Top 5 Dishwasher Problems and Solutions

Are your dishes not drying? Is there food left on them after a wash? Sick of spots on your glassware? Here are the most common dishwasher issues our technicians see — and how to fix them.
Yikes! You ran the dishwasher to prep for your big dinner party, but it refused to cooperate.

If your dishes aren’t drying or you’ve got white spots on your glassware, you’re not alone. Those are just a couple of the most common things that can go wrong with your appliance — and the experts at Sears have seen it all. In fact, our technicians repair more than half a million dishwashers each year!

Here are the five most common problems with dishwashers (and how to fix them).

1. Dishes Not Drying

Likely Culprit: Not using rinse aid.

Dishwashers are designed with the expectation that rinse aid will be used in every cycle. It's not just an optional add-on but a fundamental component for achieving perfectly dry, spotless dishes. Rinse aid works by effectively reducing the surface tension of water, which is a game-changer for both drying efficiency and the aesthetic quality of your dishes post-wash.

• Enhanced Drying: Rinse aid promotes faster drying by reducing water's surface tension, ensuring it spreads into thinner sheets rather than forming droplets. This action accelerates evaporation, leaving dishes dry.
• Spot and Streak Prevention: It ensures water droplets do not form, which, when left to dry naturally, can leave spots or streaks. This is particularly noticeable on glassware and cutlery, where clarity is most appreciated.

Despite advancements in dishwasher detergent formulas, including tablets and packs that claim to include rinse aid, the effectiveness of a dedicated rinse aid compartment remains superior. This dedicated rinse aid dispenser releases the liquid at the optimal moment during the cycle, ensuring the best possible distribution and effectiveness.

• Optimal Timing: The dishwasher's built-in dispenser ensures that rinse aid is released at the ideal time, maximizing its efficiency in the rinse cycle. This precise timing cannot be matched by rinse aids mixed into detergents.
• Concentration and Effectiveness: Separate rinse aid dispensers maintain the concentration of rinse aid, optimizing its effectiveness in water shedding and spot prevention, unlike mixed-in detergent versions that might dilute its impact.

Many high-efficiency dishwashers and those with eco-friendly cycles operate at lower temperatures, which can challenge the drying process. In these instances, the role of rinse aid becomes even more pivotal. By promoting rapid water runoff, it compensates for the lower heat, aiding the drying process without leaving residues.

• Compensation for Lower Temperatures: Rinse aid's effectiveness is particularly noticeable in dishwashers with eco-friendly cycles that use lower temperatures, ensuring dishes still come out dry and spotless.

If you have hard water, the use of rinse aid is even more crucial. Hard water can leave mineral deposits on dishes; rinse aid helps in minimizing these marks by ensuring that water droplets do not dry on the dishes.

• Hard Water Solution: It minimizes the appearance of hard water spots, which are caused by minerals left behind from water droplets, ensuring your dishes look clean and new after each wash cycle.

Incorporating rinse aid into your dishwashing routine is not merely a recommendation but a necessity for optimally dry, spot-free dishes. Remember to check and refill your dishwasher's rinse aid dispenser regularly to maintain the highest level of performance from your appliance.

2. Dishwasher Not Draining

Likely Culprit: New disposal installed and drain plug not removed.

It’s common in a new installation of a garbage disposal to keep the knockout plug in place. For many dishwashers, the drain hose connects to the garbage disposal, so the knockout plug must be removed for the dishwasher to drain.

Contact a licensed plumber to correct the issue with the knockout plug. After removing the knockout plug, make sure the drain hose is connected securely back to the disposal connection.
If the disposal was professionally installed, contact the installer to correct the draining issue

3. Dishwasher Leaves Spots or a Film On Glassware

Likely Culprit: Hard water conditions and not using a rinse aid.

White film (hard water) is caused by high levels of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. People who live in areas that have hard water often struggle with white film on their dishes, glasses and the interior tub of the dishwasher.

There are extreme cases where the rinse agent and soap aren’t able to soften the water enough in hard water areas to achieve desired cleaning results. In these cases, a dish detergent booster such as Lemi Shine has been known to drastically improve cleaning results.

4. Dishwasher Running Too Long

Likely Culprit: Low water temp and new efficient design.

Long cycle times can be caused by:

• Not running the hot water in the sink before starting the dishwasher. Turn on the hot water faucet nearest to the dishwasher for a couple of minutes to clear any cold water from the pipes.
• Choice in cycle selection and options: Some cycles run longer than others. Cycles such as sanitize and options like extra dry heat increase the cycle time.
• Household water temperature in the water heater is not set to at least 120ºF.
• It takes about two minutes to heat the water inside the dishwasher 1 degree. Most cycles require the temperature to be 135ºF. If the incoming water temperature is only 105ºF, for example, it would take an additional 60 minutes to finish the cycle.

If the water temperature is under 120ºF, have a qualified person raise the water heater thermostat setting.

5. Crumbs and Food On Dishes

Likely Culprit: Need to clean filter.

Most dishwasher models today have a removable filter. Check your owner’s manual for the location and cleaning instructions for your model.

If the filter is clogged or dirty, it may result in food particles on dishes and affect overall cleaning performance.

The filter needs to be cleaned when:

• Objects or soiled spots are visible on the upper filter assembly.
• There are food particles or soil still present on the dishes.
• Dishes feel gritty to the touch.
• Enough time has passed based on the cleaning chart recommendations found in the owner’s manual.

Caution: There may be sharp objects such as broken glass in this area.

Addressing common dishwasher problems effectively can enhance performance and extend its lifespan. Regular maintenance is key to preventing these issues from turning into costly repairs. Don't let dishwasher dilemmas disrupt your daily routine. If you're experiencing persistent problems or simply want to ensure your dishwasher operates at its best, schedule maintenance service with Sears Home Services today. Our expert technicians are equipped to diagnose, solve, and prevent a wide range of dishwasher issues, ensuring smooth and efficient operation.