fills it further and can cause a leak onto your floor.
What does E24 mean on a Bosch dishwasher?
E24 means the water is not draining away. Clean the filter, check the drain hose for kinks and make sure the sink connection is clear. If it persists, the drain pump may be blocked (E25) or faulty.
How long does a drain pump repair take?
Usually under an hour on site once we have the part. Common pumps are available in Gauteng the same or next day.
Dishwasher still full of water?
WhatsApp us the brand, model number and any error code on the display. Monday to Saturday, 07:30–17:30.