Dishwasher Not Filling with Water? Here’s Why

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Paradise Appliance
January 3, 2022
Dishwasher Repair

If your dishwasher is not filling with water, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll explain why and how you can fix it.

Thankfully, most of the reasons in this guide are quite straightforward to fix and don’t require expensive replacement parts.

Here are the main reasons your dishwasher isn’t filling.

The float assembly might be defective

The best place to start is to check the float assembly. When the water is filling into your dishwasher, there is a float that rises to ensure the right amount of water fills into your dishwasher. If it becomes defective or gets out of place it might prevent your dishwasher from filling up. 

To check the float assembly, you need to:

  1. Turn the dishwasher off at the wall or turn the circuit breaker off.
  2. Open the dishwasher door and remove the lower dishrack.
  3. Locate the float assembly. It can be found inside the dishwasher in the tub.
  4. If the float assembly has a cover over it, remove it.
  5. Once you’ve located the float assembly, pull it up and let it go to see if it can move without obstruction. If it moves freely, it is probably not the cause of the problem, so you can move on to checking the next possible cause.
  6. Next, remove the float and then check for any loose debris that might be obstructing it. If you find any obstructions, remove them and then put the float back in.
  7. Once the float is back in and the cover is on it, turn your dishwasher on and check if it now fills. If not, move on to checking the float switch (see below).

The float switch might be faulty

If the float assembly is fine, the problem might be the float switch. When your dishwasher has the correct volume of water, the float lifts and the switch is activated to stop more water from coming into the dishwasher. If the switch becomes faulty, your dishwasher will not fill up with the correct volume of water.

Here’s how to check the float switch:

  1. Turn the dishwasher off at the wall or turn the circuit breaker off.
  2. Open the dishwasher door and remove the lower dishrack.
  3. Locate the float switch. You’ll need to remove the kickplate at the bottom of your dishwasher.
  4. Once located, remove the switch from your dishwasher.
  5. Once removed, use a multimeter to check the switch for continuity.
  6. If the switch fails the continuity test, you will need to install a new switch. If the switch is working correctly, put it back into the dishwasher and then move on to checking the next possible cause.
  7. If you replace the float switch, you’ll need to turn your dishwasher on and check if the dishwasher now fills with water. If not, move on to checking the next possible cause.

The water inlet valve might be faulty

The next component to check is the water inlet valve. The water inlet valve opens up to let the water fill into the dishwasher. When it becomes faulty or the screen inside of it becomes clogged up, it might not be able to open, and your dishwasher won’t fill up with water. 

Here’s how to check the water inlet valve:

  1. Turn the power off to the dishwasher at the wall or turn the circuit breaker off.
  2. Locate the water inlet valve—it is behind the lower kickplate panel which you’ll need to remove.
  3. Once located, first check that the water hoses are not kinked or blocked in any way. If the hoses are okay, disconnect the water inlet valve.
  4. Next, use your multimeter to check the valve for continuity.
  5. If the valve fails the continuity test, you will need to install a new one. If the valve is working correctly, put it back into the dishwasher and then move on to checking the next possible cause.
  6. If you replace the water inlet valve, you’ll need to turn your dishwasher on and check if the dishwasher now fills with water. If not, move on to checking the next possible cause.

The door switch might be faulty

The next component to check is the door switch. The door switch tells the control panel that the door is firmly closed so water can be allowed into the dishwasher. If the door switch fails your dishwasher might not fill with water.

To check the door switch you need to:

  1. Turn the power off by unplugging the dishwasher or turning the circuit breaker off.
  2. Locate the door switch (if you’re not sure where it is, consult your user manual).
  3. Remove the door switch from the dishwasher and then use your multimeter to check the door switch for continuity.
  4. If the door switch fails the continuity test, you will need to install a new switch. If the door switch is working correctly, put it back into the dishwasher and then move on to checking the next possible cause.
  5. If you replace the door switch, you’ll need to turn your dishwasher on and check if the dishwasher now fills with water. If not, move on to checking the next possible cause.

The drain valve and solenoid might be faulty

Some dishwashers have a drain valve that is regulated by a drain solenoid. If the solenoid stops working properly the drain valve will also not be able to work and your dishwasher won’t be able to fill with water.

To check the drain valve, you need to:

  1. Make sure the power is turned off to your dishwasher.
  2. Locate the drain valve (if you’re not sure where it is, consult your user manual).
  3. Once you’ve located the drain valve, you will need to remove it and then use your multimeter to check the valve for continuity.
  4. If the drain valve fails the continuity test, you will need to install a new one. If the valve is working correctly, put it back into the dishwasher.
  5. If you replace the drain valve, you’ll need to turn your dishwasher on and check if the dishwasher now fills with water. If your dishwasher still doesn’t fill with water, you’ll need to get a qualified technician to come and inspect your dishwasher.
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