Dishwasher not cleaning bottom rack

Why is my dishwasher not washing the bottom rack?

Clogged spray arm holes, improper loading and a blocked spray arm are the leading causes of a dishwasher not washing dishes in the bottom rack.

How to load the dishwasher for proper cleaning

Follow the dish loading guidelines in your owner’s manual to ensure proper washing of dishes.

Here’s a popular and helpful video that shows how to properly load a dishwasher and avoid washing problems:

When loading your dishwasher, make sure the dirtiest part of the dish faces down so it gets direct spray from the spray arms. Place dishes with concave surfaces—like the bottoms of coffee mugs—at an angle on the dishrack to allow water to drain easier and improve drying. Always check that all spray arms spin freely before you start the dishwasher cycle.

Remove labels from jars and bottles before loading in the dishwasher, or hand wash these items because the labels can fall off during washing, clogging the screens and pumps inside the dishwasher.

What to put in the top dishrack

The top rack is best suited for cups, glasses and lightweight plastic items. Place cups and glasses in the rows between tines—not over them, which can cause glasses to break.

Put all your plastic dishes and storage containers on the upper rack—some plastics can melt if they’re too close to the heating element at the bottom of the dishwasher tub.

Wedge the lids of storage containers between the tines and a glass to prevent the lids from coming loose and falling to the bottom of the tub. Or, use no-flip clips to hold lids or larger plastic items such as cups, bowls or storage containers, in place during washing. These clips fit the tines on most dishwasher model, regardless of brand. Order plenty of clips and use them to keep all your plastic items in place.

Larger cooking utensils also should go on the upper rack, with spoons facing down so they don’t collect water.

What works best in the bottom dishrack

Follow these expert tips for loading the bottom rack:

• The bottom dishrack is best for plates, pots, pans and casserole dishes.
• Glasses and mugs that don’t fit in the top rack also should go here.
• Load plates with the dirty side facing the center, with enough room between each plate to let water reach both sides.
• Angle pots, pans and casserole dishes with the dirty surface facing down. If your dishwasher is a Kenmore with TurboZone spray jets, face heavily soiled dishes toward the TurboZone jets and select the TurboZone option for the cycle.
• You can load bowls in either rack, but you usually need to load larger mixing or serving bowls in the bottom rack if they're too big for the top rack.
• Load taller items like cookie sheets on the outer edges of the bottom rack, making sure not to block the soap dispenser. If a cookie sheet or other item is too tall, see if you can raise the upper rack using the buttons or knobs on the side of the rack. If all else fails, you can release the rail clips and pull the upper dishrack completely out to wash multiple tall items in the lower dishrack.

Follow these loading tips to help your dishwasher get your dishes as clean as possible and keep them damage-free.

Expert Tips for Resolving Dishwasher Cleaning Problems

This helpful video provides a comprehensive guide to help you resolve cleaning issues in your dishwasher (including not cleaning dishes in the bottom rack):

Follow the expert tips in this video for:

• Proper loading.
• Choosing the correct cycle and settings.
• Checking the dishwasher filters for clogs.
• Checking spray arms for cracks and clogs.
• Making sure the dishwasher fills with water properly.
• Measuring water supply temperature going to the dishwasher.
• Troubleshooting detergent dispenser problems.
• Using rinse aid.

By using this advice, you can make sure that the dishes in the bottom rack and throughout your dishwasher get clean during every cycle.

If your dishwasher still won’t clean the bottom rack after following all of these troubleshooting tips, schedule dishwasher repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the washing problem.

What to expect when you experience a dishwasher not cleaning the bottom rack

Expert tips for resolving a problem with your dishwasher not cleaning the bottom rack

Fixing a dishwasher not cleaning the bottom rack typically involves replacing the pump and motor assembly, water inlet valve or the electronic control board. However, there may be other issues preventing dishes on the bottom rack to get clean, so a full diagnosis is essential to fixing the problem. In some dishwashers, a clogged or broken spray arm can inhibit cleaning of dishes on the bottom dishrack. Getting an accurate diagnosis by a repair technician is essential to fixing the problem right.

Our advice for fixing a dishwasher not cleaning dishes in the bottom rack

Cleaning problems at the bottom of the dishwasher can stem from loading problems or damage to the lower spray arm. Check your owner’s manual for proper dish loading instructions and make sure the spray arm isn’t blocked by dishes. Look for damage to the lower spray arm and have a service technician replace that part if it’s damaged. Having this problem professionally fixed by an appliance repair expert will ensure that the issue gets fixed efficiently and permanently.

Fixing a dishwasher that is not cleaning dishes in the bottom rack

To fix a dishwasher that’s not cleaning dishes in the bottom dishrack, our Sears Home Services technician will start by thoroughly checking the bottom spray arm for damage or clogged spray arm holes. If the tech finds no problems with the spray arm, further diagnostic tests will be performed to check the pump, diverter and other components in the dishwasher that can cause the cleaning issue. Once the cause if found, the technician will repair or replace parts needed to fix the problem. Our experienced Sears Home Services technician will be able to quickly find and fix the cause of cleaning problem no matter what type of dishwasher you have.

If the bottom rack emerges grimy, weak water pressure or blocked spray arms might be missing that lower area. Don’t keep re-washing those plates—book dishwasher technician.