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Dishwasher not washing
Common reasons your dishwasher not washing
The most common reasons your dishwasher is not washing are a faulty pump and motor assembly, defective electronic control board or a clogged spray arm.
35% of the time it's the Pump and Motor Assembly
23% of the time it's the Electronic Control Board
10% of the time it's the Spray Arm
32% of the time it's the Something else
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Common dishwasher repair parts you may need
Replacing one of these dishwasher parts may fix your problem.
Pump and Motor Assembly Replacement
When your dishwasher isn't washing dishes properly, it's often due to a faulty pump and motor assembly. This part pumps water up through the spray arms to clean the dishes during the cycle. If the pump impeller is broken or the motor fails, the pump won't work, and the dishes won't get cleaned. You might hear strange noises like buzzing or grinding from the pump and motor assembly when it's not working right. To fix this issue, schedule a repair with Sears Home Services to have a technician come to your home and repair the dishwasher if a faulty pump is suspected.
Electronic Control Board Replacement
When your dishwasher isn't washing, it might be due to a faulty electronic control board. This board can freeze up and stop sending power to the wash motor if its internal memory or logic gets corrupted. Problems like a failed relay or malfunctioning electronic parts on the board could cause it to freeze up. Figuring out if the control board is defective can be tricky. To resolve this issue, it's best to have a Sears Home Services technician examine and repair your dishwasher when it's not washing properly.
Spray Arm Replacement
If your dishwasher isn't washing dishes well, a clogged spray arm might be to blame. This happens when hard water deposits or debris block the holes in the spray arm, preventing water from reaching the dishes. When the holes are clogged, the spray arm can't spin properly either. To solve this issue, you can schedule a visit from a Sears Home Services Repair Expert. They'll come to your home, check your dishwasher, and clear any clogs in the spray arms to make sure your dishes get clean.
What to expect when you experience a dishwasher not washing issue
Fixing a dishwasher not washing problem
Repairing most issues with dishwashers not washing properly often requires replacing the pump and motor assembly, electronic control board, or spray arm. However, because there could be various reasons for the problem, it's crucial to conduct a thorough diagnosis to pinpoint the issue accurately. Getting an accurate diagnosis is vital for understanding the cost of the repair.
Sears Home Services provides solutions for a dishwasher that is not washing
If your dishwasher isn't washing dishes properly, several factors could be causing the issue. To prevent replacing unnecessary parts, we advise having a Sears Home Services professional conduct diagnostic tests to determine the exact cause of the problem. Our technicians are skilled at identifying various types of dishwasher failures.
What to look for when diagnosing a dishwasher not washing
Diagnosing issues with modern appliances can be challenging without the right expertise and training. Attempting to fix your dishwasher problem without employing proper diagnostic methods often leads to replacing parts based on guesswork. Over the past decade, appliances have become highly advanced, with many incorporating intricate electronic components that are hard to assess. As a result, DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are growing more complex.
Filling but never pumping water onto dishes suggests a dead circulation motor or jammed spray assembly. That yields half-clean plates. Instead of repeating cycles, see dishwasher repair service near me.
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Repair Dishwasher Resources
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If the dishes in your dishwasher are no longer getting clean, it could be the spray arm is clogged.
Glossary Terms
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.
A dishwasher filter is designed to trap food particles, debris, and other residues during the wash cycle to prevent them from redepositing on dishes and clogging the drain.