A modern dishwasher can be a real time saver in a busy home, but if it isn’t cleaning the dishes properly, it can be frustrating. Attempting to clean the dishes multiple times and loading and reloading are time consuming tasks. To make matters worse, this is a significant waste of water and dishwasher detergent too. There are several reasons why your dishwasher is not performing as intended and we will explore them in greater detail.
Before you start to look at the possible causes of malfunctions, it is worth noting that the problem could be more mundane than you may realize. A dishwasher is a complex appliance, it has a spray arm, filters, a soap dispenser, heating elements and other components that must be working in harmony. But, if you’re overloading the dishwasher, using a poor-quality detergent or using the wrong settings, this can degrade performance. So, before you start troubleshooting, take a look at the owner’s manual for your appliance to ensure that you’re using it correctly.
After a brief glance at the following tips, you will quickly notice that many of them are related to cleanliness within the dishwasher. It should come as no surprise that it’s extremely difficult to get something clean using dirty equipment. This is equally true for washing machines and other cleaning appliances.
Adopting a proactive routine to regularly clean the dishwasher and other appliances is a smart move. This is also a great way to boost efficiency, reduce maintenance and extend the useful lifespan of your appliances. Let’s take a closer look at seven dishwasher troubleshooting tips in more detail:
Most dishwashers made prior to 2010 were equipped with a self-cleaning filter. This part was designed to grind food particles into smaller pieces that could be easily washed away in the wastewater. Most later models refined with principle with a removable filter that was designed to be cleaned regularly to prevent the buildup of dirty particulates.
This filter is usually located under the bottom rack on the “floor” of the dishwasher. You can get to it using a twist-off cap and the filter is easy to remove. The full instructions for filter removal and cleaning are covered in the owner’s manual for your dishwasher.
Cleaning typically involves removing surface dirt and running the filter under hot water. If the buildup of gunk is especially thick and stubborn, it’s advisable to soak the filter in hot soapy water. Then when the gunk is loose, it can be gently cleaned with a soft brush and rinsed as normal before it’s returned to the filter housing. There may be some dirty gunk on the inside of the filter housing cap and this can be cleaned away in the same manner. When the filter is clean the risk of dirty particles circulating in the hot water used for cleaning is reduced and the results should be much improved.
A dishwasher is a hard working appliance and many of us rely on it multiple times each day to get our dishes clean. Over time, there will be an accumulation of food debris, hard water minerals, soap scum and other contaminants that form on the inner surfaces. So, when you’re worried about the performance of your dishwasher one of the first things to consider is the cleanliness of these surfaces.
If this dirty buildup is relatively minor, it can usually be cleaned with a vinegar cleaning cycle. To do this, pour three cups of white vinegar into the bottom of the dishwasher and then run a full cycle on the highest heat setting.
For a more stubborn buildup of grease and/or grime, use a mix of baking soda and white vinegar. The baking soda can be used to gently scrub away the crud and the vinegar can be sprayed on the surface for thorough cleaning. You will notice that the baking soda will foam when it’s exposed to vinegar and this mild chemical reaction is key for maximum cleaning power. As an added bonus, baking soda is also an excellent deodorizer and it will make your dishwasher interior smell clean and fresh. When you’re satisfied, run the aforementioned vinegar dishwasher cycle to make the surfaces shine!
This is the rotating part that may be positioned above or below the dishwasher racks depending on the specific make and model of your machine. This component sprays heated water onto the dirty dishes through a series of holes or jets on the spray arms. Over time, these jets can become clogged. This reduces the available water pressure and the effectiveness of the system is degraded. So, if the spray arms are regularly cleaned they will improve the performance and your dishes should be cleaner.
Some dishwashers have spray arms that are designed to be removed for easier cleaning. Others may be secured in place with a screw that will need to be removed first. When you have easy access to the spray arm, it can be scrubbed with dish soap and a soft brush. It may be necessary to use a small tool such as a bristle stick or even a toothpick to dislodge stubborn particles that may be stuck in the jet holes. When the spray arm is thoroughly cleaned, rinse it in hot water, replace it and you’re ready for the next dishwasher load.
The majority of dishwasher cycles used a water temperature of 120ºF or higher. If the temperature falls below this range, there will be a loss of cleaning performance. Certain dishwasher models have a built in, heat-boosting system to ensure that the temperatures are stable. But, if you have a model that lacks this feature you will need to check that your water heater is set to 120ºF to run your dishwasher.
Please be careful, don’t set the hot water heater to a temperature higher than 120ºF to prevent scalding. Another useful tip is to run the hot kitchen faucet for a minute before you start the dishwasher cycle. This will ensure that there is some hot water in the appliance before it’s started.
If the soap dispenser is broken or clogged, this may mean that your dishwasher detergent doesn’t reach the dirty dishes. The detergent may be released at the wrong time during the wash cycle and this will degrade the cleaning power.
A common problem is the spring in the dispenser door which can become jammed. A small soft brush can be used to clear and clean the spring, door and soap dispenser. Use a mix of white vinegar and hot water to clean away the debris and dissolve any grease deposits. If the spring is broken it will need to be replaced with a new part.
To finish, check the dispenser gasket for signs of wear or cracking and replace it if it’s in poor shape. If the gasket is good, rub the surface with a little petroleum jelly to keep it supple and extend the gasket lifespan.
If there is no power supplied to the dishwasher and it won’t start, it’s time to look at the electrical connections. To start, check the breaker box to see if the dishwasher has tripped on the loop that supplies power to the appliance. You may be able to flip the breaker and restore power to the dishwasher or it may not flip back into place. In the former scenario you’re good to go, but there may be an underlying root cause to investigate. In the latter scenario, you will need to contact a professional to find the fault and fix it for you.
If the problem doesn’t lie in the breaker box, it may be something simpler such as a loose connection behind the dishwasher. The power cable may have worked free or it could be worn and unstable. Isolate any power to the dishwasher and replace any connections that are preventing the appliance from starting and operating as expected.
This is a key component that controls the flow of water into the dishwasher. If this part is leaking or it fails entirely, it can lead to water coming into the appliance continuously. The phenomenon is often accompanied by a hammering noise in the dishwasher as it’s running. The owner’s manual for your dishwasher will show you where the water inlet valve is located, the part number and how it can be replaced. This is not an easy fix for those that are not good with tools and DIY projects.
As you can see, many common dishwasher performance issues can be solved with regular cleaning. But, some problems are more complex to fix and attempting a DIY repair can make them much worse. If you’re having problems with your dishwasher, you can rely on the expertise of a home appliance repair technician to provide a solution.