Dishwasher Bottom Filled with Water: What’s Going On?

• June 10, 2025
• Gareth Winslow
• 0 Comments

If you open your dishwasher after a cycle and see a puddle at the bottom, you’re not alone. This is one of those household headaches that can throw off your whole day—especially if you’ve got a busy kitchen like ours with two hungry kids churning through dishes. Luckily, most of the time, it's not a sign your dishwasher is toast. It's usually something simple like a filter clog or a drained hose that's out of whack.

When you spot standing water in the bottom, don’t panic. Start by unplugging the machine or switching off the circuit breaker for safety. Pull out the racks and check for obvious blockages: rice, pasta, food gunk—yep, I’ve found an entire crayon in ours before thanks to Callum. If you’re handy with a flashlight, peek around inside and see if you can spot what’s holding things up. A stubborn clump at the filter or drain is a common culprit and most people can fix this themselves in a few minutes.

• What Standing Water Means
• Most Common Causes
• Simple Checks You Can Do Yourself
• How to Get Rid of the Water
• Prevention Tips That Actually Work
• When to Call in the Pros

What Standing Water Means

Seeing a pool of water sitting at the bottom of your dishwasher right after a cycle is more than just annoying—it’s a sign that something in the cleaning or draining process didn’t happen as it should. Dishwashers are supposed to drain nearly all the water at the end, so if there’s anything more than a thin film, there’s a problem somewhere in the system. The dishwasher water should exit through a drain at the bottom, making a blockage, faulty pump, or even incorrect installation possible suspects.

Here’s the thing: a little standing water doesn’t always mean disaster. It’s actually normal to have a tiny puddle below the filter area—think half a cup, max. That water stops the seals from drying out or cracking. But anything more than that can lead to smelly, slimy buildup over time, making your dishwasher a bacteria playground. According to the CDC, moisture in appliances can boost bacteria growth by up to 90% compared to dry surfaces.

If your dishwasher isn’t draining properly, check for blockages in the filter or drain hose before calling for service. Most drainage issues are simple clogs that you can clear yourself. — Consumer Reports

So, what’s a normal amount of water to see? Here’s a quick comparison table to clear up confusion:

To put it simply: if your dishwasher’s bottom looks like a mini swimming pool, something is off. Ignore it and you’re setting yourself up for worse odors, leaks, or even water damage on your kitchen floor. Spotting the problem early is key—it’s cheaper and less stressful than scrambling to clean up a bigger mess later.

Most Common Causes

When you see standing water in your dishwasher, it usually comes down to a handful of repeat offenders. Honestly, nearly every time someone in my house has yelled, "Why is there water in the bottom again?" it's been one of these issues.

• Clogged filter or drain basket: Food particles, seeds, and even wrappers (thanks to Tamsin sneaking snacks) can gum up the works. If the filter’s blocked, water just can’t go anywhere.
• Blocked drain hose: If the hose under your sink—usually shaped like a loop or S-curve—gets kinked or full of gunk, dirty water can’t drain properly. Even a partial clog can cause backup.
• Garbage disposal connection issue: If your dishwasher drains through your disposal, a leftover knockout plug in a new setup or just built-up sludge are common problems. If you recently installed or replaced a disposal, double-check this first.
• Drain pump jam or failure: The pump pushes water out at the end. A broken or stuck pump will leave water sitting in the tub.
• Float switch stuck: Dishwashers use a float to monitor water level. If it gets stuck in the wrong spot—maybe from a stray bit of plastic or mineral buildup—the machine thinks it’s already empty and won't drain.
• Clogged or faulty air gap (if you have one): That little cylinder next to your faucet keeps dirty water from washing back in. If it gets clogged, draining is slow or nonexistent.

Here's a quick snapshot of how often each cause pops up, based on real repair reports:

Nearly 60% of standing water cases come down to something blocking a filter or hose. Before you start pricing out a new machine, it pays to check these simple fixes. Most people (even folks who say they're not "handy") can handle the basics with just a screwdriver and maybe some gloves.

Simple Checks You Can Do Yourself

Before you call anyone or start pricing out a new dishwasher, go through these easy troubleshooting steps. Sometimes a quick fix is just staring you in the face but gets missed because we expect things to be complicated.

1. Turn Off the Power
   First things first, cut off electricity to your dishwasher. This keeps you safe if you plan to poke around inside.
2. Check the Filter
   Most dishwashers have a mesh filter at the bottom. Twist or pop it out and check for clogs. Things like food bits, plastic wrap, or broken glass love to hide here. Give it a rinse under running water or scrub off any stubborn stuff.
3. Inspect the Drain Area
   With the filter out, shine a flashlight into the sump (where the water drains). Clear away whatever crud you see. Even a single cherry pit can cause a backup.
4. Peek at the Drain Hose
   This flexible hose connects your dishwasher to your plumbing. If it’s kinked or clogged, water can’t get out. To check, pull out the dishwasher (if it's not built-in tight), and look for bends or debris.
5. Run a Short Cycle
   Once you’ve done your cleanup, run the dishwasher empty on its shortest cycle. Listen at the end—do you hear water draining? If not, it's still blocked somewhere, but these steps clear things up for a lot of folks.

Here's a quick look at the areas that cause most issues and how often each pops up, based on real repair data from appliance techs:

Going through these steps often solves the dishwasher water problem without a pro. And hey, you’ll know exactly where things stand before you decide on the next move.

How to Get Rid of the Water

If you look inside your dishwasher and see water sitting there, you’ll want to clear it out fast—nobody wants leftover food and dirty water turning funky. Here’s a simple step-by-step to deal with it and get your dishwasher running like normal again.

1. Power Down – First things first: unplug your dishwasher or shut off the breaker. Water and electricity aren’t friends.
2. Remove the Racks – Pull out both racks to give yourself some space. Trust me, it’s way easier than shoving your arm around obstacles full of gunk.
3. Scoop Out Excess Water – Use a cup or a small bowl to scoop out as much water as you can. For what’s left, a towel or an old sponge works well.
4. Check the Drain Filter – Look at the bottom and twist out the filter. Rinse it under hot water and scrub off any built-up stuff—dishwashers are practically magnets for bits of pasta, seeds, or even toothpicks.
5. Check the Drain Hose – If the filter’s not clogged, it could be the drain hose. This hose connects the dishwasher to the garbage disposal or sink drain. Sometimes it kinks, or gets a blockage. Unhook it (put a towel below—some water might spill) and blow air through. Gunk stuck? A chopstick or straightened coat hanger can break up debris, but don’t go at it too aggressively or you’ll poke a hole.
6. Test a Short Cycle – Put everything back together. Plug in your dishwasher. Run a short cycle with no dishes. If it drains properly, you’re fixed. Still got water? Time for a deeper check or maybe the pump needs attention.

Here’s a quick table with common causes of standing water and quick action solutions:

The most important thing for dishwasher water troubleshooting is to go step by step; don’t skip the basics. Most times, the fix is something small, not a pricey part swap or pro visit. Just think about all the random stuff—seeds, popcorn, or the occasional Lego—that can end up down there, and you’ll see why this happens more often than you’d think.

Prevention Tips That Actually Work

Nobody craves a repeat of a dishwasher water surprise at the end of a long day. Doing a few simple things can keep your dishwasher running and that bottom basin dry.

• Clean the filter every month: Most dishwashers today have a removable filter near the base. Pop it out and rinse it under hot water, scrubbing off food grease and gunk. If you’ve got a busy house (like we do), check it more often. A clogged filter is the top reason for standing water.
• Scrape—don’t rinse—your plates: Modern machines and detergents are made to tackle stuck-on food, but scrapes of big stuff (like noodles, pits, or leafy greens) stop junk from building up and ending up in the drain.
• Run hot water before starting a cycle: Running the kitchen tap until it’s hot before you start your dishwasher helps it clean better and prevents greasy clogs. Grease that stays cool will harden and block the works over time.
• Don’t overload the racks: Jamming every space with plates or bowls makes it harder for water and food bits to flow where they need to go. That means more likely to get a blockage somewhere in the system.
• Use the right detergent: Go for dishwasher detergent, not dish soap—the suds from regular soap can mess with drains and even damage the machine. Check your detergent amount too, since too much can build up like sludge.
• Inspect the drain hose twice a year: If you’re handy, pop off the lower panel now and then and give the hose a look. Kinks, clogs, or even accidental crushed sections from moving the dishwasher can all cause trouble. No need to call in a pro unless you spot something weird or can’t clear it out.

Every month, I set a timer on my phone to check the filter. It’s maybe five minutes of effort and has saved us from a call to the repair shop. Staying on top of these little things means less drama, cleaner dishes, and more time for, well... not cleaning up pools of old water at the bottom of your dishwasher.

When to Call in the Pros

Sometimes, you just hit a wall with dishwasher fixes. Maybe you’ve cleared the filter, checked the drain hose, poked around for blockages, and that stubborn water is still there. If so, it’s probably time to get a professional involved. Sure, none of us want to shell out for a repair, but here’s where getting expert help makes sense—and can save you in the long run.

If you notice any of the following, skip the DIY and call a certified appliance technician:

• Burning smells, electrical sparks, or breaker trips when the dishwasher runs
• Standing water returns right after you drain and run a new cycle
• The machine’s control panel shows flashing error codes (like E24, which means the drain’s malfunctioning)
• There’s a leak under the dishwasher or pooling on the floor
• You find water inside after cleaning the trap, hose, and air gap, and nothing improves

These red flags often mean there’s a bigger problem with the pump, motor, or internal wiring—parts that are tricky and dangerous to fix without training. A pro knows how to safely test these and carry out repairs that actually last. Plus, pros often spot things we’d miss, like a cracked sump or a faulty float switch.

According to HomeAdvisor’s 2024 report, dishwasher repair costs in the U.S. range from $100 to $300 depending on the issue. Here’s a quick comparison of common pro repairs:

So, if you’re staring at a dishwasher water problem that just won’t quit, don’t risk flooding the kitchen or frying the wiring. A certified tech can give you back your peace of mind—and a kitchen that runs smooth again.