Most dishwashers have a filter, and most people never clean it
Newer dishwashers do not grind food up the way older ones did. Instead, they catch it in a filter at the bottom of the tub, usually a round cylinder you twist out with a mesh screen under it. When that filter fills up, water cannot get to the drain, and it sits in the tub after the cycle ends.
Your owner's manual will show exactly where yours is. On most models it sits in the bottom center, under the lower spray arm.
How to clean it safely
Make sure the dishwasher is off and the cycle is finished. Pull out the bottom rack, then twist the filter counterclockwise and lift it out along with the flat screen.
- Rinse both under warm water and scrub gently with a soft brush and a little dish soap.
- Do not use a wire brush or anything sharp, because a torn screen lets food through to the pump.
- Put both pieces back the way they came out and twist the filter until it locks.
Before you reach into the opening where the filter sits, look first. Broken glass and bits of bone end up down there. Use a paper towel or tongs to pick out anything you see instead of bare fingers.
Run a short test cycle
Once it is back together, run a short or rinse cycle with the dishwasher empty and check the bottom of the tub when it ends. A little bit of water on the bottom is normal on many models. A tub with standing water up past the filter is not.
If it still holds water, or you hear humming with no draining, the problem is probably farther along, like the drain hose, the pump or the drain connection under the sink. That is when it is time for a $79 diagnostic before company shows up. Call me at (470) 999-7395 or book online.
