Appointment Lookup
646-440-2692
Dishwasher not cleaning bottom rack
Common reasons your Dishwasher not cleaning bottom rack
The most common reasons your dishwasher is not cleaning the bottom rack are a faulty pump and motor assembly, clogged water valve or a defective PCB (printed circuit board).
31% of the time it's the Pump and Motor Assembly
23% of the time it's the Water Valve
16% of the time it's the PCB
30% of the time it's the Something else
Schedule your dishwasher repair now!
We can help! Our service technicians have repaired over 35,000 dishwashers. We can fix yours no matter where you bought it.
Most common repairs needed to fix a dishwasher
Pump and Motor Assembly Replacement
When the dishwasher is not cleaning the bottom rack, it's probable that a faulty pump and motor assembly isn't generating sufficient water pressure and flow through the water delivery system to rotate the spray arms and disperse the spray. You might notice loud noises like buzzing or grinding emanating from a faulty pump and motor assembly. If your dishwasher becomes noisy and fails to clean the dishes effectively, it's advisable to have a Sears Home Services Repair Expert inspect your dishwasher and address the issue.
Water Valve Replacement
If debris or deposits clog the fill valve inlet screen, it might not allow enough water into the dishwasher to fill properly, leading to low water level. You might notice loud noise from the circulation pump when the dishwasher isn’t filling with water. If debris or deposits stop the water valve filling the dishwasher all the way, turn off the water supply to the dishwasher and arrange for a Sears Home Services Repair Expert to replace it.
PCB Replacement
When your dishwasher isn't cleaning the bottom rack, it might be due to a faulty PCB (printed circuit board). When the board's internal memory and logic are corrupted, it can fails to send electric current to the circulation pump to properly clean dishes in the bottom dishrack. A malfunctioning relay or electronic component on the PCB board could be the culprit behind this issue. Assessing the board's condition can be challenging. To address this problem, schedule a visit from a Sears Home Services technician to diagnose and fix your dishwasher when it's not working.
Why is my dishwasher not washing the bottom rack?
Clogged spray arm holes, improper loading and a blocked spray arm are the leading causes of a dishwasher not washing dishes in the bottom rack.
How to load the dishwasher for proper cleaning
Follow the dish loading guidelines in your owner’s manual to ensure proper washing of dishes.
Here’s a popular and helpful video that shows how to properly load a dishwasher and avoid washing problems:
When loading your dishwasher, make sure the dirtiest part of the dish faces down so it gets direct spray from the spray arms. Place dishes with concave surfaces—like the bottoms of coffee mugs—at an angle on the dishrack to allow water to drain easier and improve drying. Always check that all spray arms spin freely before you start the dishwasher cycle.
Remove labels from jars and bottles before loading in the dishwasher, or hand wash these items because the labels can fall off during washing, clogging the screens and pumps inside the dishwasher.
What to put in the top dishrack
The top rack is best suited for cups, glasses and lightweight plastic items. Place cups and glasses in the rows between tines—not over them, which can cause glasses to break.
Put all your plastic dishes and storage containers on the upper rack—some plastics can melt if they’re too close to the heating element at the bottom of the dishwasher tub.
Wedge the lids of storage containers between the tines and a glass to prevent the lids from coming loose and falling to the bottom of the tub. Or, use no-flip clips to hold lids or larger plastic items such as cups, bowls or storage containers, in place during washing. These clips fit the tines on most dishwasher model, regardless of brand. Order plenty of clips and use them to keep all your plastic items in place.
Larger cooking utensils also should go on the upper rack, with spoons facing down so they don’t collect water.
What works best in the bottom dishrack
Follow these expert tips for loading the bottom rack:
- The bottom dishrack is best for plates, pots, pans and casserole dishes.
- Glasses and mugs that don’t fit in the top rack also should go here.
- Load plates with the dirty side facing the center, with enough room between each plate to let water reach both sides.
- Angle pots, pans and casserole dishes with the dirty surface facing down. If your dishwasher is a Kenmore with TurboZone spray jets, face heavily soiled dishes toward the TurboZone jets and select the TurboZone option for the cycle.
- You can load bowls in either rack, but you usually need to load larger mixing or serving bowls in the bottom rack if they're too big for the top rack.
- Load taller items like cookie sheets on the outer edges of the bottom rack, making sure not to block the soap dispenser. If a cookie sheet or other item is too tall, see if you can raise the upper rack using the buttons or knobs on the side of the rack. If all else fails, you can release the rail clips and pull the upper dishrack completely out to wash multiple tall items in the lower dishrack.
Follow these loading tips to help your dishwasher get your dishes as clean as possible and keep them damage-free.
Expert Tips for Resolving Dishwasher Cleaning Problems
This helpful video provides a comprehensive guide to help you resolve cleaning issues in your dishwasher (including not cleaning dishes in the bottom rack):
Follow the expert tips in this video for:
- Proper loading.
- Choosing the correct cycle and settings.
- Checking the dishwasher filters for clogs.
- Checking spray arms for cracks and clogs.
- Making sure the dishwasher fills with water properly.
- Measuring water supply temperature going to the dishwasher.
- Troubleshooting detergent dispenser problems.
- Using rinse aid.
By using this advice, you can make sure that the dishes in the bottom rack and throughout your dishwasher get clean during every cycle.
If your dishwasher still won’t clean the bottom rack after following all of these troubleshooting tips, schedule dishwasher repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the washing problem.
What to expect when you experience a dishwasher not cleaning the bottom rack
Expert tips for resolving a problem with your dishwasher not cleaning the bottom rack
Fixing a dishwasher not cleaning the bottom rack typically involves replacing the pump and motor assembly, water inlet valve or the electronic control board. However, there may be other issues preventing dishes on the bottom rack to get clean, so a full diagnosis is essential to fixing the problem. In some dishwashers, a clogged or broken spray arm can inhibit cleaning of dishes on the bottom dishrack. Getting an accurate diagnosis by a repair technician is essential to fixing the problem right.
Our advice for fixing a dishwasher not cleaning dishes in the bottom rack
Cleaning problems at the bottom of the dishwasher can stem from loading problems or damage to the lower spray arm. Check your owner’s manual for proper dish loading instructions and make sure the spray arm isn’t blocked by dishes. Look for damage to the lower spray arm and have a service technician replace that part if it’s damaged. Having this problem professionally fixed by an appliance repair expert will ensure that the issue gets fixed efficiently and permanently.
Fixing a dishwasher that is not cleaning dishes in the bottom rack
To fix a dishwasher that’s not cleaning dishes in the bottom dishrack, our Sears Home Services technician will start by thoroughly checking the bottom spray arm for damage or clogged spray arm holes. If the tech finds no problems with the spray arm, further diagnostic tests will be performed to check the pump, diverter and other components in the dishwasher that can cause the cleaning issue. Once the cause if found, the technician will repair or replace parts needed to fix the problem. Our experienced Sears Home Services technician will be able to quickly find and fix the cause of cleaning problem no matter what type of dishwasher you have.
If the bottom rack emerges grimy, weak water pressure or blocked spray arms might be missing that lower area. Don’t keep re-washing those plates—book dishwasher technician.
What our customers say about us
With more than 1.3 Million 5 Star Reviews, you don't have to take our word for it
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Repair Dishwasher Resources
Is your dishwasher not draining water? Learn 7 easy fixes for clogs, pump failures & more.
Learn how to drain a GE dishwasher with our step-by-step guide. Keep your dishwasher running smoothly with our expert tips.
Find out why your dishwasher won’t turn on and get expert tips from Sears Home Services to fix the problem.
If the dishes in your dishwasher are no longer getting clean, it could be the spray arm is clogged.
Glossary Terms
A dishwasher end panel is a finishing piece installed on the exposed side of a dishwasher, primarily when it is at the end of kitchen cabinetry, to ensure a seamless and aesthetically pleasing look in the kitchen.
A dishwasher diverter motor controls the direction of water flow to different spray arms within the dishwasher, ensuring optimal water distribution during each wash cycle for thorough cleaning.
A dishwasher drawer is a compact, space-saving kitchen appliance designed to clean dishes efficiently, resembling a standard kitchen drawer that slides out for easy loading and unloading.
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.