Dishwasher drain drains primarily through the air gap

You also might have a blockage in your air gap. Your air gap sits on your sink. You generally have the dishwasher drain line going into the air gap and then the other side of the air gap is a hose that attaches to the garbage disposal. If plastic items like stickers from vegetables and fruit go through your pump they can accumulate in the end of the air gap and cause no drain situations.If you do not have an air gap and your drain line is going directly into your garbage disposal then you need to make sure that the drain line sits higher than the dishwasher tub and has a loop in it. This will avoid any water backing back into the dishwasher when you are using your sink. You will need to take the cap off the air gap and look inside.

Many people realize the dishwasher connects to a little hose on the sink, it is called an air gap. However, many people wonder " The air gap is there to prevent the water from being siphoned out of the dishwasher. When water flows through the drain hose, it creates a suction on the water still in the dishwasher. The air gap, makes a hole for air to get in. That way, the water only leaves the dishwasher when it supposed to, when it is pumped out. Another benefit of an air gap is that if the drain hose becomes clogged, the dishwasher can still pump out the water. Instead of flowing through the hose, as it should, it can flow out the air gap and into the sink.
The dishwasher's drain line usually connects to an air gap mounted at the countertop level on the sink. The drain line continues from the air gap to either the garbage disposer or directly to the sink drain. If the drainage hose between the air gap and the drain is partially or completely blocked, wat

I would replace the air gap, they are not expensive.

remove the entire drain hose from the air gap and be sure it is clear, also the dishwasher drain should be going to your disposal, if you chose to use the air gap it should be connected from d/w to air gap then to disposal, todays dishwashers dont need an air gap.

HI. check the following areas for faults.

1. Air gap / Drain hoses
If there is an air gap (located in the sink, near the faucet), check to see if it is clogged. Unscrew the top cap and see if there is anything blocking inside. Note: If there is no air gap installed, the dishwasher might not drain properly.

If the drain hose is clogged, the dishwasher would not drain. If there is an air gap installed, it is very common that a hose going from the air gap into the garbage disposer is clogged. Remove and clean the hose. Make sure to reattach the hose before starting the dishwasher.

Note: If you recently had a garbage disposer installed, it is common to overlook removing the drain plug.

2. Broken belt
Some dishwasher models use a belt to drive the pump. Replace the belt if found broken.

Note: Sometimes the belt would just come off the pump. Even though it might not be broken, it is recommended that you replace the belt, because it is probably too stretched out.

3. Pump
Some models have two impellers inside the pump - one, wash impeller, takes care of the wash cycles, the other, drain impeller, drains the water out. If the drain impeller is broken (broken blades, shaft), the dishwasher would not drain. Replace any broken pump components.

4. Drain solenoid
Some models (for example most GE dishwashers) use a drain solenoid to drain water out. Sometimes the solenoid gets stuck, preventing the water from draining out. Try to free up the solenoid. If unsuccessful, you might have to replace the pump assembly.

5. Motor
If the motor is stuck, it is sometimes possible to free it up by manually spinning the motor.

Replace the motor if defective.

6. Timer
Replace if defective (note: uncommon problem).

HI. check the following areas for faults.

1. Air gap / Drain hoses
If there is an air gap (located in the sink, near the faucet), check to see if it is clogged. Unscrew the top cap and see if there is anything blocking inside. Note: If there is no air gap installed, the dishwasher might not drain properly.

If the drain hose is clogged, the dishwasher would not drain. If there is an air gap installed, it is very common that a hose going from the air gap into the garbage disposer is clogged. Remove and clean the hose. Make sure to reattach the hose before starting the dishwasher.

Note: If you recently had a garbage disposer installed, it is common to overlook removing the drain plug.

2. Broken belt
Some dishwasher models use a belt to drive the pump. Replace the belt if found broken.

Note: Sometimes the belt would just come off the pump. Even though it might not be broken, it is recommended that you replace the belt, because it is probably too stretched out.

3. Pump
Some models have two impellers inside the pump - one, wash impeller, takes care of the wash cycles, the other, drain impeller, drains the water out. If the drain impeller is broken (broken blades, shaft), the dishwasher would not drain. Replace any broken pump components.

4. Drain solenoid
Some models (for example most GE dishwashers) use a drain solenoid to drain water out. Sometimes the solenoid gets stuck, preventing the water from draining out. Try to free up the solenoid. If unsuccessful, you might have to replace the pump assembly.

5. Motor
If the motor is stuck, it is sometimes possible to free it up by manually spinning the motor.

Replace the motor if defective.

6. Timer
Replace if defective (note: uncommon problem).

If there is an air gap (located in the sink, near the faucet), check to see if it is clogged. Unscrew the top cap and see if there is anything blocking inside. Note: If there is no air gap installed, the dishwasher might not drain properly.

If the drain hose is clogged, the dishwasher would not drain. If there is an air gap installed, it is very common that a hose going from the air gap into the garbage disposer is clogged. Remove and clean the hose. Make sure to reattach the hose before starting the dishwasher.

Note: If you recently had a garbage disposer installed, it is common to overlook removing the drain plug.

Some models have two impellers inside the pump - one, wash impeller, takes care of the wash cycles, the other, drain impeller, drains the water out. If the drain impeller is broken (broken blades, shaft), the dishwasher would not drain. Replace any broken pump components.

• Some water, usually one to two cups, remaining in the bottom of the tub is normal. However, if water is covering the bottom of the tub, the dishwasher is not draining properly.
  
  
• Check for paper or large objects covering or blocking the sump area in the rear of the tub.
  
  
• Make sure that the right type and amount of detergent is used: Using the wrong type or too much detergent can cause sudsing that can prevent the dishwasher from draining. Only detergent specifically designed for automatic dishwashers such as Electrasol®, Cascade® or Cascade Complete® should be used. If you find suds in the dishwasher.
  
  
• Check disposer plug. If a garbage disposer has been recently installed, it is possible the disposer drain plug was not removed. The drain plug is a plastic piece in the disposer that blocks the hole where the dishwasher hose connects.
  
  Please consult the Owner's Manual. Download a free copy of the Owners Manual and/or Installation Instructions. In the Installation Instructions, will be the procedure for removal of the drain plug. You may also check with the installer.



• Be sure the kitchen sink drain is not clogged. The dishwasher typically drains into the kitchen sink drain or a garbage disposer. If the dishwasher drains into a garbage disposer, run the disposer to clear the drain system. Do not put hands into the garbage disposer. Serious injury could result. You should always turn on your garbage disposer prior to running the dishwasher to clean out any food or debris within the drain system.
  
  
• Check drain hose where it connects below the sink for blockage or a kink in the hose. New dishwashers come with a white corrugated drain hose, which should be used. Re-using old, worn out drain hoses may promote kinking and blockage. If it is neccessary to extend the length of the corrugated drain hose, be sure the total length does not exceed 120 inches and the extention used is not kinked or crushed. See your dishwasher installation instructions for details.
  
  
• Check the air gap if one is installed. It could be clogged. An air gap (not part of the dishwasher) is usually located on top of the sink. Some state or local plumbing codes require the use of an air gap between the built-in dishwasher and the drain system of the home. This plumbing device is used to prevent the possibility of back flow into the dishwasher in the event of a clogged drain system. This item is not a part of the dishwasher and, therefore, the dishwasher warranty does not cover costs related to cleaning or repairing a drain air gap.
  
  
Typical air gaps are easy to inspect and clean. Be sure the dishwasher latch is in the OFF position or unlatched prior to removal of the drain air gap cover. Simply lift off the cover (usually chrome, could plastic) and unscrew or unsnap (depending on type of air gap) the plastic cap below. Remove any material that may have accumulated and replace the plastic cap and chrome cover. This simple procedure should be followed any time the dishwasher fails to drain properly.

View a short video about cleaning the air gap:
Play Video

Sometimes perceived "no drain" problems are not "no drain" problems at all, but back flow of water from the sink or some other device into the dishwasher:


• If you notice dirty water building up over time in the bottom of the dishwasher and do not have an air gap, make sure you have a high drain loop. A high drain loop is created when the drain hose is makes a loop at least 18 inches above the floor. Usually this is accomplished by attaching the drain hose to the underside of the countertop. Without a high drain loop or air gap, dirty water from the sink can flow into the dishwasher. The high drain loop prevents back flow of water from the drain into the dishwasher if an air gap is not installed. View a short video about a high drain loop:
  Play Video

By the airlock , you mean the air gap? .If the water is coming out of you air gap that means the hose that connects the air gap to your drain is clogged or your drain itself is clogged.Check the hose that connect the air gap to your drain(or disposer), check air gap and clogged disposer opening

If the water doesn't drain from your dishwasher, check these:

Drain line/air gap
Pump
Drain valve and/or solenoid
Belt
Motor
Timer
most commonly its the
Drain line/air gap Aclog in the drain line or air gap (if there is one) is the usual reasonthat a dishwasher won't drain. Often the problem is at the point wherethe drain line attaches to the garbage disposer or household drainline. If you remove this line, you can clear any debris from the hoseor hose connection. Be sure to reattach the hose before starting thedishwasher again.