For information only. You may need an experience technician.
A. Dishwasher not cleaning
1. Water pump belt
The water pump belt might be worn or broken. However, few dishwashers have a water pump belt.
2. Water inlet valve
If the valve is clogged or defective, the dishwasher won’t get enough water to clean dishes properly. If the water inlet valve is clogged, replace it.
3. Lower wash arm assembly
The lower wash arm circulates water to the dishes in the lower rack. If water can’t flow properly through the lower wash arm, the dishes in the lower rack won’t be cleaned properly. Over time, food particles can get trapped in the tiny holes in the wash arm. If your dishes are coming out dirty, the wash arm might be clogged. To unclog the lower wash arm, remove the wash arm and dislodge any debris from the holes. If the wash arm is extremely clogged, replace it.
4. Upper wash arm assembly
See Lower wash arm assembly
5. Circulation pump
The circulation pump uses a motor and impeller to force water up through the wash arms. If the circulation pump is defective, the dishes won’t be cleaned properly. If the motor isn’t making any noise or is just making a humming sound after the dishwasher has filled, the motor may be burned out. First, ensure that power is getting to the motor. Second, to ensure that the impeller can turn, check the pump housing for debris.
6. Pump & motor assembly
The motor drives an impeller to force water up through the wash arms. If the motor is defective, the pump impeller is broken, or some part of the pump is clogged, dishes won’t be cleaned properly. Make sure that power is getting to the circulation pump and motor.
7. Washer impeller
The wash impeller is a small plastic blade that forces water up through the wash arms. If the impeller is broken or is missing some of its fins, it might not generate enough pressure to force the water up through the wash arms. On most models, you can replace the wash impeller independently of the pump and motor assembly.
B. Dishwasher not draining
1. Drain pump
The drain pump uses an impeller to force water through the drain hose. If the drain pump motor is not working, the dishwasher won’t drain. To determine if the drain pump is defective, check the pump motor for continuity using a multimeter.
2. Drain solenoid valve
The drain solenoid opens the drain valve to allow the water to exit the dishwasher. If the drain solenoid fails the valve will not open causing the dishwasher not to drain.
3. Drain valve
Over time, the drain valve can get clogged with debris. To ensure that water can flow through the drain valve, clean out the valve. If the drain valve is clear of debris but it still won’t actuate, replace it.
4. Pump & motor assembly
See A.6
5. Clogged or improperly installed garbage
If the garbage disposer was installed recently, the drain plug may not have been removed. All garbage disposers are sold with a solid plug in the drain tube. If the dishwasher is not connected to the garbage disposer, the plug must remain in the drain tube. However, if the dishwasher is connected to the garbage disposer, the plug must be removed.
6. Drain hose
The drain hose might be clogged. To unclog the drain hose, remove the drain hose from both the dishwasher and the sink drain and clean it out. The drain hose is most commonly clogged near the garbage disposer
7. Check valve
The check valve prevents water from returning to the dishwasher after it has drained. If the valve gets stuck closed, it will prevent the water from draining.
8. Check ball
The check ball is a small plastic ball in the check valve that prevents water from returning to the dishwasher after the dishwasher has drained. If the check ball gets stuck, it will prevent water from draining through the check valve.
C. Dishwasher buttons not working
1. Touchpad & control panel
First, ensure that the display works. If the dishwasher display is working but the some of the button don’t respond correctly, the touchpad and control panel might need to be replaced.
2. Main control board
The main control board regulates nearly every function in the dishwasher. If there is a problem with the main control board, it might not send voltage to the dishwasher touchpad, causing the touchpad buttons not to work. Control boards are often misdiagnosed; make sure you test more commonly defective parts before replacing the main control board.
D. Dishwasher lights flashing or blinking
1.Heat element
The heating element heats up the water to operating temperature. If the water doesn’t reach the proper temperature after a set amount of time, a light on the control panel might start flashing. To determine if the heating element has burned out, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. If the heating element does not have continuity, replace it.
2. Drain pump
See B.1
3. Touchpad & control panel
See C.1
E. Dishwasher leaking
1. Water inlet valve
The water inlet valve opens to allow water to enter the dishwasher. If the water inlet valve is stuck open, the dishwasher will continue to fill with water until the dishwasher leaks or overflows.
2. Sump assembly
Most dishwasher pumps have a large bowl, or sump, which collects the water that enters the pump. The sump is lined with a rubber seal that prevents water from entering the dishwasher tub. If the sump seal is worn out, the sump will leak water. If the sump seal is leaking water, replace it. In addition, on some dishwashers, a lock ring secures the sump to the bottom of the tub. If the lock ring is cracked or damaged, replace it.
3. Diverter motor
4. Door gasket
Look for tears, gaps or cuts in the gasket that could cause a dishwasher door leak. To determine if the door gasket is making good contact, try closing the dishwasher door on a dollar bill all the way around the door. If the dollar bill does not stick, there is a gap in the gasket. If the door gasket has any gaps or leaks, replace it. If the door gasket is working properly but the dishwasher is still leaking, check the door hinges. If the hinges are bent, the door will not close properly, creating a gap between the door gasket and the dishwasher. If the hinges are bent, replace them.
F. Dishwasher leaking from motor area
1. Shaft seal
First, try to determine the source of the leak. If the water is leaking from the motor shaft area, the motor shaft seal is likely defective. If the seal is defective, replace it.
4. Pump & motor assembly
See A.6
5. Pump gasket
If the pump gasket is torn, it will allow water to leak under the dishwasher. If the pump gasket is torn, replace it.
6. Sump
See E.2
G. Dishwasher won't start
1. Thermal fuse
The thermal fuse shuts off power to the dishwasher if it overheats. If the thermal fuse blows, it will prevent the dishwasher from starting. To determine if the thermal fuse is defective, use a multimeter to test the fuse for continuity.
2. Door switch
The door switch prevents the dishwasher from running while the door is open. If the door switch is defective, the switch will prevent the dishwasher from running even when the door is closed. To determine if the door switch is at fault, use a multimeter to test the switch for continuity. If the switch does not have continuity, replace it.
3. Door latch
The door latch ensures that the dishwasher door latches shut. If the door does not latch properly, the door switch might prevent the dishwasher from running. If the door latch is broken, replace it.
4. Main control board
See C.2
5. Touchpad & control board
See C.1
6. Timer
The timer allows power to flow to the proper parts at the proper times. If the timer isn’t working properly, it might not send voltage to the dishwasher, causing it not to start. Timers are often misdiagnosed—make sure you check more commonly defective parts before replacing the timer.
H. Dishwasher won't latch
1. Door hinges
If the door hinges are damaged, the door won’t be able to latch properly. Inspect the door hinges for damage. If a hinge is bent or broken, replace it.
2. Door catch
If the door catch is not aligned properly, adjust it as necessary. If the door catch is broken, replace it.
3. Door latch
Inspect the door latch assembly for damage. If the door latch is broken, replace it. The door latch is not repairable—if it is broken, you must replace it.
4. Door strike
Inspect the door strike assembly for damage. If the door strike is broken, replace it. The door strike is not repairable—if it is broken, you must replace it.
I. Dishwasher dispenser does not dispense soap
1. Detergent dispenser
If you don’t want to disassemble the dispenser to replace a part, you can replace the entire dispenser. Additionally, if the dispenser isn’t working and the entire dispenser is worn out, replace the dispenser.
2. Dispense repair kit
If you are not sure which part is defective and you don’t want to replace the entire dispenser, you can try replacing the dispenser repair kit.
14. Main control board
See C.2
J. Dishwasher won't fill
1. Water inlet valve
See E.1
2. Float switch
The float switch actuates in order to prevent the dishwasher from overflowing. If the float switch is defective or stuck, it might not stop the dishwasher from overflowing. If the float switch is defective, replace it.
3. Water supply problem
K. Dishwasher making noise
1. Drain pump
See B.1
2. Circulation pump
See E.5
3. Pump motor assembly
See A.6
5. Wash impeller
See A.7
6. Circulation pump
See A.5
L. Dishwasher overflowing
1. Water inlet valve
See A.2
2. Float switch
See J.2
M. Dishwasher not drying dishes
1. Vent
The vent might not be opening properly. As the dishes are drying, many dishwashers use a vent to let out the hot, steamy air generated during the rinse cycle. If the vent does not open properly, the dishwasher will leave moisture on the dishes. Check the vent to ensure that it is opening properly.
2. Vent fan motor
Some dishwashers use a vent fan motor to help dry the dishes at the end of the cycle. If the fan motor is not working, the dishwasher won’t dry the dishes properly. To determine if the fan motor has failed, test the motor for continuity. Also, try turning the fan blade by hand to ensure that it spins freely. If the fan motor has burned out or the fan blade won’t turn smoothly, replace the vent fan motor.
3. Heat element
See D.1