4 Common Dishwasher Problems and How to Fix Them
If you have a big family, having a dishwasher is a great help. With it, all the food grease and residues don’t stand a chance!
But as it happens to a lot of homeowners, sometimes your dishwasher may exhibit problems or suddenly break down altogether.
When this happens, you then have two choices: call a repairman, which can be expensive, or fix the problem yourself.
In the second case, we can help you here with our list of common dishwasher issues and how to fix them.
1) The dishwasher soap won’t go in
It’s one of the most common problems with a dishwasher. If the dishwasher soap doesn’t dispense into the machine, three things could be the cause:
- Water isn’t flowing to the soap receptacle.
- The soap receptacle isn’t opening correctly.
- Your dishes are blocking the dispenser.
The reason for the first case may be that the soap isn’t coming through the dispenser. Perhaps you’re using too much soap or the pod detergent hasn’t dissolved to be released onto the dishes.
To solve this, use a smaller amount of detergent or use liquid soap.
As for the second, check that the compartment is closed or positioned properly before the wash cycle begins.
And for the third one, try moving your dishes out of the opening from which the detergent comes out. That should do the trick.
2) The dishwasher won’t start
What can be a more annoying problem than your dishwater failing to start? Don’t worry, as fixing it can be a no-brainer.
First, inspect that the appliance is correctly plugged in. Also, ensure that the dishwasher door is closed well before starting the wash.
If that doesn’t fix the issue, check whether the outlet didn’t suffer a short circuit or a blown fuse. Otherwise, get an electrician to fix it.
However, if the dishwasher is working albeit not running properly, its motor may probably be stuck. Because this involves working out its components, we advise leaving this to a pro as well to be safe.
3) The dishwasher won’t drain correctly
It’s very easy to know if your dishwasher isn’t draining correctly because water will flood out to your floor.
If the water’s not wiped down thoroughly from the floor, this will create a slip hazard, which will be unsafe for the household, especially for the kids and the elderly.
Now, your dishwasher may not have drained fully due to a power cut. This stops the dish cleaning cycle from being completed, so try running it again.
Next, examine your garbage disposal system. The reason is it uses the same drain as the dishwasher.
If there is any blockage like an object or food remains in their common drain, that can be the culprit. Also, ensure that its drain plug is removed to allow the dishwasher to empty its contents properly.
4) The dishwasher is noisy
If you hear your dishwasher making unusual, annoying noises, its internal parts may be the problem.
Broken seals and bearing rings can cause it to make rattling sounds. Also, a faulty or bent wash arm tends to create strange noises.
But the worst-case scenario is if the appliance’s motor or pump is damaged, and if you suspect this, you should get a dishwasher specialist to diagnose and repair it for you promptly.