5 Signs Your Dishwasher Needs To Be Repaired

Is your dishwasher not cleaning dishes properly? Are the dishes coming out with visible spots or film on them, or are they still wet after a cycle? These are just some of the signs that your dishwasher needs to be repaired. 

Other signs include strange noises during operation, water leakage from the appliance, and an inability to start running. In this article, we will explore five key indications that point to a need for a dishwasher repair.

1. Your dishes are not getting clean

It’s frustrating when your dishes are not coming out as clean as they should be. The dishwasher may be full of dirty dishes, but the dishwashing process itself is just as important.

• Start by making sure dishwasher detergent and rinse aid are filled correctly and that you’re using the right amount for the load size. Too little detergent means that the dishes don’t get clean. Too much, and the machine can fill with suds, making it hard to clean the dishes effectively. 

• Additionally, the wrong type of dishwashing detergent can leave your dishes with streaks or stains, be sure to find a detergent that meets your needs. If you cook a lot of burgers or do a lot of frying, look for detergents that cut through grease. If you’re a wine lover or do a lot of entertaining, then a detergent that leaves your glasses spotless may be more your speed.

• Next, check to ensure that dishware isn’t blocking the dishwasher spray arms; otherwise, the water can’t reach the stains, and the cycle can’t clean the dishes. It also helps to scrape large food chunks off plates before loading them in. 

These can get caught in the dishwasher’s filter, making it harder for the dishwasher to drain and keeping food debris and grease in the dishwasher during future cycles. Your dishes definitely won’t get clean if they’re being rinsed with dirty water. 

• For more stubborn stains, you can use a steel wool pad to clean the dishes beforehand. These work especially well for difficult stains like cutlery caked in grease, cheese, or egg. If all else fails, you should have your dishwasher checked to make sure it’s running properly. 

With these tips and tricks, your dishes should be sparkling again in no time!

2. There is water pooling at the bottom of the dishwasher

Having dishwasher water pooling at the bottom of your dishwasher is no fun! But don’t worry, as dishwasher issues are often quite easily resolved. It may be relatively minor, like a loose dish blocking the drain hose or not enough detergent. 

It could also be a signal that you need to clean your dishwasher filter — the little screen at the bottom of the dishwasher basin. However, it could point to a deeper issue with the dishwasher itself. If the problem persists, remember that there are many helpful resources out there to help you troubleshoot and find an appropriate solution.

3. The dishwasher is making strange noises

It’s unsettling when the dishwasher makes strange noises. No one wants to live with a noisy machine interrupting daily routines. However, this can usually be easily fixed with a few simple steps. 

• First, check to make sure all your dishes are sitting securely in the racks and not rubbing against any other items.
• Then make sure the dishwasher’s filter is clear so that the machine can drain properly during the cycle.
• Also, cut down on overloading the dishwasher by ensuring there is sufficient room for water to flow through to ensure an efficient wash cycle.
• You may also want to try running an empty cycle and listen carefully. Listen for the door to lock, you can hear the pumps engage to fill and drain the dishwasher, and you can hear the arms spin.

Any variation in those sounds (if they’re slow or grumbling a little too much), can help pinpoint the issue when you call a repair technician.

4. It is taking longer than usual for your dishes to get clean

Doing the dishes has never been easy, but it can be especially hard when your dishwasher takes longer than usual to get the job done. If this is a new issue you’ve been having, there are a few steps you can take to try to get back on track.

• First, double-check that you’ve loaded the dishwasher correctly — with large dishes and pots at the bottom and lightweight glasses, mugs, and bowls at the top.
• Also, make sure the filter at the bottom of the dishwasher is clean and that the dishwasher is draining properly.
• Additionally, check your user manual to see if there are any specialized settings that might help with cleaning times or food residue removal.

If these aren’t resolving your noisy dishwasher, be sure to call a professional. 

5. You have noticed leaks coming from the dishwasher

Seeing water leaking from the dishwasher can be worrying, especially if you’re unsure of the cause. The first thing to do after the dishwasher has finished its cycle and drained is to check the sealing gasket on the inside of the door and door frame of the dishwasher. These can break down over time due to general wear and tear and leak small amounts of water. Fortunately, these are relatively easy to replace yourself. You can find handy guides online to walk you through the steps. If you don’t feel comfortable doing that, you can always have a repair technician do it for you.

The next thing to do is check all connections to the dishwasher, as this may simply be an issue with a broken or loose connecting hose. If these all appear to be properly connected and secure, then it’s possible that there could be something wrong with the internal draining system, perhaps due to a broken pump or sealant.

Although diagnosing and repairing dishwashers can be tricky, there are plenty of simple solutions available online. Alternatively, if you’re feeling unsure, it’s always best to contact a professional for advice or assistance in repairing your appliance.

Final thoughts

While most of the above may have simple solutions, we’ve given them here. Sometimes the problem is too big or too complicated, and sorting out the problem yourself can lead to further complications. 

If you have noticed any of these persistent problems with your dishwasher, it is time to call a repairman. These are all signs that something is wrong with your dishwasher, and it needs to be fixed. Call a professional who can diagnose and fix the problem quickly so that your dishes will be sparkling clean in no time.