Bosch dishwasher not washing

Common reasons your Bosch dishwasher is not washing

The most common reasons your Bosch dishwasher is not washing are a faulty pump and motor assembly, defective electronic control board or a clogged spray arm.

31% of the time it's the
Pump and Motor Assembly

23% of the time it's the
Electronic Control Board

16% of the time it's the
Spray Arm

30% of the time it's the
Something else

Most common repairs needed to fix a Bosch dishwasher

Pump and Motor Assembly Replacement

A faulty pump and motor assembly is often causing the problem when your dishwasher is not washing the dishes. The pump sends water up through the spray arms to clean dishes during the cycle. When a broken pump impeller or failed motor prevents the pump from working, dishes won’t get sprayed clean. You may hear unusual noises from the pump and motor assembly such as buzzing or grinding when it isn’t working and dishes don’t get clean. Schedule in-home repair through Sears Home Services to have a technician visit your home and fix the dishwasher when a faulty pump is apparent.

How to replace a dishwasher pump and motor assembly

Electronic Control Board Replacement

A dishwasher that is not washing could have a defective electronic control board. The control board will freeze up and fail to send current to the wash motor when its internal memory and logic is corrupted. A failed internal electronic relay or bad electronic part on the circuit board could be causing the control board to freeze up and not continue working properly. Determining whether a control board is defective is difficult. Have a Sears Home Services technician diagnose and repair your dishwasher when it won’t wash.

How to replace a dishwasher electronic control board

Spray Arm Replacement

A clogged spray arm can prevent water from reaching dishes when the dishwasher is not washing dishes properly. Hard water deposits or debris can build up around the spray arm holes so water won’t spray out of the spray arm properly. The spray arm also won’t spin properly if spray holes are clogged. When your dishwasher won’t wash the dishes properly, have a Sears Home Services Repair Expert visit you home and examine the dishwasher. The technician will clear clogs in the spray arms to fix the cleaning problem.

How to replace a dishwasher lower spray arm

What to expect when you experience a Bosch dishwasher not washing issue

How is the not washing problem fixed?

Correcting most not washing problems usually involves replacing the pump and motor assembly, electronic control board or spray arm. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.

Sears Home Services recommendations for a dishwasher that is not washing

When the dishwasher is not washing it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of dishwasher failures.

What to look out for with a dishwasher not washing diagnosis

Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your dishwasher problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.

Troubleshooting a Bosch Dishwasher Not Washing Well

When your Bosch dishwasher is not washing well, check for items blocking the spray arms. Load dishes according to the guidelines in the owner’s manual to prevent blocking spray arm rotation.

Check for deposits and debris blocking spray arm holes and remove any media in the spray arm holes using a bamboo skewer or similar item.

Check water temperature by running tap water at the sink for 2 minute and filling a glass with the hot tap water. Measure the temperature of the water in the glass. You should measure near 120-degrees Fahrenheit. If water temperature is less than 110-degrees, adjust the water heater setting slightly to increase water temperature. Don’t make large adjustments in the water heater setting to prevent scalding.

If these troubleshooting tips don’t help with your Bosch dishwasher not washing well, schedule dishwasher repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician visit your home and fix the dishwasher.

What our customers say about us

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Thorough

James called to give an estimated arrival time. He was professional and personable. He had 2 professional ideas of the problem and found 1 was correct, but he didn't stop there. He did a thorough check of the appliance. 1 small part was needed. He ordered the part to my house. Fortunately, he was able to schedule for the next week, just before Thanksgiving. As before, he called ahead, arrived and quickly fixed the problem. My appliance is working perfectly.

Kirsten A, Oxford, PA

Service Call

Luke was great. Polite and knowledgeable even though the dishwasher was older than he!

James G, Hillsboro, MO

Daniel

Daniel went above and beyond to fix my dish washer. Very pleasant to deal with.

Paul F, Hghlnds Ranch, CO

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Glossary Terms

What is Hard Water?

Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. It contrasts with soft water, which has lower concentrations of these minerals.

What is a Furnace?

A furnace is a major appliance that heats air distributed throughout a home or building via a ductwork system.

What is a Furnace Blower Motor?

A furnace blower motor is a crucial component of a home heating system that drives the fan responsible for circulating air throughout the HVAC system and into the living spaces of the home.

What is a Furnace Condensate Pump?

A furnace condensate pump is a device installed in HVAC systems, particularly high-efficiency furnaces, to collect and automatically remove the water (condensate) produced during the heating process.