Common Dishwasher Problems: Tips for Troubleshooting and DIY Dishwasher Repair

Doing dishes can be a pretty thankless chore.

In fact, doing dishes can be a point of contention between some couples, leading to arguments and even break ups.

That’s where the appliance of modern convenience, the dishwasher, comes in. Dishwashers sell an average of nearly 9 million units per year, possibly saving countless relationships.

What happens if yours breaks down? Take a deep breath and don’t panic — we’re going to walk you through common dishwasher problems and how to troubleshoot them.

Your Dishwasher Is Leaking

This is one of the most common dishwasher problems out there. If you see a leak, there are usually three reasons for it.

1) Is the gasket intact?

The gasket is the rubber seal around the side of the door. Cracks or large pieces of debris can prevent it from doing its job.

2) Is the door damaged?

If your door is broken, it allows water to get out. This can end up costing you some serious cash.

3) Is your float switch stuck?

A float switch monitors water levels in the machine. Check to see if it’s got debris caught on it.

Your Dishwasher Isn’t Cleaning

What’s the point of having a dishwasher if it isn’t washing dishes?

First, run a cleaning cycle without dishes to see if it takes care of the problem. If your dishes are still coming out dirty, take a look at the strain screen, sprayer arms, and door gasket for trapped debris or food.

Your Dishwasher Won’t Drain

You can easily flood your kitchen with a dishwasher that won’t drain. Usually, you can fix this by replacing one part.

Look at the check valve in the drain pump. If it’s not working right, you can get the part and easily replace it. All it takes is a little appliance repair know-how and you’re back in business!

Your Racks Won’t Roll Out

We’re all guilty of slamming the dishwasher closed or fighting to fit extra large pots and pans on our racks. This will do a number on the racks themselves.

All you need to do to troubleshoot dishwasher with this issue is replace the wheels on the racks.

Glasses and Dishware Comes Out Spotty

Do you live in an area with hard water? This can cause residue and film to build up.

If you want to know how to repair a dishwasher with this issue, all you need is a water softening rinse. Something like Lemi Shine will do the trick.

Solve All Of Your Common Dishwasher Problems And More

Owning a home is awesome, but all of the little thing that can go wrong — like these common dishwasher problems — can be annoying.

Now you know how to handle the most common ones and get your dishwasher working right again. Like we said before, doing dishes isn’t the best chore; count on your dishwasher to do the heavy lifting.

If you want to learn more about taking care of your house, bookmark our blog! We’ve got great, need-to-know info coming in every day!