Dishwasher Not Draining — Repair Cost
An inch of murky water in the bottom after every cycle. The #1 dishwasher complaint — and the one most likely to be a free fix, because the drain path clogs long before the drain pump dies.
National averages for independent repair companies. Service-call/diagnostic fees ($75–$150) are usually applied toward the repair. Costs vary by brand, model, and city.
What causes it — and what each fix costs
Clogged filter and sump
Food debris packs the cylindrical filter at the tub bottom. Twist it out and rinse — free, and the answer half the time.
Drain hose kinked or plugged
The high-loop kinks behind the machine, or gunk plugs where it meets the disposal.
Disposal knockout never removed
The classic after a new garbage disposal install: the drain port’s knockout plug is still in place. Free fix, mildly embarrassing, extremely common.
Air gap clogged
The little chrome cylinder by the faucet packs with debris and backs everything up.
Drain pump failed
With the whole path clear, a silent or grinding pump is the culprit.
Repair or replace?
Repair — and usually just cleaning. Run the free checks before booking anyone.
We'll quote you on hauling it away — or buying it.
Not every dishwasher is worth repairing, and we'd rather tell you that than sell you a repair. If you're replacing it, we'll give you a free quote either way: scrap pickup for a machine that's finished, or a cash offer if it still has life in it. Working units, recent models and premium brands are often worth real money.
Common questions
We just installed a garbage disposal and the dishwasher stopped draining — related?
100%. The disposal’s dishwasher inlet ships with a knockout plug that must be punched out at install. Two minutes with a screwdriver fixes it.
Model-specific guides for this problem
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