Dishwasher Not Cleaning Properly? Here’s What to Do

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Paradise Appliance
June 6, 2022
Dishwasher Repair

If your dishwasher isn’t cleaning your dishes properly, there is either something wrong with one of the components within the dishwasher, or it may just be dirty and need a good clean.

To find the cause of the problem, start with step one in this guide and work your way through the steps until you find the culprit and have fixed it. 

Step 1 – Inspect the detergent drawer

Start by checking the detergent drawer. If the drawer is faulty and does not open during a wash cycle, your dishes won’t be able to clean properly. 

Here’s what to do:

  1. Switch your dishwasher on to a wash cycle
  2. Wait for 15 minutes, press pause, and open the dishwasher door
  3. Check if the drawer has opened to release the powder into the dishwasher. If the drawer has opened, move on to step 2.
  4. If the drawer hasn’t opened, give it a good clean and then test it again to see if cleaning it has solved the problem
  5. If after cleaning the drawer it still doesn’t open, you will need to replace the spring in the drawer unit or replace the entire unit

Step 2 – Clean the dishwasher

If the drawer is opening correctly, the next step is to give your dishwasher a thorough clean. This involves taking the spray arms out, removing the bottom cover (if you have one), cleaning the filter, and turning your dishwasher on to a wash cycle. 

Here’s what to do:

  1. Start by removing all of the spray arms. Once removed, check them for any cracks or other damage. If damaged, they will need to be replaced. If they are fine, give them a good clean in hot soapy water before putting them back into the dishwasher.
  2. Next, remove the bottom cover panel and filter and give them a good clean before putting them back into the dishwasher
  3. Wipe the dishwasher out with a damp cloth – including the door gaskets
  4. Next, fill up the detergent drawer with powder and pour some extra powder onto the floor of the dishwasher
  5. Next, place your dishwasher on to a wash cycle (while it’s empty)
  6. If the spray arm housing is fine, turn your dishwasher on to a cycle. Make sure you set it to the highest possible water heat setting.
  7. When the wash cycle has ended, fill your dishwasher up with dirty dishes and turn it on to a cycle. When completed, check if your dishwasher is now working properly. If not, move on to step 3.

Step 3 – Inspect the water inlet valve

The next step is to inspect the water inlet valve to make sure it can open and close correctly. If it becomes faulty, your dishwasher may not be supplied with enough water and your dishes won’t be able to be cleaned correctly.

To inspect the water inlet valve, follow these instructions:

  1. Turn the power off to your dishwasher
  2. Turn the water supply off to your dishwasher
  3. Pull the dishwasher out from the wall
  4. Locate the water inlet valve
  5. Once located, unscrew the valve and inspect it to see if anything is blocking it. If so, remove the blockage.
  6. If the valve isn’t blocked up, remove the valve so you can test it with a multimeter
  7. If the valve doesn’t have continuity, it will need to be replaced. If fine, re-attach the valve and proceed to step 4.
  8. Once a new water inlet valve has been installed, check if the dishwasher has started to work properly. If not, move on to step 4.

Step 4 – Test the circulation pump

The next step in our guide for how to fix a dishwasher that is not cleaning is to check the circulation pump. The purpose of the pump is to help distribute water through the dishwasher via the spray arms. When the pump becomes faulty, your dishwasher won’t get enough water and your dishes will come out dirty.

Here’s how to test the circulation pump:

  1. Before inspecting the circulation pump, turn your dishwasher on and check if you can hear a humming sound coming from the dishwasher. If so, pause the dishwasher and check if it’s full of water. If it isn’t full of water this means the pump is probably faulty. If you don’t hear a humming sound you should test the pump to make sure it’s working correctly.
  2. Before checking the pump, let the dishwasher finish its cycle
  3. Next, turn the power and water off to your dishwasher
  4. Locate the circulation pump and remove it from your dishwasher
  5. Test the pump with a multimeter to ensure it has continuity
  6. If the circulation pump fails the test, replace it. If fine, move on to step 5.
  7. Once a new pump has been installed, check if the dishwasher is working properly. If not, move on to step 5.

Step 5 – Test the drain pump

The final step is to test the drain pump. If the drain pump stops working correctly, the dirty water in your dishwasher at the end of the wash cycle might not drain out which causes grime to stay in your dishwasher, preventing your dishes from being cleaned correctly.

Here’s how to test the drain pump:

  1. Turn the power off to your dishwasher
  2. Turn the water supply off to your dishwasher
  3. Locate the drain pump and remove it from your dishwasher
  4. Test the drain pump with a multimeter to ensure it has continuity
  5. If the drain pump fails the test, replace it
  6. Once a new drain pump has been installed, check if the dishwasher is working properly. If your dishwasher still doesn’t work, you will need to get a technician to come and inspect your dishwasher.
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