Dishwasher Smells Bad? 6 Causes and How to Get Rid of the Odor

By Mountain View Appliance Pros · October 24, 2026

Why does my dishwasher smell bad?

Most dishwasher odors come from food trapped in the filter, grease and food in the drain hose, standing water in the bottom of the tub, a dirty door gasket or spray arms, or a drain line that lets sink water back in. A sewer smell can also come from the garbage disposal or a missing air gap. Clean the filter first; it fixes most odors.

If the smell comes with standing water, our appliance repair Mountain View CA team can clear the drain path and test the pump.

What are the 6 most common causes?

1. Dirty filter

Most newer dishwashers have a manual filter under the bottom spray arm. It traps food and needs cleaning every few weeks. A clogged filter is the number one cause of bad smells.

2. Standing water

Water that sits in the bottom after a cycle starts to smell within days. It usually points to a clogged filter, a kinked drain hose or a weak drain pump. See dishwasher not draining.

3. Food in the drain hose

Grease and bits of food build up in the hose that runs to the sink drain or disposal. If the hose has no high loop, dirty sink water can drain back into the dishwasher.

4. Dirty door gasket and edges

The rubber seal and the bottom edge of the door trap food and moisture where water spray doesn't reach. Wipe them with warm, soapy water.

5. Clogged spray arms

Food and scale in the spray arm holes keep the tub from rinsing clean. Mountain View's water can leave mineral scale; our dishwasher hard water guide covers how to handle it.

6. Disposal or plumbing smell

If the dishwasher drains into a garbage disposal, food left in the disposal can push odors back up the hose. Run the disposal before starting the dishwasher.

How do I clean a smelly dishwasher?

1. Remove the bottom rack and take out the filter. Rinse it under warm water and scrub it with a soft brush.
2. Wipe out any food in the filter well and the bottom of the tub.
3. Pull off the spray arms if they unclip, and clear the holes with a toothpick.
4. Wipe the door gasket and the bottom edge of the door.
5. Run the garbage disposal, then check that the drain hose has a high loop under the sink.
6. Run a hot, empty cycle with a dishwasher cleaner, or a cup of white vinegar on the top rack.

Repeat the filter cleaning every two to four weeks. Scrape plates before loading, but don't pre-rinse heavily; the detergent needs some food to work on.

When should you call a technician?

Call if the smell comes back within a few days after a full cleaning, if water stays in the tub after every cycle, if you smell burning or hot plastic, or if sink water backs up into the dishwasher. These point to a drain pump, check valve, drain hose or wiring problem. Most dishwasher repairs in Mountain View run about $150 to $400 with parts and labor.

A burning smell is different from a food smell. Turn the dishwasher off at the breaker and call. Check the CPSC recall list too, since some models have had wiring recalls. If you also see water on the floor, read dishwasher leaking. For mold on the door seal, the EPA mold guide has cleanup tips.

Other common repairs we see in Mountain View

If another appliance is acting up too, these guides can help: oven not heating up all the way, fridge water and ice dispenser not working, and washing machine repair for washers that leak, stall or will not spin.

Frequently asked questions