Standing water in your dishwasher after a cycle is never a good thing. Water drains normally before the door is opened. If your dishwasher won’t drain, don’t give up and start washing dishes by hand just yet. Dishwashers are among the best appliances ever invented. However, if it stops draining, you could end up with a sink full of dirty dishes or even a flooded kitchen floor. There are several things that could be wrong with your dishwasher, such as a clogged drain hose, a dirty filter basket, a broken drain valve, or a blocked air gap. Dishwasher water is removed by the drain hose. The drain of every dishwasher is covered by a filter basket. It prevents large debris from blocking the drain, but the same debris can clog both the basket and the drain. In the event that the drain valve malfunctions, the dishwasher will remain full of water after the washing cycle. The air gap prevents dirty water from backing up into the dishwasher. Your dishwasher won’t drain properly if it gets clogged. Start by running the garbage disposal. Garbage disposal drains are connected to the drain hose. You may not be able to fully empty your dishwasher if there is food stuck in the disposal. The problem may be resolved by clearing the disposal. Ensure that any blockages are removed. You will not be able to drain your dishwasher if there is a clog anywhere in it. Make sure the filter basket isn’t full of food particles by pulling it out. Make sure the air gap is not blocked. Remove any missed debris by wiping the interior and cleaning the filter. Check the drain hose. Check to see if it’s in good condition. It should be free of kinks and have a tight seal. Use a wire hanger to remove or loosen clogs. Lastly, clean the drain valve. You can access it by removing the kick plate under the dishwasher.