Clogged Drain or Broken Dishwasher?

A dishwasher that is not draining doesn't always mean a broken dishwasher. The source of the problem can at the sink, the garbage disposer, the drain hose, or a clogged vent (air gap). Before calling a repair company or buying a new dishwasher here are some things to try when your dishwasher is not draining.

1. Check the sink drain - a clogged kitchen sink drain can prevent the dishwasher from draining. Unclog the sink drain to see if that solves the dishwasher problem.
2. Check the garbage disposal - run the disposer to clear the drain. Unclog the disposer if necessary.
3. Check the dishwasher drain connection and venting - the drain hose and vent should be unobstructed and installed properly to allow the dishwasher to drain well.