Troubleshooting guide

Why a dishwasher is not draining

Standing water at the bottom of the dishwasher usually points to the filter, pump area, or outlet path to the siphon. These are the safest first checks.

Dishwasher4 minUpdated 2026-04-19

Search intent

The user wants to know whether to start with the filter and hose or whether the drain pump likely needs service.

Symptom summary

A dishwasher often refuses to complete the cycle if it cannot drain water within the expected time.

Likely causes

  • A blocked filter or broken glass near the pump area.
  • A clogged siphon connection or drain hose.
  • A weak or blocked drain pump.

Safe DIY checks

  1. Disconnect power, clean the filters, and inspect the pump area.
  2. Check the hose and siphon connection for kinks or blockage.
  3. If the same fault returns after cleaning, plan for service.

When to stop

  • Stop if there is a visible water leak or the dishwasher trips the breaker.
  • Stop if the pump is noisy while water still does not drain.

Next step

Turn the guide into a real FixLens diagnosis

The guide narrows the problem, but the FixLens diagnosis also accounts for the exact brand, model, and error code.

Related codes

Directly related error-code pages

Bosch · E:61-03

Dishwasher Drainage Issue Detected

The dishwasher reports a drainage fault or restricted drain path. Start by checking the filter, pump area, and siphon connection.