Why isn't my dishwasher draining properly, and how do I fix it?

A clogged drain is the most likely cause — if you have an air gap, clean it by removing the chrome cover, unscrewing the plastic cap, and cleaning with a toothpick. You should also check whether your kitchen sink is draining well, and if the dishwasher drains into a garbage disposer, run the disposer clear. (Pages 10, 12)