How to Remove a Built-In Dishwasher, Step by Step

Published October 31, 2026 · Home Appliance Removal editorial team

Removing a built-in dishwasher takes about an hour and a few basic tools. The job is mostly about disconnecting power, water and the drain in the right order so nothing leaks and nothing is left live under the counter.

Tools you will need

Phillips and flat screwdrivers, and a nut driver or small socket set
Adjustable wrench
Shallow tray or baking sheet and old towels
Flashlight
Non-contact voltage tester

Step by step

Turn off the power. Switch off the dishwasher’s breaker. If the dishwasher plugs into an outlet under the sink, unplug it as well. Confirm the power is off with a voltage tester.
Turn off the water. The supply valve is usually under the sink, on the hot-water line, sometimes on a dual-outlet valve shared with the faucet.
Remove the kick plate. The toe panel at the bottom front is held by two or more screws. Behind it you will find the junction box, the water inlet and the leveling feet.
Disconnect the water line. Place the tray under the inlet valve fitting and loosen the compression nut. A cup or so of water will run out.
Disconnect the electrical connection. Open the junction box cover, unscrew the wire nuts and separate the wires. Cap the house wires individually with wire nuts and wrap them with tape. If you are not replacing the dishwasher immediately, have an electrician terminate the circuit properly.
Disconnect the drain hose. Under the sink, loosen the clamp at the garbage disposal or sink tailpiece and pull the hose off. Expect some dirty water.
Release the mounting brackets. Open the door and remove the screws holding the brackets to the underside of the countertop or the side cabinets.
Lower the leveling feet a few turns so the dishwasher clears the countertop.
Slide it out slowly, feeding the drain hose back through the cabinet hole so it does not snag. Protect the floor with cardboard.

Tip: if a new dishwasher is going in, take a photo of the old connections before you undo them. It makes the installation much faster.

Where the old dishwasher can go

Dishwashers contain no refrigerant, so they are accepted by most scrap yards, recycling centers and municipal bulky waste collections. Retailers usually remove the old unit when they install a new one, and a junk removal crew will take it for a per-item fee. A working dishwasher less than about seven years old can be sold or donated.

Before you pull it out

Dishwashers are often replaced because they stop draining, leave dishes dirty or leak from the door. Many of these faults come down to a clogged filter, a blocked drain hose or a worn door gasket — see our guide to a dishwasher that will not drain before deciding the machine is finished.