top of page
Writer's pictureJames Berg

How to fix a dishwasher



Your dishwasher is one of the hardest working appliances in your kitchen so when its malfunctioning, you'll notice very quickly. Typically, your dishwasher should last you 7 to 12 years. Does that mean that you won't have issues before that? False. But thats what professionals like us are here for.


Why are my dishes still coming our dirty?

First check that you put in some detergent... that's just a joke, we know you tried that already. Some user errors that could be happening: are you overloading the dishwasher? Is there a utensil that's preventing the spinning of the spray arm? Do some of the plates that you are loading into the dishwasher still have food in them? These are all things we can check before calling out a repair company.


We want to check for any grease, debris or blockages in the door gasket or stain screen. Your spray arms may also be stuck, try giving the bottom and the top arms a spin... they should spin easily. If they don't spin or are covered in debris or food, you may need to clean them. You can pop them off and clean them with a pipe cleaner and toothbrush. After this is done, try running a cycle.


If this doesn't solve your problem, contact a professional.


Why is my dishwasher leaking?

The first thing you should do is check your door and door gasket. Look for any damage that would prevent the door from sealing completely. You can try cleaning the gasket but if you see any large cracks, the gasket needs replacing.


Another culprit could be the float switch - the mechanism that indicates your dishwashers water level. If the float switch is stuck in the down position, it can cause your dishwasher to overfill and leak on to the floor. If your float switch is stuck, clean it and remove anything that might be preventing it from working properly.


Why is my dishwasher not drying my dishes?

This is usually an issue with the dishwashers heating element. If your heating element is working, check the high limit thermostat. A high limit thermostat thats malfunctioning can cause the heat to shut off before your dishes are completely dry. Where is the high limit thermostat? Usually at the bottom of the dishwasher tub, directly behind the access panel. Use a multimeter to check the device. The last thing to check will be the rinse aid dispenser. Making sure it is empty and dispensing properly. Without rinse aid, your dishes will not fully dry.


Why does my dishwasher smell bad?

Old and wet food is likely causing the bad smell. Look through your machine for any food and clean the dishwasher screen.


If what you are smelling smells like chemicals or plastic, most likely a Tupperware container or something else made out of plastic melted on the heating element.


A good rule of thumb, load your dishwasher carefully and scrape your dishes to avoid unwanted smells.


Why doesn't my dishwasher start?

This could be caused by a blown fuse, outlet malfunctioning, door not latching closed, or something electronically wrong with the dishwasher.


If it sounds like the dishwasher is trying to work but doesn't run correctly, your motor might be stuck. If so, try spinning the fan motor by hand to see if that gets it moving but MAKE SURE that you turn off the power from the main panel before doing so. This may be best left to the professionals to avoid electrocuting yourself.


Why is my dishwasher not draining?

This problem will be an obvious one to notice because your kitchen floors will flood with water when you try to open the dishwasher. First, try running your dishwasher for a second cycle. If the dishwasher was unexpectedly turned off (by a brief power outage or human error) there could still be water inside because the cycle wasn't completed.


You should also try running your garbage disposal since the two use the same drain. If it is a problem with your garbage disposal, like built up food, this can prevent your dishwasher from draining properly. If you installed a new garage disposal, the drain plug may still be in place. Make sure the drain plug is removed and the dishwasher drain hose is properly connected.


If this doesn't solve your problem, it may be time to call a professional.


Why is my dishwasher making a lot of noise?

If your dishwasher is making weird noises, you may have some issues with internal parts. For example, a bent wash arm can starting making strange sounds. You could also be having issues with seals and bearing rings, they may need replacing. If the issue isn't obvious and apparent, you may want to call a professional to look at your dishwashers pump and motor to troubleshoot.


12 views0 comments

Comments


Commenting has been turned off.
bottom of page