Naperville 
Why Won't My Dishwasher Drain?
Standing water at the bottom of the tub after a cycle almost always means something is physically blocking the water's path out, rather than a control or timer problem. Most of the time it's a clog somewhere between the tub and the kitchen sink drain line, not a failed part.
Things to Check Before Calling for Repair
- Clean the drain filter. Most GE dishwashers have a removable cylindrical filter at the bottom of the tub, under the lower spray arm. Food particles collect here over time and are the single most common cause of poor draining. Twist and lift it out, rinse it under the tap, and reseat it.
- Check the air gap, if your sink has one. A small chrome cylinder near the faucet on some installations, it can clog with debris the same way the filter does. Unscrew the cap and clear anything visible inside.
- Check the drain hose for kinks. Look behind the dishwasher and under the sink where it connects, a hose pinched during installation or bunched over time will restrict draining the same way a clog does.
- Remove the garbage disposal knockout plug, on a new installation. If the dishwasher drains into a garbage disposal, there's a knockout plug inside the disposal's inlet that has to be knocked out during installation, if it's still in place the dishwasher has nowhere to drain to. This is a common oversight after installing a new disposal or dishwasher.
- Run the disposal before starting the dishwasher if they share a drain line, this clears the disposal's own chamber first so it isn't already partly blocked when the dishwasher tries to drain through it.
When It's the Drain Pump, Not a Clog
If everything above checks out and water is still sitting in the tub, the drain pump motor or its check valve has likely failed. The check valve is a small one-way flap that stops drained water from siphoning back into the tub, if it's stuck or broken, water can come right back in even when the pump itself is working fine. Either one needs a technician to properly diagnose and replace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there standing water in my GE dishwasher after a cycle?
Almost always a clog somewhere in the drain path, the filter, the air gap, or the drain hose. Clean the filter first, since that resolves the majority of cases on its own.
What is a dishwasher air gap and does mine need one?
It's a small device, usually near the faucet, that prevents dirty sink water from siphoning back into the dishwasher. Not every installation has one (some use a high loop in the drain hose instead), but if yours does, it's a common clog point worth checking.
Do I need to remove a knockout plug for a new dishwasher installation?
Yes, if the dishwasher connects to a garbage disposal's inlet. The plug has to be knocked out from inside the disposal before the first use, otherwise the dishwasher has no way to drain through it.
How much does it cost to fix a dishwasher that won't drain?
A filter or air gap clean costs nothing. A drain pump or check valve replacement costs more in parts and labor. See our full appliance repair cost guide for typical dishwasher repair ranges.