How To Unclog A Dishwasher | American Home Shield

The Clogged Dishwasher Nightmare

Don't panic, many of us have been there before. You open the dishwasher, ready to put the dishes away, only to look down and see a pool of soapy, grimy water standing at the bottom of the machine. You might be tempted to reach for the plunger, but you’ll need more than that to unclog a dishwasher.

Luckily, there are some simple solutions to help get rid of your gunky problem. Here are some steps on how to unclog a dishwasher when your dishwasher won’t drain.

Step 1: Empty the Machine

Before you try your hand at some DIY dishwasher plumbing , make sure you’ve removed all dishes and silverware from the machine. If they are still dirty, be sure to separate them from your other dishes so that you can return to cleaning them once your dishwasher has been fixed. You’ll also want to remove the bottom dishwasher rack for easy access to the machine.

Step 2: Disconnect Your Dishwasher

Now that the dishwasher is free of dishes, turn off the electricity running to both your dishwasher and garbage disposal. Disconnecting a dishwasher is the most important step—you could get a severe electrical shock if the current is traveling to the machine. A trip to the hospital would probably cost more than hiring a professional, and DIY is all about saving money and staying safe!

Step 3: Remove the Stagnant Water With a Towel

Once the machine has been disconnected from its power source, begin removing any standing water that your dishwasher backed up. You can do this with a towel or wet vac. You can also use a cup or bowl to scoop out the water if you don’t have a wet vac and then dry the excess moisture with a towel. Not only is this step necessary for cleaning, but it also reduces the chances of slipping and falling while working around the dishwasher.

Step 4: Check to See if the Dishwasher Drain Hose is Clogged

Now it’s time to check the dishwasher drain hose. The drain hose is the tube that links the dishwasher with your garbage disposal. The hose is located either under your sink or behind the dishwasher itself. For the latter, you’ll need to first remove your dishwasher by pulling it away from the wall to access the hose.