Dishwashers can free up the monotonous tasks of washing up by hand. But they’re only convenient if they’ve working properly. Like all appliances, dishwashers can encounter faults. Below are some of the common faults and their likely causes.
The dishwasher doesn’t start
There could be all kinds of reasons for a dishwasher not starting. One of the most common causes is door latch issues – if the latch isn’t clicking, the dishwasher won’t start its cycle. Alternatively, if you’re turned off your dishwasher mid-cycle it could be stuck between cycles. Turning your dishwasher off and on/unplugging and replugging it could solve this. If this isn’t the cause, it’s possible it could be a faulty internal part such as the drive motor or motor start relay. This will require a technician to fix. Avoid trying to keep turning on your dishwasher if it continuously blow the fuse.
Dishes come out dirty
There’s no use in a dishwasher that doesn’t properly wash dishes. First, make sure you’re loading dishes sensibly. If dishes are closely packed together with no gap, water won’t be able to get to them.If loading isn’t the issue, check the filter isn’t dirty or clogged. This filter is usually found at the bottom of the dishwasher and can be easily removed to get rid of debris (make sure to also clean the walls of your dishwasher if they have stubborn build-ups of grime). If these problems aren’t the issue, then another potential cause could be a water supply issue. This may require a technician to assess and fix.
There’s a bad odor
Got a smelly dishwasher? Like problems with cleaning, this could be due to a dirty filter or build-ups of grime on the walls of the dishwasher. However, it could also be due to mold getting into the seal. A thorough deep clean of your dishwasher could help to get rid of the smell. Start by cleaning the filter and the walls of the dishwasher. Then run a sponge over the seals (a DIY solution of baking soda and vinegar could do the trick against mold). After this, run a cycle with no dishes and see if the smell remains. If it does, you may need to call out an engineer.
The dishwasher is not draining
A blockage could be preventing your dishwasher from draining properly. This could be in the filter, the pump or the drain hose. You may be able to get rid of this blockage yourself providing it’s not too deep. If you don’t feel confident doing this, call out a technician to fix the blockage. Other issues such as a broken drainage pump could also be responsible and will also require a professional.
The dishwasher is not drying
Most dishwashers are designed to wash and dry dishes. If your dishwasher is designed to dry dishes and isn’t drying them, there are a few possible causes. A dishwasher not drying could be due to a faulty heating element – if it’s not heating properly, it won’t dry your dishes. Another common problem is an issue with the high limit thermostat, which may be cutting off the drying cycle if it thinks the dishwasher is getting too hot. There are other possible causes that a technician can help you diagnose and fix.
There are odd noises
Dishwashers make all kinds of noises throughout their cycle. But there are some noises that you’ll know are not normal such as loud rattling or grinding. Rattling can be caused by items being packed too loosely or items like cutlery interfering with the spray arms (make sure they’re not protruding too far below the bottom tray). A grinding noise could be due to an object getting stuck in the pump. This object will need to be removed and the pump will need to be inspected for damage. Other problems can also cause odd noises and a technician should be able to diagnose these.
The dishwasher is leaking
A leaky dishwasher could cause water damage and other issues if not fixed. There are a few possible places where water can leak from. The most common place is the seal. If the seal is damaged, water will seep out during the cycle. Start by checking this first. If the leak seems to be coming from the back, it could be a problem with a water inlet valve. Leaks could also be due to drain hose damage or even float switch issues. Most of these leaks are best diagnosed and repaired by a professional, but it can still be handy to try to locate them if you can.