Dishwasher Not Cleaning Dishes? 9 Causes and Fixes
Dishwasher not cleaning dishes? Check loading, filter, spray arms, water temperature, detergent and hard water, and when a failing pump or valve is to blame.
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Dishwasher not cleaning dishes is rarely a broken machine. The usual causes are loading mistakes, a dirty filter, clogged spray arms, water that is not hot enough, the wrong amount or type of detergent, or hard water. Work through the free checks first, then look at the inlet valve and the pump if the problem remains.
Dishwasher not cleaning dishes: the quick answer
A dishwasher cleans with three things: hot water, detergent and spray force. If any of them is weak, the result is gritty glasses, food on plates or a white film. Check each one, starting with the filter and the spray arms, which collect debris and block the water that does the cleaning.
| Quick facts: dishwasher not cleaning dishes | |
|---|---|
| Time needed | 20 to 40 minutes |
| Tools | Toothpick or pin, soft brush, vinegar, thermometer |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Safety | Unplug the dishwasher before reaching into the sump or removing the spray arms |
Nine causes to check
- Loading. Dishes blocking the spray arms or stacked too closely stop water reaching them. Face dirtiest surfaces toward the spray, and do not nest bowls.
- Dirty filter. Remove and rinse the filter at the bottom of the tub, and clear the sump.
- Clogged spray arms. Remove the arms, clear the holes with a toothpick, and rinse out the inside.
- Water not hot enough. Run the kitchen tap hot until it is hot, then start the dishwasher. The incoming water should reach about 120 degrees Fahrenheit, as a rough guide.
- Detergent. Use fresh detergent in the right amount, and check that the dispenser opens. Old tablets and too little powder do not clean.
- Hard water. Scale leaves a white film and dulls glasses. A rinse aid, a dishwasher cleaner and a softener help.
- Overloading or pre-rinsing. Overloading blocks water, and over-rinsing can leave detergent with nothing to act on.
- Low water fill. A faulty inlet valve or float gives too little water. Listen for filling and look inside after the fill.
- Weak circulation pump. Water is not sprayed with force. A technician can test it.
What the result tells you
| Result | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Gritty residue, food bits | Dirty filter, blocked spray arms |
| White film, cloudy glasses | Hard water, not enough rinse aid |
| Greasy dishes | Water not hot enough, wrong detergent |
| Dried-on food | Overloading, weak spray, short cycle |
| Detergent left in the cup | Dispenser stuck or blocked by dishes |
| Dishes wet and dirty | Low fill or poor heating |
Cleaning the machine itself
Run an empty hot cycle with a dishwasher cleaner or a cup of white vinegar on the top rack to dissolve grease and scale. Wipe the door seal, and clean the dispenser. A machine that is clean inside cleans dishes better.
When parts are to blame
If the machine does not fill properly, the inlet valve or water level sensor may be at fault. If the spray is weak although the arms are clear, the circulation pump or its seal may be failing. If water does not heat, check the heating element. Dishwasher not cleaning dishes with all the free checks done is a sign to call a technician.
When to call a professional
Call if you hear no spraying or filling, if water is never hot, if the pump is noisy or the display shows an error code, or if leaking accompanies poor cleaning.
Good habits
Scrape rather than rinse, load facing the spray, use rinse aid in hard water, clean the filter monthly, and run a cleaning cycle every few months. In hard water areas, set a reminder to descale the machine regularly so scale does not build up on the heater and spray arms.
Dishwasher not cleaning dishes: the basics to check first
When a dishwasher not cleaning dishes well, start with what you put in it. Scrape food into the trash, keep dishes from touching each other, and do not block the spray arms with tall items. Use fresh detergent in the correct amount, and check that the rinse aid dispenser is full. Hard water leaves spots and a film even when the wash itself is working.
Next, check the spray arms and the filter. A spray arm that does not turn, or a filter clogged with food, reduces the water reaching the dishes. Clean the filter by hand under running water, and check that each spray arm spins freely. A dishwasher not cleaning dishes after these steps may need its water inlet, heater or pump checked by a technician.
Related reading
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- Dishwasher Smells Bad? How to Remove Odors and Find the Cause
- Why Is My Dishwasher Leaking? 9 Sources and How to Fix Them
- Dishwasher Won't Start? Power, Latch, Lock and Fuse Checks
Browse all appliance repair guides, or find an appliance repair technician in your city from the appliance repair directory.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my dishwasher not cleaning dishes?
Common causes are blocked spray arms, a dirty filter, poor loading, water that is not hot enough, the wrong amount of detergent and hard water. Cleaning the filter and spray arms fixes most cases.
Why are my dishes still dirty after the dishwasher?
Food on plates usually means the spray is blocked or the filter is clogged. Gritty residue points to the filter, and a white film points to hard water. Check the loading too, because blocked arms leave dishes dirty.
How do I clean dishwasher spray arms?
Unplug the machine, unscrew or unclip the arms, clear the holes with a toothpick, rinse the arms inside, and refit them so they spin freely. Do this every few months or whenever spray looks weak.
Does the dishwasher need hot water to clean?
Yes. Most work best when the incoming water is around 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Run the kitchen tap hot before starting a cycle, and check whether your model heats the water itself.
How much detergent should I use?
Follow the packet and your manual. Too little will not clean, and too much leaves residue. In hard water, use rinse aid. Always use fresh detergent, because old powder clumps and tablets weaken.
Why do my glasses come out cloudy?
Cloudy glasses are usually from hard water minerals or too much detergent, and sometimes etching from soft water and too much detergent. Use rinse aid, reduce detergent and run a cleaner or vinegar cycle.
Can a faulty inlet valve stop dishes getting clean?
Yes. If the valve fails to fill the tub enough, there is too little water to spray. Listen for filling and check the level after the fill. A technician can test and replace the valve.
When should I call for help with a dishwasher not cleaning dishes?
Call if you cannot hear spraying or filling, the water is never hot, the pump is noisy, an error code shows, or cleaning stays poor after all the filter, arm and detergent checks.
Should I rinse dishes before loading the dishwasher?
Scrape off large food, but do not fully pre-rinse. Modern detergents need some soil to work, and heavily rinsed dishes can come out etched or cloudy. Pre-rinsing also wastes water.
Does the way I load the dishwasher affect cleaning?
Yes. Blocked spray arms, overloaded racks and large items facing the wrong way stop water reaching dishes. Face dirty sides toward the spray and keep the arms free to spin.
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