That sinking feeling when you open the dishwasher door and find a pool of murky, smelly water is something no homeowner wants to deal with. I've seen it countless times in homes from Plano to McKinney. The good news? It's rarely a sign of a catastrophic failure. In my experience, a simple clogged filter is behind over 90% of Frigidaire dishwasher drain problems.
Before you even think about calling for a repair, a few simple checks can often solve the issue in minutes.
What to Check First When Your Dishwasher Won't Drain
![A modern kitchen with a Frigidaire dishwasher installed next to a sink.](https://cdn.outrank.so/6aa6d1could be a cracked pump housing, a split hose somewhere you can't see, or a bad seal. These are not simple fixes for a homeowner in Frisco or Plano.
- A Burning Smell: Any kind of weird electrical or burning smell is an immediate red flag. Unplug that dishwasher right away and don’t even think about running it again until a technician has had a look.
For homeowners in Plano and Celina, getting a professional diagnosis is the smartest path forward. An experienced tech can tell you in minutes if you have a dead motor or a fried control board, saving you from causing more damage and protecting your floors from a nasty leak.
It's amazing how much smart technology has changed appliance repair. Many new Frigidaire models will actually send an alert to your phone if they detect a draining problem, which can sometimes help diagnose the issue without a service call. Since drainage problems are still one of the top reasons people call for repairs, this is a huge help. You can actually learn more about trends in the dishwasher market at mordorintelligence.com to see how this technology is becoming more common.
Got More Questions? We've Got Answers for Frisco and McKinney Residents
Even after you've got your dishwasher draining again, a few questions might pop up. It's totally normal. Here are some of the most common things we hear from homeowners in Plano, Frisco, and all over North Dallas when we're out on a job.
Why Does My Frigidaire Dishwasher Smell So Bad and Still Have Water in It?
That nasty smell mixed with standing water is a classic sign of a clog. Almost every time, it's caused by old food particles that have gotten trapped somewhere in the filter or down in the drain hose.
When the water can't get out, it just sits there and stagnates. That's the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, and that's what creates the foul odor. Once you follow the steps to clean out that filter and clear the hose, you'll usually knock out both problems at once.
For any stubborn smells that linger, just pour a cup of plain white vinegar into a dishwasher-safe bowl, place it on the top rack, and run a hot, empty cycle. It works like a charm.
Can a Clogged Garbage Disposal Stop My Dishwasher From Draining?
You bet it can. This is one of the most common culprits we see. For the vast majority of homes in Plano and Allen, the dishwasher's drain hose connects directly to an inlet on the side of the garbage disposal. If your disposal is backed up with food, the dishwasher water has nowhere to go but back into the tub.
A good habit is to always run your disposal with cold water for 15-20 seconds right before you start a dishwasher cycle. This ensures the path is clear. Another thing we often find with new installations is that the small knockout plug inside the disposal's dishwasher inlet was never removed. If that plug is still in place, it's a solid blockage.
Pro Tip: Think of your garbage disposal as part of your dishwasher's drainage system. If you've already checked the filter and hose for clogs, the disposal is the next logical place to look.
Is It Normal to See a Little Water at the Bottom of the Dishwasher?
Yes, a small pool of clean water right in the filter area at the bottom is perfectly fine. Most Frigidaire models are actually designed to keep a cup or two of water in that sump area.
That little bit of water serves a really important function: it keeps the pump's seals from drying out. If those seals were to get dry and brittle, they would crack and you'd end up with a leak under your dishwasher.
However, if you're seeing more than an inch of water, or if the water is dirty and covers the whole bottom of the tub, that's a definite sign you have a drainage issue that needs to be fixed.
If you've worked through these steps and your Frigidaire dishwasher is still giving you trouble, don't let a small issue turn into a major water damage headache. The expert technicians at ThumbUp.Pro are always ready to help homeowners in McKinney, Frisco, and across North Dallas. We can often get you a same-day or next-day appointment to get your kitchen back on track.
You can book your repair online and save $20.