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How to Troubleshoot Your Dishwasher

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Unless your dishwasher is part of the massive Bosch dishwasher recall, your unit should last you a decade or more. This is, of course, if you take good care of it. To get the most out of your dishwasher, you need to keep an eye and ear out for any signs of problems and address them before they get worse.

Here are some tips on how to troubleshoot your dishwasher.

Leaks on the Floor

There are several reasons why your dishwasher is leaking out onto your kitchen floor. These may include just a dirty door, a damaged door gasket or the unit might be sitting unevenly on the floor. To troubleshoot for leaks, inspect the door and the gasket around it. Look for any debris that prevents the door from sealing properly, and search for cracks in the gasket. Remove dirt with a mild cleaner if you see any. Replace the gasket if it shows any damage.

Ensure the unit is sitting level. Use the levelers on the dishwasher to adjust if necessary. If these don't solve the leaking problem, check the hoses for damage or a loose fit. Examine the float system inside the dishwasher to ensure it is functioning properly. Clear away any debris that might prevent it from operating.

Dishwasher Is Not Filling Up

The cause of this common dishwasher issue often involves the water supply system. Check to make sure that the water supply to the dishwasher is on. Next, turn off the power to the unit and inspect the float system inside it. Try to move it up and down to see if it moves smoothly. It should make a clicking sound that indicates the drain and fill levers are working properly. If possible, take it out, clean it and reinstall it. If this does not solve your problem, locate the inlet valve and remove it. Clear away any debris on the filter and try it again. If the screen is clear, you may need to replace the valve altogether.

Dishwasher Keeps Filling with Water

This issue often involves the float system that closes and opens the water supply and drain valves. Turn off the power supply to the dishwasher and reach into the float system inside. Try to maneuver the float system up and down. You should hear a click when you do so, which indicates that the drain and fill levers are locking into place. If it appears to be working properly, the problem could be a faulty fill timer system or the water inlet valve. You might want to hire a pro if you are unsure of how to inspect and fix the valve or the fill timer system

Dishwasher Is Not Draining

Clogs are the usual cause of dishwashers that do not drain. Inspect the drain line for clogs or for any kinks. Next, open the air gap and insert a stiff wire through it to clean out the drain line and dislodge any blockages. Once the dishwasher is cool enough after turning off the power, take out the strainer and clear away any debris. Check the sink trap as well for blockages. Checking the drain hose requires more effort as you'll need to pull the dishwasher out, disconnect the hose and then clear out the dirt inside it with high pressure water. If you determine that clogs are not the problem, you might need to replace its drain valve.

Dishwasher Has No Power

If your dishwasher won't run after you turn it on or if it doesn't show any signs of electrical power, check its electrical connections. See if the plug properly connects into the wall receptacle. Examine the electrical panel if the circuit breaker that connects to the dishwasher has tripped. Reset it by flipping the switch up and down. If there's some sign of power and it still doesn't run, have an electrician inspect your dishwasher.