Troubleshooting Problems with Your Dishwasher Can Save Money

By: Deshawn Agtarap


If you know what to look for in everyday common problems with dishwashers, you may be able to correct a problem easily on your own. If you can fix this with little or no parts and labor, then you have saved yourself the time and money of a service call. Some problems are relatively minor and have simple corrections to fix them. Others may be more complicated and really do need a service technician. Knowing when to call a professional versus when to fix it yourself is a valuable knowledge.

Common dishwasher problems and their possible causes are listed below.

1. LeaksIf the door is leaking you may need to replace the door gasket or adjust the door latch. Other sources of leaks may be the water supply line. Check this for damage and tight connection. You also need to make sure the dishwasher is level. The most hidden cause could be a faulty float switch. If none of the first checks reveal a source of the leak, you may need a service technician to test the float switch.

2.NoiseIf the dishwasher is running noisy, there could be a couple of things to check. The easiest is checking the drain hose and water supply line to make sure they are not bumping up against the dishwasher during the cycles. Other noises may be coming from the belt if it is belt driven, the pump if it is clogged, or the motor if it is starting to fail.

3. Incorrect fillingIf the dishwasher is not filling up or is filling up slowly, you make have a clogged filter. Clean the filter of any debris and re-test to see if fills correctly. If this did not fix the problem, the inlet valve may have a defective selenoid, which will require a professional service technician.

4. Improper drainingIf the dishwasher water is not draining completely, there are several spots to test. First check the drain hose for damage or kinks. If needed, straighten it out or replace it. You may also check the drain screen to make sure it is not clogged with food particles and other debris. If you have installed a new disposal, check to make sure the knock out plug was removed. You may also need to double check the air gap or location of the drain hose into the drainpipe. If the air gap is not installed properly or the drain hose is connected too low on the drainpipe, it can lead to wastewater siphoning back into the dishwasher.

5. Will Not StartIf the dishwasher will not start at all, begin by making sure the door is shut all the way. Next, make sure the power cord is connected. The circuit breaker may need reset or the fuse replaced. If these simple solutions do not fix the problem, it could be more complicated. It may be the door switch or timer or even the motor seizing. In this case it may be warranted to call a professional service technician.6. Does Not Clean WellThere are several simple reasons that the dishwasher may not be cleaning properly. First, make sure that you have loaded larger dishes to the outside edges so that water can reach every dish. Make sure you have used enough detergent in both soap cups. Check if the water is getting up to at least 120 degrees. If none of these are the problem, you may need to clean the spray arm by removing clogs in the spray holes. Also clean the pump screen. Last, test the water inlet valve to make sure water is coming in properly.

7. Dishes are Not DryIf the dishes are still wet, make sure it has complete the dry cycle. Also make sure the dry cycle was selected. If these were not the problem, you may need to check that the heating element is working properly.

8. Door Drops HeavilyWhen you open the door of the dishwasher, it should go down easily, If it drops heavily, the door springs are malfunctioning. These will probably have to be replaced.

9. Door Will Not CloseThe easiest solution is removing anything that may be blocking the door. If there are no blockages, check the door springs to make sure they are not sprung. You also need to check the door gasket and door latch.

10. Does Not Complete a CycleIf the dishwasher did not finish its cycle, first make sure that no one opened it and did not restart it. If that is not the case, it may be a faulty timer.

11. Soap Cup Will Not OpenMany times the soap cup will have a soap residue build up inside it and along the edges. This build up may be blocking the hinges that let the cup shut. Simply clean off all build up to ensure that it can open and shut easily. If that does not solve the problem, the timer may be faulty.

12. Rust StainsIf the nylon coating has been scratched off, it will leave exposed metal that will cause rust stains. To fix this, repair the exposed metal or replace the rack altogether. Then clean the rust stains with oxalic acid.

Making sure that simple mistakes are not the cause of a problem could save you a great deal of money. Imagine calling a repair serviceman only to find that your teenaged daughter opened the dishwasher to grab a glass before the cycle was through and forgot to restart it. There really was no problem, but you are still out of the service call charge. If you try the simple solutions first and they do not resolve the issue, it will then be time to call a technician. You should also call a professional any time that you do not fill skilled enough to do the repair yourself.


Deshawn has been a salesperson for automotive industry for more than 10 years and enjoys helping customers select the right atv according to their preferences. Come to www.atv-now.com to get free advice on different types of atv.