When your dishwasher breaks down, it can become a big hassle, especially if you have a lot of dishes to wash. When this necessary appliance breaks down, it’s normal to become irate and want to find the solution as soon as possible.
Your dishwasher might not be working for a number of reasons. It could be a straightforward issue that you can resolve on your own, or it could be an indication of a more serious issue that requires expert care. Knowing the typical causes will enable you to troubleshoot and potentially fix the problem on your own, saving you from having to hire a repair service.
This post will examine the most typical causes of dishwasher malfunctions and provide helpful advice on how to fix your own. We will assist you in locating and successfully resolving any issues, whether they are related to the internal components, the water flow, or the power supply.
Problem | Possible Cause |
Dishwasher doesn"t start | Power supply issue or door not properly closed |
Water not filling | Clogged filter or faulty inlet valve |
Dishes aren"t clean | Spray arms blocked or detergent not dispensing |
Water not draining | Clogged drain or faulty pump |
Dishwasher is noisy | Loose parts or items touching spray arms |
- What broke down?
- Unable to start the wash
- Excess water inside
- Incorrect water temperature
- The machine is full of dirty water
- Shocked when touched
- Washes without detergent
- No power supply
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What broke down?
The common wear and tear of replacement parts is the root cause of malfunctions in equipment that has been in reliable operation for five years or longer. A dishwasher has a shelf life just like any other gadget, and aging models deteriorate more each year. It is preferable to give the repair to a professional in this instance. First though, it’s worth figuring out whether it will be more cost-effective to buy a new machine or repair the current one.
Dishwashers typically last for five years.
In the event that the machine was purchased recently but is still unresponsive, you must ascertain the cause. One of the following issues most likely arises.
- Manufacturing defect. This also includes poor assembly. It is quite possible that the machine did not function properly from the start, especially if the model is cheap and was manufactured by a little-known brand.
- Clogged filter. If the owners "sin" by loading too dirty dishes into the chamber, then you should expect consequences in the form of incomplete drainage. Food residues, washed off the plates, settle in the "trash can" and cause a block in the system.
- Electrical problems. Perhaps the entire house is de-energized, the outlet is faulty, or the power cord is broken.
- Incorrect installation. When newly installed models refuse to work, it can be assumed that the connection to utilities was not done according to the rules. For example, the inlet hose is often poorly fixed to the water supply, and the drain hose is so long that it interferes with a full drain.
- Poor quality detergent. Saving on tablets and gels often leads to poor operation of the dishwasher.
- Door not closed tightly. The mechanism is similar to washing machines: until the door lock is triggered and the seal is fixed, the system will not start the washing cycle. More often than not, the owner himself forgot to press the hatch to the body. But a factory defect is also possible, when, due to a manufacturer"s defect, the door sags and does not close completely.
- Incorrect loading of dishes. Having received dirty plates after a two-hour cycle, you can suspect a breakdown of the dishwasher. But first check whether the plates were loaded into the chamber correctly. Remember that according to the instructions, the upper shelves are intended for small utensils, cups, saucers, tureens, and large frying pans or pots are placed on the lower ones. We pay special attention to glasses and cups, which should always stand upside down.
However, it’s possible that the dishwasher has experienced a system failure, in which case the control board or motor will need to be professionally and more expensively replaced. As a result, we first identify the malfunction’s origin. Every malfunction has unique "symptoms" that make it simple to determine the severity of the issue.
Unable to start the wash
The most frequent scenario is when the dishwasher’s owner switches it on; the case walls heat up, the lights begin to blink, and you hear the sound of the water intake, but the cycle does not begin. In other words, the system is prepared to begin the wash, but there is a barrier preventing it. Anything could be this "something."
- Clogged filter. The garbage filter is located at the very bottom of the dishwasher working chamber. First of all, we check it: carefully unscrew it, take it out, clean it, rinse it and install it back.
- Clogged nozzles. Sprayers also easily get clogged, which is why the water does not start “working” and the machine does not start the program. The problem is solved quickly: take a thin toothpick and spot clean the holes on the nozzles. A clear "symptom" of this malfunction is unwashable pots, since low pressure does not allow for high-quality washing.
- Failure of the circulation pump. Another reason for water not entering the chamber is a broken pump. Here, it will be more difficult to repair it yourself, since it is necessary to replace the spare part with a new one. To do this, find the part in the lower part of the housing, unscrew all the tubes and clamps, dismantle the faulty pump and install a working one.
The circulation pump is broken if, following the ingestion of water, there is no noise indicative of the start of the cycle.
An additional barrier to interrupting the cycle at the start is harm to the electric motor or its winding. You will need to use a multimeter to "ring out" the engine in order to verify or deny the assumption. You will need to replace the engine or get in touch with a qualified technician if there is an interturn short circuit or a break in the circuit.
Excess water inside
The presence of too much water in the chamber is a common cause of the machine not working. The image shows that the dishwasher does not stop even though the auto-set has already finished and the cycle has not yet begun. The level sensor is probably broken.
The level sensor keeps an eye on the water supply, and it needs to be replaced if there are issues with overflow or underflow. After turning the machine over on the floor, locate the device in the lower portion of the case to accomplish this. After that, remove the malfunctioning device and replace it with a functional one.
Even when the machine is unplugged from the power source, the issue frequently persists because the device still needs water to "feed" itself. The electromagnetic valve, which is in charge of prompt stopping, is then "at fault." The device is situated where the inlet and the inlet hose converge. To replace, simply unplug the device from the communications network, take out the damaged component, and put in a new one.
Incorrect water temperature
Problems with the water’s heating element are another malfunction that keeps the dishwasher from functioning properly. Two things could go wrong: either the heating element works too hard or it heats up too little. In the latter instance, a malfunctioning temperature sensor is to blame. In the event that the heating is not enough, you should:
- thermostat;
- water pressure in the system;
- the integrity of the heating element.
It is simple to perform diagnostics without the assistance of experts. One by one, the potential causes must be investigated before using a multimeter to "ring" the heating element.
The machine is full of dirty water
Another glaring sign of a problem is the dishwasher’s large volume of dirty water. It is evident from the situation that the waste liquid does not exit the chamber but instead stays inside because the drain is not operating properly. The issue is resolved quite easily.
- We carry out diagnostics of the drain pump. First, we clean it from debris and measure the number of ohms in the winding. Often the drain is blocked by low pressure.
- If the pump has not failed, we pay attention to the drain hose and siphon. The resulting blockage prevents the waste water from exiting. Therefore, we disconnect the components and thoroughly rinse under the tap.
Sometimes there’s no need for repairs at all. The dishwasher cannot empty the water when the hose is raised above the level advised by the manufacturer because there is insufficient pressure. Pinched pipes or flimsy fasteners can break occasionally.
Shocked when touched
If the dishwasher is obviously shocking—that is, if it gives you a real shock or tingling when touched—then the plan of action is altered. Disconnect the machine from the power source right away; there’s no need to hesitate. Since a broken heater causes a short circuit in 100% of cases, we address the heating element next. There are various causes:
- too hard water;
- broken heater start relay;
- factory defect.
It is dangerous and strictly forbidden to use a dishwasher that shocks people.
We remove the heating element and inspect it as soon as the unit is unplugged from the network. The element will need to be replaced if it has surface flaws such as chips, cracks, or other problems. It is highly advised not to put off repairs; immediate replacement and diagnostics are needed.
Washes without detergent
A highly trivial cause for concern is partially dissolved detergent. Since the water does not get to the container where the powder is poured, this is a result of clogged nozzles or low pressure in the hoses. The sprinklers need to be taken out and cleaned in order to solve the issue.
The nozzles should be immersed in a regular soap solution for 30 to 40 minutes in order to completely clean them.
An inoperable dispenser mechanism is another factor contributing to the issue. The tablet does not have enough time to dissolve completely because the valve does not begin absorbing water in a timely manner. As a result, the gadget needs to be changed or replaced.
It can be annoying if your dishwasher breaks down without warning, but the cause is usually something straightforward, such as a broken door latch, a clogged filter, or a power outage. Gaining an understanding of these typical causes will enable you to locate the issue fast and resolve it, saving you time and reducing stress.
No power supply
Users frequently discover that nothing happens when they press the "Start" button. In other words, it is not feasible to operate the machinery that is already loaded with dishes. This occurs for a number of reasons:
- the electrical outlet does not work;
- the door locks do not work;
- the door is not closed tightly;
- the network key "fell out";
- the network filter is broken.
Using a multimeter in a sequential manner will aid in identifying the primary cause. Removing functional links from the chain makes it simple to identify the malfunction’s origin. Another concern is if the machine fails to finish the cycle or react when the washing mode is changed. Next, you ought to examine the gear selector and control board. The final components should not be experimented with; it is safer to call experts right away.
It can be annoying when your dishwasher breaks down, but keep in mind that most problems can be fixed with a little troubleshooting. The first step in getting your dishwasher back up and running is determining the cause, whether it’s a power outage, a clogged filter, or a broken part.
Numerous common problems can be avoided with routine maintenance, such as filter cleaning and connection inspections. Do not hesitate to refer to the handbook or seek professional assistance if you are unable to resolve the issue on your own.
Maintaining the condition of your dishwasher guarantees that it will keep saving you time and effort, making dishwashing a hassle-free part of your daily routine.