Standing Water in the Dishwasher Tub? Start With the Filter

A small amount of water below the filter area can be normal on some dishwashers. A visible pool covering the bottom of the tub after the cycle is different and deserves a drainage check.

Let the machine cool, then remove and clean the user-accessible filter according to the manual. Food debris, labels and broken glass can restrict flow, so handle the area carefully. Check the visible sump for obvious debris without reaching into hidden pump components.

Inspect the external drain hose where it is safely visible. A sharp kink can prevent normal drainage. If the dishwasher connects through a disposer, a recent plumbing change is useful context because an installation issue can affect the drain path.

Run only the normal drain or cancel function described for the model. If the pump hums but water does not move, or if the dishwasher shows the same drain code repeatedly, stop cycling it and schedule service.

Water on the floor raises a different concern. If it approaches an outlet or electrical connection, follow Water Near an Outlet: The One Situation That Overrides Every Other Rule.

For filtration and cloudy glassware, see The Cloudy Glass Problem Usually Comes Down to This Filter. If the controls are dark, read Dishwasher Panel Gone Silent? Work Through This Before Booking Service.

### Before booking
Take a photo of the water level, note the error code if one appears and tell the technician whether the pump can be heard. That is more useful than repeatedly adding drain cleaner, which should not be poured into a dishwasher.

Author: Marco Bellini