# Advice--plugged drain on countertop dishwasher **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 25, 2025, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-plugged-drain-on-countertop-dishwasher/1014754 "2025-02-25T01:10:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2025, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-plugged-drain-on-countertop-dishwasher/1014754/1 "2025-02-25T01:10:24Z")
Title says it all. I’ve tried vinegar, hot water, liquid soap (you can unplug a toilet with it, so why not?) and Zap Drain defense (non-caustic enzyme–don’t hurt pipes), snake and plunger. Nada. Phooey. Not gonna call the repair guy until tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2025, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-plugged-drain-on-countertop-dishwasher/1014754/2 "2025-02-25T01:13:06Z")
Photos would help. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2025, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-plugged-drain-on-countertop-dishwasher/1014754/3 "2025-02-25T01:37:03Z")
Why? It’s a plugged drain. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2025, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-plugged-drain-on-countertop-dishwasher/1014754/4 "2025-02-25T01:46:41Z")
I don’t know how to post to the SDMB with my own images ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2025, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-plugged-drain-on-countertop-dishwasher/1014754/5 "2025-02-25T01:48:49Z")
Can you at least tell us the manufacturer and model of the countertop dishwasher? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2025, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-plugged-drain-on-countertop-dishwasher/1014754/6 "2025-02-25T01:55:22Z")
If I turn it around to look at the back, I will have water everywhere. And likely drop it. 4 links to images. [https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/8093f579-a356-407e-a47f-aef2d4627cab/dj8ujj3-a33de050-e2f6-437c-9892-28548aaa9ecf.jpg/v1/fill/w\_1032,h\_774,q\_70,strp/img\_20250224\_193905330\_by\_bosda\_dj8ujj3-pre.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9OTYwIiwicGF0aCI6IlwvZlwvODA5M2Y1NzktYTM1Ni00MDdlLWE0N2YtYWVmMmQ0NjI3Y2FiXC9kajh1amozLWEzM2RlMDUwLWUyZjYtNDM3Yy05ODkyLTI4NTQ4YWFhOWVjZi5qcGciLCJ3aWR0aCI6Ijw9MTI4MCJ9XV0sImF1ZCI6WyJ1cm46c2VydmljZTppbWFnZS5vcGVyYXRpb25zIl19.8A9OZwBmNFfsT5Jz4X9Oz4ES5ZBhZ1AY7IEr9jE\_7FQ](https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/8093f579-a356-407e-a47f-aef2d4627cab/dj8ujj3-a33de050-e2f6-437c-9892-28548aaa9ecf.jpg/v1/fill/w_1032,h_774,q_70,strp/img_20250224_193905330_by_bosda_dj8ujj3-pre.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9OTYwIiwicGF0aCI6IlwvZlwvODA5M2Y1NzktYTM1Ni00MDdlLWE0N2YtYWVmMmQ0NjI3Y2FiXC9kajh1amozLWEzM2RlMDUwLWUyZjYtNDM3Yy05ODkyLTI4NTQ4YWFhOWVjZi5qcGciLCJ3aWR0aCI6Ijw9MTI4MCJ9XV0sImF1ZCI6WyJ1cm46c2VydmljZTppbWFnZS5vcGVyYXRpb25zIl19.8A9OZwBmNFfsT5Jz4X9Oz4ES5ZBhZ1AY7IEr9jE_7FQ) [https://www.deviantart.com/bosda/art/Img-20250224-193836494-1163718718](https://www.deviantart.com/bosda/art/Img-20250224-193836494-1163718718) [https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/8093f579-a356-407e-a47f-aef2d4627cab/dj8ujbl-faf76f5b-8799-4cc1-a123-3d01e51017ed.jpg/v1/fit/w\_828,h\_1104,q\_70,strp/img\_20250224\_193844642\_by\_bosda\_dj8ujbl-414w-2x.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9MTcwNyIsInBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzgwOTNmNTc5LWEzNTYtNDA3ZS1hNDdmLWFlZjJkNDYyN2NhYlwvZGo4dWpibC1mYWY3NmY1Yi04Nzk5LTRjYzEtYTEyMy0zZDAxZTUxMDE3ZWQuanBnIiwid2lkdGgiOiI8PTEyODAifV1dLCJhdWQiOlsidXJuOnNlcnZpY2U6aW1hZ2Uub3BlcmF0aW9ucyJdfQ.TkQTmqn8fYCCvkM7QoaQidhQcBWMUVd8FqPPpGWyYQg](https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/8093f579-a356-407e-a47f-aef2d4627cab/dj8ujbl-faf76f5b-8799-4cc1-a123-3d01e51017ed.jpg/v1/fit/w_828,h_1104,q_70,strp/img_20250224_193844642_by_bosda_dj8ujbl-414w-2x.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9MTcwNyIsInBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzgwOTNmNTc5LWEzNTYtNDA3ZS1hNDdmLWFlZjJkNDYyN2NhYlwvZGo4dWpibC1mYWY3NmY1Yi04Nzk5LTRjYzEtYTEyMy0zZDAxZTUxMDE3ZWQuanBnIiwid2lkdGgiOiI8PTEyODAifV1dLCJhdWQiOlsidXJuOnNlcnZpY2U6aW1hZ2Uub3BlcmF0aW9ucyJdfQ.TkQTmqn8fYCCvkM7QoaQidhQcBWMUVd8FqPPpGWyYQg) [https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/8093f579-a356-407e-a47f-aef2d4627cab/dj8ujg0-72fa7c76-5cf5-4ada-8887-781f7b230374.jpg/v1/fill/w\_1280,h\_1707,q\_75,strp/img\_20250224\_193849895\_by\_bosda\_dj8ujg0-fullview.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9MTcwNyIsInBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzgwOTNmNTc5LWEzNTYtNDA3ZS1hNDdmLWFlZjJkNDYyN2NhYlwvZGo4dWpnMC03MmZhN2M3Ni01Y2Y1LTRhZGEtODg4Ny03ODFmN2IyMzAzNzQuanBnIiwid2lkdGgiOiI8PTEyODAifV1dLCJhdWQiOlsidXJuOnNlcnZpY2U6aW1hZ2Uub3BlcmF0aW9ucyJdfQ.Vc4-p7pLAbw1b-ne-bTeJAaUm1ORFFScLtG8rhg\_v\_0](https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/8093f579-a356-407e-a47f-aef2d4627cab/dj8ujg0-72fa7c76-5cf5-4ada-8887-781f7b230374.jpg/v1/fill/w_1280,h_1707,q_75,strp/img_20250224_193849895_by_bosda_dj8ujg0-fullview.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9MTcwNyIsInBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzgwOTNmNTc5LWEzNTYtNDA3ZS1hNDdmLWFlZjJkNDYyN2NhYlwvZGo4dWpnMC03MmZhN2M3Ni01Y2Y1LTRhZGEtODg4Ny03ODFmN2IyMzAzNzQuanBnIiwid2lkdGgiOiI8PTEyODAifV1dLCJhdWQiOlsidXJuOnNlcnZpY2U6aW1hZ2Uub3BlcmF0aW9ucyJdfQ.Vc4-p7pLAbw1b-ne-bTeJAaUm1ORFFScLtG8rhg_v_0) ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2025, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-plugged-drain-on-countertop-dishwasher/1014754/7 "2025-02-25T01:58:04Z")
You might want to start by manually draining it. Just get a cup and scoop out the water. Tilt it back a bit to increase the water depth once you’ve removed some. Tedious, but it’ll make the drain more accessible and you can better see what the problem is. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2025, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-plugged-drain-on-countertop-dishwasher/1014754/8 "2025-02-25T01:59:37Z")
No dice. No way to see the side-mounted drain. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2025, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-plugged-drain-on-countertop-dishwasher/1014754/9 "2025-02-25T02:01:28Z")
I’m so stressed. Between this, my Brother in a VA Mental Hospital, my Sister saying the cruelest things she can think of, and Trump, I am ready to scream. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2025, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-plugged-drain-on-countertop-dishwasher/1014754/10 "2025-02-25T02:03:05Z")
My VPN pulling trick with the new update ain’t helping, either. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2025, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-plugged-drain-on-countertop-dishwasher/1014754/11 "2025-02-25T02:07:55Z")
Breathe deep. This is a fixable issue. I’m almost certain there is no specialized equipment required and you can fix this with just a little disassembly. But it would be very helpful if you can supply the manufacturer and a basic model name. Doesn’t have to be the precise model number, just something we can look for on the manufacturer site. They’ll have a manual that details how the drain works. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2025, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-plugged-drain-on-countertop-dishwasher/1014754/12 "2025-02-25T02:18:03Z")
Is it a Danby? This person has a picture with a part that’s identical to yours: > [![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/A2QE1o4.jpeg "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/A2QE1o4) Of course, it could be one of those situations where many manufacturers put their label on the same product. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2025, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-plugged-drain-on-countertop-dishwasher/1014754/13 "2025-02-25T02:20:11Z")
No. I cannot find the manual (and that’s odd, as I save manuals on EVERYTHING), and the name plate —wait. Found it. The Manual. It’s an SPT. Either sd-2201w or sd-2201s. Troubleshooting advice is bull-puppies. made by sunpentown. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2025, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-plugged-drain-on-countertop-dishwasher/1014754/14 "2025-02-25T02:21:40Z")
And they no longer make countertop washers. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2025, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-plugged-drain-on-countertop-dishwasher/1014754/15 "2025-02-25T02:22:51Z")
I suspect the Zap may clean the clog, by morning. I hope. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2025, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-plugged-drain-on-countertop-dishwasher/1014754/16 "2025-02-25T02:24:39Z")
It does look like the Danby DDW621WDB and the SPT SD-2201W are just relabeled versions of the same thing. There’s a manual here: > **[C1GZeviUmsS.pdf](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/C1GZeviUmsS.pdf)** Looking through it now for ideas. The Zap may help, but I suspect you’ll just want to physically remove the debris. I would apply some air pressure from the other direction, but you probably don’t have access to an air compressor. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2025, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-plugged-drain-on-countertop-dishwasher/1014754/17 "2025-02-25T02:27:08Z")
There’s also a manual [here](https://sunpentown.com/SD-2202_manual.pdf). After reading that, my guess is that the filter is clogged. Page 13 has info on cleaning it. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2025, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-plugged-drain-on-countertop-dishwasher/1014754/18 "2025-02-25T02:29:26Z")
I can see from your pic that you’ve already removed the main/coarse/fine filters. So those aren’t clogged, at least. It’s possible that it’s not a clog at all. There will be a valve in there somewhere–possibly the valve isn’t opening. I’ve seen my dishwasher sometimes get confused and not drain, but I was able to force the drain manually. However, I don’t see that operation in the manual. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2025, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-plugged-drain-on-countertop-dishwasher/1014754/19 "2025-02-25T02:34:26Z")
Filter already removed–clog still there. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2025, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-plugged-drain-on-countertop-dishwasher/1014754/20 "2025-02-25T02:35:40Z")
Replacing it might be best. And this SPT has lasted 7-10 years. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-plugged-drain-on-countertop-dishwasher/1014754.md?page=2)