Countertop dishwasher not draining: normal water or a fault?
A small amount of water in the sump can be normal; a tub that remains full after a completed cycle needs attention. Start with the accessible filter, external drain hose and sink—not a replacement pump.
First, describe the water you can see
Look after the program has actually finished. Water noticed during a wash or immediately after an interruption does not establish a drainage fault. Danby explicitly says some residual water at the end is normal; its manual does not give a universal depth or milliliter limit. Do not transfer an internet “normal water level” to every model.
| What you observe | Useful next check |
|---|---|
| A little water low in the sump; cycle ended normally | Read the model’s residual-water guidance before treating it as a fault. |
| Water covering the tub floor after completion | Check the owner-accessible drainage path and any displayed error. |
| Sink also drains slowly | Address the sink obstruction; replacing dishwasher parts will not clear it. |
| Water leaking outside the machine | Stop operation and shut off the water supply safely. Do not keep test-running it. |
A sensible inspection order
- Stop the appliance, allow hot water and dishes to cool, and disconnect power before maintenance.
- Remove and rinse the filter only as your manual describes. Food caught here is something an owner can address; opening the pump housing is a different job.
- Inspect the external hose for a kink, crushed section or a route outside the installation limits. Check that the outlet has not been displaced or blocked.
- Refit the filter securely. Only retry the manual’s normal operation if the installation is sound and there is no leak or electrical concern.
The CDC17P2AWW specifies a drain-hose height limit of 39¼ inches above its supporting surface. That is a rule for this COMFEE model, not a height allowance for every portable dishwasher. Danby also warns against substituting longer hoses.
When cleaning is not enough
If the problem repeats, send support the exact model, error code, cycle stage, a photo of the hose route and whether the sink drains normally. Describe any pump noise without assuming it proves a failed pump. Leave internal electrical, pump and valve work to service. Avoid drain-cleaner chemicals or improvised compressed-air methods inside the appliance.
Questions that come up next
Should I sponge out every drop after every wash?
Not just because you see residual sump water. Follow the model’s normal-use instructions; storage and freezing preparation are separate situations.
Do I need a new dishwasher?
A drainage symptom alone is not a reason to replace it. Check the owner-maintenance items and obtain a diagnosis first.
Your next useful step
Resolve the drainage path before shopping for parts or another appliance.
Sources and scope
This is research-based guidance, not a hands-on test or an individual repair diagnosis. Match the exact model and current manual; where instructions conflict, ask the manufacturer.
- Danby DDW631SDB manual — printed pages 4, 10–13.
- COMFEE CDC17P2AWW manual — pages 26–27.