What is Wrong With My Dishwasher?

If your dishwasher is leaking, leaving a bad smell after cleaning the dishes, is not starting or draining, there are ways to make it work again with some simple repairs.

Here are some of the most common dishwasher problems that you may encounter and can repair or get repaired by a professional.

Dishwasher not cleaning dishes

When the dishes come out with residue or dirt after dishwashing, there can be many reasons behind it. First, make sure you're not overloading it and check if any of the plates or utensils are preventing the spray arms motion. Not scraping the food off the dishes before loading them in the dishwasher can also cause this problem.

Another common reason for dishwashers not cleaning the dishes is due to grease and debris stuck in strain screen, spray arms, or door gaskets. Try cleaning these parts of the machine and then run the dishwasher with detergent but without any plates or dishes.

Issues with starting the dishwasher

Start with checking if the dishwasher is plugged into the power outlet correctly. Next, see if there are any issues with the door latch. A tripped circuit breaker can be another reason causing this issue. If your dishwasher is still not starting, it's better to call a professional to repair it.

Leaking dishwasher

A dishwasher can leak due to cracks or defects in the drainage hose or gaskets, defective seals, or a damaged pump. In such cases, replacing these parts can fix the issue. Next, see if the dishwasher is overfilling.

If the problem persists, the leakage may be due to cracks in the interior. If so, you need to replace your dishwasher.

Draining Issues

When a dishwasher is not draining, it can be due to garbage disposal issues, such as food sediment buildup. If you have replaced the garbage disposal with a new one, the draining problem can be because the drain plug is coming in the way.

Noisy dishwasher

Most dishwashers make some noise, but if your dishwasher is making more noise than usual, there can be a problem. Start with checking if the pump is faulty. Next, see if the spray arms are working correctly. Lastly, try replacing the bearing ring and the wash arm seal. Call a professional if the issue persists.

Dishwasher taking more time than usual for cleaning

First, try to note your dishwasher's usual running time to see if it is taking more time to clean the dishes. Next, make sure the right mode is selected. Check if the water you're supplying to the dishwasher is hot enough.

Smelly dishwasher

If your dishwasher smells bad, see if there is any old food or grease trapped in it. Check the sprayer arms jets, strainer screen, and bottom of the door and clean them. Next, add a cleaning detergent and run the dishwasher without any dishes. Make sure to scrape off food and grease off the plates before loading them in the dishwasher to prevent this problem.

If you're unable to diagnose issues with your dishwasher, not sure how to repair it, or need a professional's services, we're here for you!

Freedom Appliance of Tampa Bay has 13 years of experience in professional repair and installation of all laundry and kitchen appliances and dryer duct cleaning. Call  813-302-7672 today!