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Dishwasher troubleshooting guide
Dishwasher on the blink? Before you call out a pro, there are a few things you can do to get it back to its best in no time.
Once you’ve got used to having a dishwasher sorting the pots for you, it’s hard to go without it. So, whether it’s stopped washing properly or you’ve come home to a puddle in your kitchen, we’ve got everything you need to know to get things back on track and keep it running like clockwork.
Why is my dishwasher not cleaning dishes properly?
Finding bits of food on your “clean dishes” isn’t what anyone wants. There are a few different things that can stop your dishwasher from doing its job, and luckily, most of them are easy fixes.
Blocked drain filter
Remove any food residue from the bottom of the dishwasher and clean the filter regularly.
Overloading
If you’ve been stacking the dishwasher high, it can stop water and detergent from reaching every corner. Try spacing out your pots more and see if that fixes it.
Blocked spray arms
Check the holes in the spray arms for food particles or limescale. If they look clogged, give them a quick clean.
Why is there water left in the bottom of my dishwasher?
Your dishwasher’s supposed to drain all the water out at the end of a cycle, so if you’ve found a puddle inside it’s a sign something’s up. Here are a few things you can check yourself:
Blocked drain filter
Food can build up over time, so if the filter’s clogged, give it a quick clean. A bit of regular maintenance can help save this happening in future too.
Twisted drain hose
Check the drain hose is in the right position and, if it’s damaged, you’ll need to replace it.
Interrupted cycle
If a cycle’s been stopped halfway through, it can leave water behind. Try running a fresh programme and check if it drains properly at the end.
Blocked drain pump
Food residue or broken glass can block your drain pump, so carefully check it’s clear and remove anything that’s clogging things up. Clean the filter too, and if that doesn’t fix it, you might need a pro to take a look.
Why isn't my dishwasher filing with water?
This could be anything from a bad connection to a blocked filter, so give your machine a quick once-over to see if it’s one of these easy fixes:
Interrupted water supply
Make sure your water supply tap is open and that the hose is properly connected.
Open door
If the door’s not quite shut, most dishwashers won’t fill up with water. Before you start another cycle, make sure the door’s firmly shut and listen for the click of it latching into place.
Blocked inlet filter
Clean the inlet filter as it can get clogged with food residue or limescale over time and can stop water getting into your machine.
Blocked inlet hose
Check if the inlet hose is twisted, bent, or blocked. Straighten it out or give it a clean to let water flow through again.
Why is detergent left in the dispenser after a wash?
Finding detergent still in the dispenser after a cycle is often something or nothing. It can be as simple as a tablet not dissolving properly or an easily fixed blockage.
Tablet not dissolving
Try running a hotter programme next time and see if that works. Sometimes, a small blockage can stop water from reaching the tablet as it should.
Blocked dispenser
Next time you load the dishwasher, make sure there’s nothing directly in front of the detergent dispenser door, like a tray or a big plate.
Buildup inside the dispenser
After a while, detergent residue can build up, so make sure your dispenser’s nice and clean, so it can release the tablet properly.
Damp or expired detergent
Believe it or not, detergent can go off. Check the packaging to see if it’s in date and make sure it hasn’t got wet before popping it in the machine. Damp capsules can be less effective than fresh, dry tablets.
Why does my dishwasher smell bad?
That’s a sign that there’s a buildup of food, grease, or trapped water in your machine. Keeping things spotless will stop odours building up.
Blocked drain filter
This is the first place to check. Remove and clean your filter regularly, so old food doesn’t create a whiff.
Dirty door seals
The rubber around the door can gather grease, moisture, and food residue, so give it a quick wipe down with a warm, damp cloth and see if that solves the problem.
Blocked drain hose
This can stop wastewater from draining properly, and stagnant water doesn’t smell good. Check for food or debris blocking the pipe and make sure it’s not twisted, so water can drain out after every cycle.
Grease, detergent, or food buildups
Run a dishwasher cleaning cycle every 2-3 months to stop buildups and get rid any odours.
Why is my dishwasher leaking water?
A leak is a surefire sign that something’s not right. But it doesn’t mean it’s going to be a tricky fix. There are a few small things you can sort yourself, no engineer necessary.
Uneven surface
If your dishwasher’s not level, it can make water pool on 1 side and leak during a cycle. Check if it’s a bit wonky and use the adjustable feet to straighten things out.
Overloading
We get wanting to fit everything in, but overfilling your dishwasher can deflect water to the door. Make sure dishes are spaced out properly and avoid blocking the spray arms.
Damaged door seal
Give your door seal a once-over to make sure it’s in good nick. If it’s worn, damaged, or dirty, it could easily be your culprit. A quick clean or replacing it will solve the issue.
Damaged spray arms
Cracked or damaged spray arms can send water in the wrong direction, leading it to escape. Inspect the spray arms for signs of wear and replace them if you need to.
Why won't my dishwasher door close properly?
Struggling to shut the door properly? There are lots of reasons this might happen, from a dodgy door latch to a rack that’s not quite in place.
Blocked door
Make sure nothing’s sticking out and catching when you try to shut the door. A quick rearrange and you’re back on track.
Racks off the tracks
Sometimes, the baskets can slip off their rails. Check the wheels are on the runners properly and pushed all the way in.
Damaged door seal
A worn or twisted door seal can stop it shutting properly. Give it a quick check over and replace it if you find any damage.
Faulty or blocked door latch
The latch keeps the machine secure while a cycle’s on, so if it’s damaged or blocked with debris, it’ll need replacing or cleaning to get it back to its best.
Why are the spray arms not spinning?
Your dishwasher’s spray arms make sure your pots get a good clean, so it’s important they spin properly. There are a few different things you can do to get them moving again.
Big dishes in the way
Make sure large plates or trays aren’t blocking the spray arms and limiting its movement. A quick rearrange could sort it.
Blocked spray arms
If there’s a buildup of food residue or limescale, it can stop them moving properly. Give them a quick clean to get the water flowing.
Blocked drain filter
A clogged filter can stop water from circulating properly, which can stop the arms moving too. Clean the filter and make sure the inlet hose is clear.
Damaged spray arms
Cracked or damaged spray arms can send water in the wrong direction, leading it to escape. Inspect the spray arms for signs of wear and replace them if you need to.
Why is my dishwasher making unusual sounds?
A bit of whooshing is perfectly normal, but anything else, like rattling, humming, or grinding noises, needs some attention. A few quick checks can keep your machine as quiet as it’s supposed to be.
Uneven surface
If your dishwasher’s not level, it can make a rattling noise during a cycle. Check if it’s a bit wonky and use the adjustable feet to straighten things out.
Blocked drain filter
Give your filter a clean regularly to make sure it doesn’t get clogged with food residue. If it’s blocked up, it restricts water flow and can cause humming or grinding sounds.
Dishes or cutlery moving
Make sure you load the dishwasher correctly, stacking with space in between, to make sure your pots don’t knock against each other when the cycle’s running.
Blocked spray arms
If you’ve got tall trays or plates stopping the spray arms from moving freely, they won’t spread water evenly and they can rattle or knock against your dishes. A quick reshuffle will sort it.
Blocked nozzles in the spray arms
Food residue or limescale blocking the nozzles in the spray arms can make the water pressure uneven, creating friction or uneven rotations which can cause a grinding, thumping, or rattling noise. A quick clean dislodges any dirt for even movement.
Why won't my dishwasher start?
If your machine’s falling at the first hurdle, there are a few little bits and bobs that could be behind it.
No power
Check your dishwasher’s plugged in, the switch is on, and your socket’s working properly. Try plugging in another electrical to see if it’s a problem with the socket instead of the machine.
Child lock on
Child lock disables the controls, so little fingers can’t cause chaos in the kitchen. Make sure it’s off, so you can run a cycle.
Not all settings have been chosen
Some cycles need you to choose extra settings, like the temperature or duration, so try cancelling the programme and choosing again.
The door’s not shut properly
Make sure the door is closed and locked. Most models won’t run a cycle until the latch has clicked into place. Check there’s nothing blocking the door or seals.
Your dishwasher is designed to stop any accidents, especially leaks, so sometimes it won’t run until the door’s properly shut and the cycle’s good to go. A few quick checks can solve most of the problems in a couple of minutes, and now you know just what to do before calling in an expert.
