Dishwasher not cleaning dishes? 7 fixes that work
By the technicians at Maximum Appliance Repair. Updated
When a dishwasher stops cleaning, the cause is usually a clogged filter, blocked spray arms or the way it's loaded, not a broken machine. Try these before you book.
Safety first: unplug the appliance or switch off its breaker before you open panels, and shut off gas or water if you'll be near those lines.
1. Clean the filter
Twist out the filter in the bottom of the tub and rinse it under hot water with a soft brush. A greasy filter sends dirty water back onto your dishes. Most manufacturers recommend cleaning it monthly.
2. Clear the spray arms
Pull the lower and upper spray arms (most unclip or unscrew) and check the holes. Clear seeds, glass or scale with a toothpick and rinse them out. Make sure each arm spins freely when you put it back.
3. Run the hot water first
Run the kitchen tap until the water is hot before starting the dishwasher, so the first fill isn't cold. Your water heater should be set to about 120°F.
4. Load it so water can reach
Face dirty surfaces toward the center and down. Don't let tall items or pans block the spray arms or the detergent door.
5. Use fresh detergent and rinse aid
Detergent loses strength when it's old or stored damp. Many manufacturers recommend pods or powder over gel. Keep the rinse aid filled for drying and to prevent spots.
6. Fight hard-water film
Cloudy glasses and white film are usually mineral deposits. Run an empty cycle with a dishwasher cleaner or a citric acid cleaner. Hard water is common across much of Florida, so this may become routine.
7. Check that it fills
Open the door partway through the first fill (stop the cycle first if your model requires it). The water should cover the bottom of the tub around the filter. Little or no water points to the inlet valve or a float problem.
Standing water in the bottom is a different problem. See dishwasher not draining.
When to call a technician
Call us if the dishwasher doesn't fill, if it hums but the spray arms don't spin, if it doesn't heat, or if it leaks. A wash motor, inlet valve, heater or control may need replacing.