Where should you check first?
The removable filter at the bottom of the tub, under the lower spray arm. This is the single most common cause of drainage problems, and it's a genuinely free fix — food debris and small items collect there over time, and most manufacturers recommend cleaning it monthly, a step a lot of households skip entirely.
What if the filter is clean and water still isn't draining?
Next, check the garbage disposal if your dishwasher drains through it — a disposal that's never been run, or one with a knockout plug still in place after a new disposal install, will completely block dishwasher drainage even though the disposal itself works fine for sink use. This is a surprisingly common miss after a kitchen remodel or new disposal installation.
What if the disposal is clear too?
Check the drain hose for kinks, especially if the dishwasher was recently moved or reinstalled — a hose bent sharply behind the unit restricts flow even without a clog. If the hose runs clear and straight, the issue likely sits with the drain pump itself, which can fail from a worn impeller or a jammed check valve.
How do you know it's the pump specifically?
A pump that's trying to run but can't move water usually makes a distinct humming or grinding sound during the drain portion of the cycle — if you hear that alongside standing water, it's a pump issue, typically a $95–$170 repair.
Call (469) 886-1122 if the filter, disposal, and hose all check out — we'll test the pump directly.