The kitchen sink is going to be used all day long. You will use it to wash dishes, rinse items, and just prepare meals. It is something that plays a major part in your daily routine. Unfortunately, there are times when a kitchen sink won’t drain but it’s not clogged.
The reason a kitchen sink won’t drain but it’s not clogged has to do with excess debris, broken piping, and/or a malfunctioning drainage system.
This can happen when the plumbing has started to show signs of aging and/or you were trying to drain something that isn’t supposed to be put in the sink.
Key factors include:
- What’s Being Drained
- Condition of the Plumbing
- Aging
If the kitchen sink won’t drain but it’s not clogged, the main reason likely has to do with a broken pipe. This might cause the plumbing to misbehave and/or do things that you wouldn’t expect it to do.
A lot of people assume it is a clogged drain but that’s not always true.
Instead, there are situations where a kitchen sink won’t drain but it’s not clogged. The reason could be something as simple as trying to drain excess debris and/or the pipe has burst inside.
You will want to have this situation looked into as soon as you can. Here are some of the main factors to consider if a kitchen sink won’t drain but it’s not clogged.
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Reasons a Kitchen Sink Won’t Drain But It’s Not Clogged
1. Broken or Burst Pipe
The main cause is often a broken pipe.
You can start looking for a hissing noise as that might be a sign a pipe has burst. You may also notice water seeping into parts of the kitchen and/or surrounding areas due to the burst pipe.
This is something that can cause excessive water damage and it’s important to act fast. If you believe a kitchen sink won’t drain but it’s not clogged then it is important to start here. This will ensure you do check for a broken pipe that is not allowing the kitchen sink to drain.
If this is the case, you will want to call a plumber to repair the pipe and/or replace it.

2. Excess Debris
This is something that will be noticeable as soon as you turn on the water.
Is there debris that is sitting inside the kitchen sink? Are you trying to wash it down the drain? If that is the case, it is possible the kitchen sink is not going to drain even if it is not clogged.
The reason has to do with there being a limit to how much you can push down the drain before it simply doesn’t allow for more to go through.
Remember, this is not a clogged drain.
It is just a limit that will be set due to how the drain is shaped and/or how large it is. You will have to make sure to take out this debris rather than trying to force it down the sink.
Otherwise, you are indeed going to have a clogged drain on your hands.

3. Malfunctioning Drain
When figuring out why a kitchen sink won’t drain but it’s not clogged, the issue can also involve a malfunctioning drain.
This is when the drain doesn’t push the water to where it needs to go. Instead, it might misdirect the water and/or have it sit inside at an angle.
This tends to happen when something caused the pipe to shift.
You will want to have this issue fixed because it will eventually cause the pipe to burst and/or clog up.
It is often a warning sign that something is off.
Related Questions
1. Why Can’t I Unclog My Sink?
The reason you can’t unclog your sink has to do with how deep the clog is, how substantial it is, and/or the pipe has burst causing water to leak everywhere.
2. Why Is My Kitchen Sink Filling Up With Water?
A kitchen sink might start filling up with water when the drain is clogged. This can cause the water to back up and eventually sit in the sink until the clog is removed.
Final Thoughts
These are the main reasons why a kitchen sink won’t drain but it’s not clogged.
You will want to speak to a plumber because most issues such as these can entail burst pipes and/or malfunctioning drainage systems.
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