Dishwasher not washing
Common reasons your dishwasher not washing
The most common reasons your dishwasher is not washing are a faulty pump and motor assembly, defective electronic control board or a clogged spray arm.
35% of the time it's the
Pump and Motor Assembly
23% of the time it's the
Electronic Control Board
10% of the time it's the
Spray Arm
32% of the time it's the
Something else
Schedule your dishwasher repair now!
We can help! Our service technicians have repaired over 19.7M dishwashers. We can fix yours no matter where you bought it.
What our customers say about us
With more than 1.3 Million 5 Star Reviews, you don't have to take our word for it
Thorough
James called to give an estimated arrival time. He was professional and personable. He had 2 professional ideas of the problem and found 1 was correct, but he didn't stop there. He did a thorough check of the appliance. 1 small part was needed. He ordered the part to my house. Fortunately, he was able to schedule for the next week, just before Thanksgiving. As before, he called ahead, arrived and quickly fixed the problem. My appliance is working perfectly.
Kirsten A, Oxford, PA
Service Call
Luke was great. Polite and knowledgeable even though the dishwasher was older than he!
James G, Hillsboro, MO
Daniel
Daniel went above and beyond to fix my dish washer. Very pleasant to deal with.
Paul F, Hghlnds Ranch, CO
Common dishwasher repair parts you may need
Replacing one of these dishwasher parts may fix your problem.
Pump and Motor Assembly Replacement
When your dishwasher isn't washing dishes properly, it's often due to a faulty pump and motor assembly. This part pumps water up through the spray arms to clean the dishes during the cycle. If the pump impeller is broken or the motor fails, the pump won't work, and the dishes won't get cleaned. You might hear strange noises like buzzing or grinding from the pump and motor assembly when it's not working right. To fix this issue, schedule a repair with Sears Home Services to have a technician come to your home and repair the dishwasher if a faulty pump is suspected.
Electronic Control Board Replacement
When your dishwasher isn't washing, it might be due to a faulty electronic control board. This board can freeze up and stop sending power to the wash motor if its internal memory or logic gets corrupted. Problems like a failed relay or malfunctioning electronic parts on the board could cause it to freeze up. Figuring out if the control board is defective can be tricky. To resolve this issue, it's best to have a Sears Home Services technician examine and repair your dishwasher when it's not washing properly.
Spray Arm Replacement
If your dishwasher isn't washing dishes well, a clogged spray arm might be to blame. This happens when hard water deposits or debris block the holes in the spray arm, preventing water from reaching the dishes. When the holes are clogged, the spray arm can't spin properly either. To solve this issue, you can schedule a visit from a Sears Home Services Repair Expert. They'll come to your home, check your dishwasher, and clear any clogs in the spray arms to make sure your dishes get clean.
What to expect when you experience a dishwasher not washing issue
Fixing a dishwasher not washing problem
Repairing most issues with dishwashers not washing properly often requires replacing the pump and motor assembly, electronic control board, or spray arm. However, because there could be various reasons for the problem, it's crucial to conduct a thorough diagnosis to pinpoint the issue accurately. Getting an accurate diagnosis is vital for understanding the cost of the repair.
Sears Home Services provides solutions for a dishwasher that is not washing
If your dishwasher isn't washing dishes properly, several factors could be causing the issue. To prevent replacing unnecessary parts, we advise having a Sears Home Services professional conduct diagnostic tests to determine the exact cause of the problem. Our technicians are skilled at identifying various types of dishwasher failures.
What to look for when diagnosing a dishwasher not washing
Diagnosing issues with modern appliances can be challenging without the right expertise and training. Attempting to fix your dishwasher problem without employing proper diagnostic methods often leads to replacing parts based on guesswork. Over the past decade, appliances have become highly advanced, with many incorporating intricate electronic components that are hard to assess. As a result, DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are growing more complex.
Repair Dishwasher Resources
Is your dishwasher not filling with water? Discover quick and effective troubleshooting steps to get it working again and prevent costly repairs.
If your dishwasher won't drain, learn how simple checks and advanced troubleshooting can help get it working again.
Learn how to unclog a Bosch dishwasher with our step-by-step guide. Discover practical tips for preventing future drainage issues for optimal performance.
The decision to repair or replace a malfunctioning dishwasher can be daunting.
Glossary Terms
Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. It contrasts with soft water, which has lower concentrations of these minerals.
A furnace switch, also known as a safety switch, is an essential component of your heating system, ensuring it operates safely under all conditions by serving as a power shutoff mechanism.
Wattage is the measure of electrical power expressed in watts (W), indicating the rate at which a device consumes energy.
Refrigerant is a chemical compound used in HVAC systems and refrigerators to absorb heat from the environment by cycling through states of evaporation and condensation, enabling the cooling process through its cycle of evaporation and condensation.
Common dishwasher symptoms to look out for
- Dishwasher burning smell
- Dishwasher detergent not dispensing
- Dishwasher dispenser not working
- Dishwasher display not working
- Dishwasher door not closing
- Dishwasher leaking
- Dishwasher leaking from bottom
- Dishwasher leaking water
- Dishwasher leaks water
- Dishwasher light not working
- Dishwasher lights flashing and will not start
- Dishwasher no heat
- Dishwasher no power
- Dishwasher no water
- Dishwasher noisy
- Dishwasher not cleaning bottom rack
- Dishwasher not draining
- Dishwasher not draining properly
- Dishwasher not drying
- Dishwasher not filling
- Dishwasher not heating
- Dishwasher not spinning
- Dishwasher not starting
- Dishwasher not turning on
- Dishwasher not working
- Dishwasher won't drain
- Dishwasher won't start cycle
- Dishwasher won't turn off
- Dishwasher won't wash
These dishwasher brands may also experience not washing
- Amana dishwasher not washing
- Bosch dishwasher not washing
- Electrolux dishwasher not washing
- Frigidaire dishwasher not washing
- GE dishwasher not washing
- GE Profile dishwasher not washing
- Hotpoint dishwasher not washing
- JennAir dishwasher not washing
- Kenmore dishwasher not washing
- Kenmore Elite dishwasher not washing
- KitchenAid dishwasher not washing
- LG dishwasher not washing
- Maytag dishwasher not washing
- Samsung dishwasher not washing
- Whirlpool dishwasher not washing