Water in the Dishwasher when not in use

Do you ever wonder why your integrated or freestanding dishwasher has leftover water in the bottom, even though the cycle has ended?

Usually, the inside remains wet from the drying process, which causes condensation and water droplets to gather at the bottom. Also, if you’ve interrupted a cycle before it fully drains, you may notice standing water remaining at the bottom.

Some dishwashers have even been designed to keep some water left behind, even a top brand like a Bosch or Samsung dishwasher. This is to prevent the inner seals from drying out and to help drainage along when you run the next cycle.

It’s completely normal, especially after a cycle. However, if you find that a considerable amount of water is persistently left behind, you may have a problem, such as a blockage caused by a clogged drainage pipe or filter. You could also have a kinked draining hose, a malfunctioning pump or an issue with your sink’s water supply or central drain system.

Read our ‘How to unblock a dishwasher’ guide to learn what you can do yourself. If you still have too much water in the bottom, you may need to contact an engineer to diagnose and resolve.

We advise regular upkeep and maintenance, which includes cleaning the inside of your dishwasher, checking and cleaning the filter regularly, and checking the draining hose. This can help prevent the possibility of blockages that cause excessive water buildup.