How to Unclog a Dishwasher

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Over time, your dishwasher may not drain as quickly due to a clog in the drain hose. These clogs can become a serious problem if left untreated. Detach the drain hose by removing the dishwasher's kickplate and loosening the hose's wire clamp fastener. Remove clogs by bending the hose back and forth, flushing it with water, or snaking it with a straightened coat hanger. Finish unclogging by applying removal techniques to the recirculation hose, then reattach the drainage and recirculation hoses to the dishwasher.

Get Product Support Solve Any Problem

wH
Hi there! Do you have a question about how to use or repair your home appliance? I’ve read the manuals so you don’t have to. Select your product, brand, and model, then ask away!
*
*
Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Detaching the Drain Hose

PDF download Download Article
  1. Most of the supplies you'll need to break up dishwasher clogs can be found around your home. In the event that you need to purchase any supplies or replacement parts, do so at your local hardware store. For this project, you'll need:
    • Clean rag
    • Flashlight (optional; recommended)
    • Garden hose
    • Pan (to catch water and debris)
    • Pliers
    • Screwdriver
    • Wire coat hanger (optional)
  2. Unplug your dishwasher from the wall outlet. Dishwashers that are wired into your home's electrical supply may require you to remove a fuse from a fuse box or flip a breaker in the circuit breaker panel to "Off" to disconnect the power. [1]
    • Some fuse boxes may be poorly labeled. Verify power has been cut to your dishwasher by making sure it can't turn on after removing a fuse or switching off a breaker.
    Advertisement
  3. The kickplate is a piece of metal or wood below the door of the dishwasher. Use a screwdriver to remove the fasteners connecting the kickplate if necessary. Once removed, set the plate off to the side and keep the screws where they won't be lost, like in a plastic baggie.
    • Depending on your dishwasher model, your kickplate may use different kinds of fasteners, like snap fasteners, which generally release when pulled firmly.
    • Some models of dishwasher may need to have the door open for you to be able reach the screws. After unscrewing, close the door and remove the kickplate. [2]
  4. The drain hose usually ties into the sink drain. Behind the kickplate, locate the drain hose, which should run between the dishwasher pump and the drain. The dishwasher pump is usually located underneath the lower spray bar. The hose is generally made of flexible, thick, corrugated plastic.
    • Some dishwashers may be designed so that the drain hose runs between the pump and the air gap found at the top of the sink near the faucet or directly to a garbage disposal.
    • The spray bar of most dishwashers looks like a thin strip of metal with jets on top. Some dishwashers may have a lower and upper bar, one for each inner basket.
    • You should notice a second hose alongside the drain hose. This is a recirculation hose, which may also have a blockage. Leave this hose for now and focus on the drainage hose. [3]
  5. [4] If the plastic shows signs of brittleness, cracking, or other kinds of deterioration, the hose should be replaced. Replace hoses with kinks, as well. Replacement parts can be found at your local hardware or appliance store.
    • Stray shards of glass can tear the hose. [5]
    • Kinks usually form in a hose when it is poorly supported. Use zip ties or a water resistant cord, like one made of nylon, to support areas of the hose that sag.
    • Some models may require a special hose or connector. These parts can be ordered from the manufacturer. Find information on ordering in your owner's manual.
  6. Place a shallow pan beneath the point where the hose connects to the dishwasher. To catch whatever might remain in the line, use things like baking sheets, paint trays, or casserole dishes. [6]
    • Keep a dry rag handy as you work. Water can make hardware slippery. Wipe wet hardware as necessary with your dry rag.
  7. Lay your flashlight so you can see where the hose connects to the pump. At this connection, there will be a wire clamp. Pinch this clamp with pliers to loosen it, then slide the clamp up the hose. Pull the hose free of the pump and remove it from underneath the dishwasher. [7]
    • You may need to wiggle the hose back and forth to loosen it before you are able to pull it free, particularly with older models.
    • Take the wire clamp off of the hose to prevent the clamp from being lost while unclogging it. Keep this in a safe place with the screws for the kickplate.
    8. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Removing Clogs

PDF download Download Article
  1. Take the hose in your hands and bend it back and forth every few inches for the entire length of the hose. This will loosen severe blockages and may even resolve light clogs.
    • If you feel more resistance than usual when bending the hose, there is likely a blockage. Target these areas.
    • While you’re physically breaking up clogs, keep the end of your hose positioned over your drip pan or a bucket to catch anything that falls out. [8]
  2. A directed stream of water should be able to flush out your clogs. Hold a garden hose to one end of your drain hose and turn on the water supply for the garden hose to eject blockages.
    • Faucets with similar pressure to a garden hose can be used in the same way as garden hoses. Hold one end of the drain hose to the faucet and turn it on full pressure to flush out blockages. [9]
  3. [10] Use pliers to straighten a wire coat hanger. When completely straight, pass the hanger through the hose and push it out through the other end. This technique is especially useful for severe blockages. [11]
    • Take care to completely straighten your coat hanger. Bent ends can catch on the corrugation of the drain hose, damaging it.
    4. Advertisement
Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Unblocking the Recirculation Hose

PDF download Download Article
  1. The recirculation hose should be fastened to the pump in the same way as the drain hose. Position your catch pan, remove the hose, physically loosen the clogs, and apply flushing and snaking techniques as necessary. [12]
  2. In the rare case that your blockage is too severe to be removed by flushing or wire hanger snaking, you may need to replace your hose. Replacement hoses can be bought at your local hardware store, home center, or by ordering them from the manufacturer in the fashion described in the dishwasher’s manual.
    • If there don’t seem to be any issues with your hose or if you’ve replaced it and it still drains poorly, the issue may be with the drain. In this case, you’ll likely have to unclog it . [13]
  3. Use firm pressure to push hoses back onto the pump connections. Slide the wire clamps back up hoses to their original position at the hose/pump connection. Pinch clamps with your pliers until they are firmly fastened.
  4. [14] After replacing the hoses, return power to the dishwasher and then run a normal cycle while it is empty. Watch it as it runs to verify everything that is properly connected and nothing is leaking.
    • If you notice any abnormal leakage while running your dishwasher, turn it off immediately and disconnect it from power.
    • Refasten the hoses that leak. Persistent leaking may be an indication you need to replace a hose. [15]
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Why is my dishwasher leaking from the bottom?
    Gevorg Grigorian
    Appliance Repair Expert
    Gevorg Grigorian is an Appliance Repair Specialist and the Owner of G and R Appliance Repair in Los Angeles, California. With over 15 years of experience, Gevorg specializes in residential and commercial appliance repairs as well as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) services. Gevorg holds a BS in Business Administration and Management from California State University-Northridge.
    Gevorg Grigorian
    Appliance Repair Expert
    Expert Answer
    A dishwasher that's leaking from the bottom usually indicates there's a tear in one of the hoses. I suggest you replace any torn hoses or hire a technician to do so.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      Warnings

      • Using a liquid drain clearing agent, like Draino or Liquid Plumber, that isn’t formulated for your dishwasher could damage your dishwasher.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Clean rag
      • Flashlight (optional; recommended)
      • Garden hose
      • Pan (to catch water and debris)
      • Pliers
      • Screwdriver
      • Wire coat hanger (optional)

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Fix a Dishwasher with Drainage Issues: Troubleshooting & Solutions
      How to
      Remove Soap Scum from a Dishwasher
      How to
      Use Dishwasher Salt
      3 Easy Ways to Reboot a KitchenAid Dishwasher
      How to
      Reset a Frigidaire Dishwasher
      How to
      Reset a GE Dishwasher
      How to
      Fix Your Bosch Dishwasher and Restart It
      How to
      Load a Dishwasher
      How to
      Fit an Integrated Dishwasher Door
      How to
      Install a Built In Dishwasher
      How to
      Clean Fine China in a Dishwasher
      How to
      Install a Samsung Dishwasher
      Replacing a Dishwasher Water Inlet Valve
      How to
      Use the Sanitize Setting on a Bosch SilencePlus 50 dBA Dishwasher
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/appliance-repair/dishwasher-repair/dishwasher-not-draining/view-all
      2. ↑ https://www.partselect.com/Dishwasher+check-drain-hose+repair.htm
      3. ↑ https://www.partselect.com/Dishwasher+check-drain-hose+repair.htm
      4. ↑ Gevorg Grigorian. Appliance Repair Expert. Expert Interview. 30 July 2020.
      5. ↑ Gevorg Grigorian. Appliance Repair Expert. Expert Interview. 30 July 2020.
      6. ↑ https://www.partselect.com/Dishwasher+check-drain-hose+repair.htm
      7. ↑ https://www.partselect.com/Dishwasher+check-drain-hose+repair.htm
      8. ↑ https://www.partselect.com/Dishwasher+check-drain-hose+repair.htm
      9. ↑ https://www.partselect.com/Dishwasher+check-drain-hose+repair.htm
      1. ↑ Gevorg Grigorian. Appliance Repair Expert. Expert Interview. 30 July 2020.
      2. ↑ https://www.ahs.com/home-matters/repair-maintenance/how-to-tackle-dishwasher-draining-issues
      3. ↑ https://www.partselect.com/Dishwasher+check-drain-hose+repair.htm
      4. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/appliance-repair/dishwasher-repair/dishwasher-not-draining/view-all
      5. ↑ Gevorg Grigorian. Appliance Repair Expert. Expert Interview. 30 July 2020.
      6. ↑ https://www.partselect.com/Dishwasher+check-drain-hose+repair.htm

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To unclog a dishwasher, unplug the appliance, remove the kickplate, and locate the drain hose, which runs between the dishwasher's pump and the drain. Next, unclamp the hose and remove it completely from the pump. You can break up clogs by bending the hose back and forth with your hands, or flush the drain hose with a directed stream of water using a garden hose. If you're dealing with a stubborn clog, try snaking the hose with a wire coat hanger! For tips on when to replace a dishwasher hose, read on!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 264,444 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Megan Sholes

        Feb 14, 2021

        "I am a woman who has no experience with repairing large appliances or things in my home. I usually leave that to ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement