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

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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

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.

How to replace a dishwasher pump and motor assembly

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.

How to replace a dishwasher water valve

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.

How to replace a dishwasher electronic control board

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.

Repair Dishwasher Resources

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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.

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A furnace switch, also known as a safety switch, is an essential component of your heating system, ensuring it operates safely under all conditions by serving as a power shutoff mechanism.

What is Wattage?

Wattage is the measure of electrical power expressed in watts (W), indicating the rate at which a device consumes energy.

What is Refrigerant?

Refrigerant is a chemical compound used in HVAC systems and refrigerators to absorb heat from the environment by cycling through states of evaporation and condensation, enabling the cooling process through its cycle of evaporation and condensation.