Dishwasher not draining (Bosch, Beko & Neff)
✅ Safe to check yourself
This is a common, low-risk check most people can do safely. Always unplug the appliance (or isolate power) before touching internal parts.
Quick TipTake a photo of the appliance's model/serial number sticker now — you'll want it if this does end up needing a part or an engineer.
Standing water in the bottom of a dishwasher at the end of a cycle is almost always a blocked filter or drain hose — the same story as a washing machine, and just as easy to fix yourself.
What to check first
- Remove the bottom basket and lift out the filter assembly in the base of the tub (usually twists anti-clockwise to release) — this traps food debris and needs cleaning periodically, more often if you don’t scrape plates before loading.
- Rinse it thoroughly under a tap, removing any trapped food, glass shards, or labels.
- Check the small drain pump area beneath the filter for anything caught in the impeller (a bay leaf stalk, olive stone, and fruit stickers are surprisingly common culprits).
- If your dishwasher drains via the kitchen sink’s waste connection, check that isn’t blocked — try running the sink tap to confirm it drains freely.
- Check the drain hose isn’t kinked behind the machine, especially if it’s been moved recently.
When to call an engineer
If the filter, pump area, and hose are all clear and water still isn’t draining, the drain pump motor itself has likely failed — a routine part swap for an engineer.