My Dishwasher Is Not Working (Again)

My Dishwasher Is Not Working (Again) – What’s Wrong?

Even a small dishwasher problem is a small crisis in the kitchen. This is something most – if not all, people cannot avoid given that not all dishwashers are the same, in terms of quality. Then, who really does call a tech for dishwasher maintenance – at least, once in a while? And don’t forget that there are other factors, which affect the way the home appliance runs. Factors, like the water hardness in the area, the quality of the detergents, if there’s still food residue when the kitchen appliance is loaded, the way the dishwasher installation is done.

Right now, we focus on certain common problems with dishwashers, just to give you an idea of what might have caused trouble. You will still need a licensed dishwasher technician to fix the appliance but at least you will know that you won’t need to rush out and buy a new unit.

So, what seems to be the problem with your dishwasher now?

My dishwasher won’t start

Sometimes, the solution to this problem is as easy as plugging in the appliance. Or, check if the start button has been pressed twice. Or, ensuring the appliance is not locked. Obviously, these are easy-to-fix problems and you can figure them out yourself.

But often, dishwashers don’t start when there’s a problem with the latch or the electronic control. All these buttons and settings on the control panel may be user-friendly but there’s a tiny computer behind all that which if it goes haywire, it will keep the dishwasher from starting. And don’t forget that there’s a large number of internal components too. If one of them is broken or damaged, the appliance won’t work. This is the time to call an appliance technician.

My dishwasher is not cleaning well

When items (glassware, pots, utensils, dishes) don’t come out clean after a full cycle, check if any of them block the spray arms. You can also check the door gasket and the strain screen. Your goal is to see if there’s debris collected in various parts of the appliance – often a result from not removing food particles when loading the dishwasher. This problem also happens when the detergent is not good – or too old, and when there’s low water pressure. Check your area’s water hardness too and, if needed, use a softener. As you can see, you can fix this problem yourself.

My dishwasher won’t drain

Dishwashers usually fail to drain when the drain hose is damaged or the drains are blocked. One thing you can do is to check the garbage disposal (maybe, run it) to see if the whole kitchen drainage system is blocked by food particles. If this is not the problem, you need a pro to determine if the failure stems from the drain, the hose, or the pump.

My dishwasher is leaking

Dishwashers leak when they don’t drain. So, one way to solve this problem is to see why the dishwasher is not draining. Another common culprit is the door gasket. If it’s broken or somehow worn, it won’t seal and must be replaced. One more reason for leaky dishwashers is the pipes behind the appliance. Make sure they are fine and properly connected.

My dishwasher won’t fill

If the dishwasher is not filling, it means that water is, somehow, blocked. Check the valve under the sink. You will also need a technician to check the appliance’s valves to see if they are clogged with debris and must be cleaned, or replaced. This is one more serious problem – one that affect the appliance’s motor. Call in an appliance service technician as soon as you can.