Dishwasher Smells Like Rotten Eggs? How to Find the Source

Quick answer: A rotten egg smell in a dishwasher usually means food rotting in the filter and sump, dirty water sitting in the tub, or drain water backing up from the sink or garbage disposal. Turn off the power, clean the filter and sump, clean the disposal, and check that the drain hose has a high loop or air gap. If your hot tap water smells like eggs too, look at the water heater or water supply instead.

When your dishwasher smells like rotten eggs, the odor has a specific source, and you can usually track it down. This sulfur stink is different from the musty odor in our guide on why a dishwasher smells like wet dog. An egg smell more often points to the drain side: rotting food in the sump, water flowing back from the sink or disposal, or something in your water. GE Appliances notes that dishwashers don’t normally hold on to odors, so a lasting smell means something needs attention.

First, rule out a gas leak

Natural gas has no smell of its own. Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority explains that gas companies add an odorant, mercaptan, to give it a “rotten egg” smell. If the odor fills the kitchen or is strongest near a gas appliance rather than inside the tub, stop. If it’s strong or you’re unsure, leave and call your gas company or 911 from outside. Don’t flip switches, adjust appliance controls, or do anything that could make a spark.

How to find the source

Sniff inside the tub. Strongest at the bottom? Think filter, sump, or standing water.
Look at the tub floor. Samsung says a little leftover water is normal, but a large amount means the dishwasher isn’t draining.
Sniff the sink drain. Samsung notes the odor may actually come from the connected sink or garbage disposal.
Check under the sink. Does the drain hose arch up high under the counter or connect to an air gap (a small cap by the faucet)? Or does it sag?
Test hot and cold water. The Minnesota Department of Health suggests smelling the hot and cold faucets separately after you’ve been away for a few hours. If only the hot water smells, suspect the water heater.

Why your dishwasher smells like rotten eggs: where the smell comes from

Where the smell comes from	How to tell	Fix
Food buildup in the filter and sump	Strongest at the tub bottom; debris on the filter	Clean the filter, pump inlet, and spray arms (Fix 1)
Standing dirty water	More than a little water left after a cycle	Clean the filter, check the hose for kinks (Fix 2)
Drain hose with no high loop or air gap	Hose runs flat or dips; dirty water appears between uses	Add a high loop or have the installer fix it (Fix 2)
Knockout plug left in a new disposal	New disposal, and the dishwasher won’t drain	Have the plug removed (Fix 2)
Garbage disposal or sink drain	The sink drain smells too	Clean the disposal (Fix 3)
Clogged air gap	Slow draining or water coming out of the air gap	Clear it per the maker’s instructions (Fix 4)
Water heater or well water	Tap water smells like eggs, sometimes only hot	Call a plumber or test your water (Fix 6)

What you need

Rubber gloves and a flashlight
Your owner’s manual
Dish soap, a sponge, a soft brush, and a toothpick
Towels and a bucket
A scouring pad and baking soda (for the disposal only; don’t use a scouring pad on dishwasher filters)
Detergent, white vinegar, or a dishwasher cleaner (only one per cycle)

Fixes, easiest first

Fix 1: Clean the filter and sump

Turn off the dishwasher at the breaker or unplug it before reaching into the tub. Remove the bottom rack and the filter as your manual shows. GE Appliances says to rinse its filters with warm soapy water and a sponge, warns that scouring pads or brushes can damage them, and recommends cleaning them every other month or more often, depending on use. Bosch suggests a soft brush for its filters, so follow your manual.

Samsung recommends cleaning the drain area and filter housing with warm, soapy water. GE says to check the pump inlet screen for paper, plastic, or other debris. Clear clogged spray arm holes with a toothpick, as Bosch and Samsung suggest.

Fix 2: Clear standing water and check the drain hose

If dirty water keeps collecting, check the hose after the filter. Whirlpool says to look for a kinked, pinched, or clogged hose. GE Appliances says dirty water building up between uses may be an installation problem with the drain hose, which must have a high loop or connect to an air gap.

Whirlpool describes a high loop as the hose arching up and secured near the top of the cabinet or under the countertop before it reaches the disposal or drain. If yours runs flat or slopes down, pull the extra hose up and secure it with a bracket or zip tie. This keeps dirty sink water from siphoning back.

New garbage disposal? Whirlpool says the knockout plug in the disposal’s dishwasher inlet must be removed. Whirlpool’s check: with the power off, disconnect the hose (catch water in a bucket) and slide a pencil into the inlet. If it goes in about 3 inches, the plug is out. Not comfortable doing this? Call the installer or a plumber.

Fix 3: Clean the garbage disposal and sink drain

InSinkErator says disposal odor usually means food buildup from too little water flow. Turn off the disposal and disconnect its power, then scrub the underside of the baffle and the upper lip of the grind chamber with a scouring pad. Fill the sink halfway with warm water, mix in 1/4 cup of baking soda, then restore power and turn on the disposal as you pull the stopper. Never put your hand into the disposal.

Fix 4: Clear the air gap

An air gap (the small cap near the faucet) can clog and slow draining. Whirlpool says to follow the air gap maker’s instructions for removing the cap and clearing blockages.

Fix 5: Run an empty cleaning cycle

GE Appliances suggests running it empty with a full cup of detergent. Samsung offers another option: once the empty cycle drains, pause it and set 8 ounces of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe glass on the bottom rack. Samsung says not to use detergent and vinegar together. It also suggests a water heater setting of 120 to 149 degrees Fahrenheit, since hot water cleans better. Keep in mind that hotter water also raises the risk of scalds at the tap.

Fix 6: If the water itself smells, check the water heater or well

The Minnesota Department of Health says hydrogen sulfide, the rotten egg gas, can occur naturally in groundwater or form from sulfur bacteria or reactions inside water heaters. Virginia Tech’s extension program says a smell in hot but not cold water points to the water heater, either bacteria inside it or a reaction with its magnesium anode rod. It suggests asking a plumber to check the rod and checking with the heater maker about the warranty before making changes. Minnesota advises leaving water heater work to a plumber or water system pro unless you know the equipment well. For wells, Minnesota says the smell usually isn’t related to sanitary quality but rarely can come from sewage, so test for coliform bacteria and nitrate.

Safety: Turn off power at the breaker or unplug the dishwasher before reaching into the sump, and wear gloves. Disconnect the disposal’s power before cleaning it. Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia, or other cleaners. Poison Control warns that bleach plus an acid like vinegar makes chlorine gas, and bleach plus ammonia makes chloramine gas. Check your manual before using bleach: Samsung says not to use it in stainless steel interiors because it may damage or discolor them. If you breathe fumes, get fresh air and call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

If it still smells: when to call a pro

The smell survives a full cleaning. GE Appliances says odors that last are abnormal and may need repair service.
The sink drain still smells after cleaning. Samsung says you may need a plumber, and to fix that before cleaning the dishwasher again.
It won’t drain or shows error codes. Samsung says these may need service.
Your tap water smells like eggs. Call a plumber or water treatment pro.
You smell gas. Leave and call your gas company or 911.

How to prevent it

Scrape food into the trash before loading.
Clean the filter on your manual’s schedule.
Don’t let dirty dishes sit. Samsung suggests a rinse cycle between full loads.
Leave the door slightly open after cycles, as Samsung recommends.
Run the disposal with cold water, keep the water running a few seconds after grinding, and never pour grease down it, per InSinkErator.

If the sink smells as bad as the dishwasher, see our guide to a garbage disposal that smells like sewage.

Another kitchen appliance giving off an odd smell? Our guide explains what to do when an air fryer smells like plastic.

FAQ

Is a rotten egg smell from my dishwasher dangerous?

Usually it’s rotting food or drain water. Rule out gas first. Virginia Tech says low levels of hydrogen sulfide in household water aren’t a health hazard, but the Minnesota Department of Health notes the gas can be harmful in air at high levels. For a strong sewer smell, air out the room and call a plumber.

Can I use vinegar to get rid of the smell?

Samsung lists 8 ounces of white vinegar in a glass during an empty cycle, without detergent. Never combine it with bleach. Vinegar won’t fix a clogged filter or drain, so clean those first.

Why do my clean dishes smell like eggs?

Dishes can pick up odors from dirty water left in the tub or from sulfur in the water itself. Virginia Tech notes hydrogen sulfide can also darken silverware. Clean the filter, check drainage, and test your tap water.

Sources

Last reviewed: October 11, 2026. Always follow your product’s care label and manufacturer instructions.