KitchenAid dishwasher not washing

Why is my KitchenAid dishwasher not washing?

When your KitchenAid dishwasher isn’t getting your dishes clean, the problem could be as simple as how you load the dishwasher, water that's not hot enough or a clogged filter. An inadequate water fill level, clogged or damaged spray arms and a problem with the circulation pump can also keep your dishes from getting clean.

This comprehensive troubleshooting video covers all of these topics and more:

How to load the dishwasher for proper cleaning

Loading the dishes correctly helps the dishwasher clean them properly.

• Angle heavily soiled dish surfaces downward and leave enough room between the dishes to allow water to reach all sides.
• 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.
• Make sure that spray arms spin freely after loading the dishwasher and don’t block the detergent dispenser lid.

Find more tips for loading your dishwasher properly and efficiently in this helpful video:

Select the correct cycle

After loading the dishes, select the correct cycle for the type of dishes that you're washing. A quick or normal wash cycle cleans most dishes well, but that cycle won't clean dirty pots and pans.

Choose a heavy wash or a pots and pans cycle to clean really dirty cookware.

If your dishwasher has a high-temperature setting, choose it for better cleaning. The dishwasher will heat the water to higher temperatures, and do a better job of melting grease off dishes. It will also dissolve detergent better, improving cleaning performance.

Refer to your owner's manual for information about the cycles and options on your dishwasher.

Check the filters for clogs

Clogged dishwasher filters interfere with water flow, which can cause poor cleaning performance.

Remove and inspect your dishwasher filters monthly. You can clean the filters by holding them under running tap water.

Remove dirt or hard water deposits using a soft bristle brush. Scrub the filters whenever you see soil or residue building up on the screens or if dishes feel gritty and you see food particles after the cycle finishes.

Check the spray arms for cracks and clogs

Dishes won't get clean if the dishwasher can’t spray them thoroughly with water.

First, check the spray arms for cracks or damage. A cracked spray arm won't rotate and spray correctly. Replace the spray arm if it’s damaged.

If the spray arm isn’t cracked, check the spray arms for clogged openings. Hard water deposits and food debris can clog these holes.

Clear the spray holes with toothpicks or a bamboo skewer.

For severe clogs, remove the spray arms following the instructions in the owner’s manual and clean them in the sink. Use a toothbrush and a bamboo skewer to remove clogs, and soak them in white vinegar to help remove hard water deposits.

Rinse the spray arms thoroughly and reinstall them.

If hard water deposits frequently block your spray arm holes, we recommend cleaning your dishwasher once a month with Dishwasher Magic or Affresh dishwasher cleaner.

Check the water fill level

If your spray arms are okay, the next thing to check is the water level.

Start a cycle with the dishwasher empty and allow the dishwasher to fill with water–which should take about 2 minutes. When you hear the water stop filling or the pump start running, you know the dishwasher is finished filling.

Open the dishwasher door slightly to stop the cycle. When the cycle stops, open the door fully and check the water level in the tub.

The water level should be close to the bottom of the mushroom-shaped float. If your dishwasher isn’t filling, or the water level is far below the float, you’ve likely found the problem.

Check out this video to see troubleshooting tips for a fill problem in your dishwasher.

Check the water temperature

If your water level is all right, check your water temperature. Your water must be at least 120 degrees to clean efficiently, even if you use the high-temperature cycle.

To check the water temperature, run the hot water from your kitchen sink faucet for 1 minute and then fill a glass with hot water. Measure the water temperature in the glass using a cooking thermometer.

If the temperature is less than 120 degrees, carefully increase the temperature setting on your water heater. Make small, incremental increases and don't set your water heater temperature above 120 degrees. That should protect you from burns in the bath or shower.

Continue following the troubleshooting tips in the video to find the cause of the cleaning problem. If you don’t find the solution to the cleaning problem on your own, schedule dishwasher repair service and we’ll have a Sears Home Services technician visit your home and address the problem.

What to expect when you experience a KitchenAid 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 Kitchen Aid Dishwasher Not Washing

When your Kitchen Aid dishwasher is not washing, check for clogged filters in the sump of the dishwasher. The dishwasher filters in the sump filter out food and debris during the dishwashing cycle. If those filters are clogged, water won’t circulate well through the spray arms to clean the dishes. Remove the filters and clean them thoroughly according to the guidelines in the owner’s manual for your Kitchen Aid dishwasher.

If the water filters are okay, check the water fill level. Start a cycle and wait until you hear the dishwasher stop filling. Crack the dishwasher door open to stop the dishwasher and then open the door fully. Look at the water level at the bottom of the dishwasher tub. The water level should be just below or barely touching the bottom of the heating element. If the dishwasher isn’t filling properly, follow these troubleshooting tips:

• Check the water supply cut-off valve to make sure it is fully open. Open that valve fully if you find it partially shut.
• Check the water fill line for a kink and reposition the water line to remove the kink if necessary.
• Unplug the dishwasher and check the water inlet fill valve for debris or deposits in the inlet screen. Have the water inlet fill valve replaced it the inlet screen is clogged. Cleaning that screen can allow debris to enter the valve body which can cause the valve to stick partially open and flood your kitchen. Replacing the entire valve assembly is the best way to resolve a clogged inlet screen on the water inlet fill valve.

If these basic troubleshooting tips don’t help you resolve the problem with your Kitchen Aid dishwasher not washing, schedule dishwasher repair service to have a Sears Home Services technician visit your home and fix the washing problem.

How to Fix a KitchenAid Dishwasher Not Washing the Top Rack

In many KitchenAid dishwashers, a diverter assembly shifts circulation pump water flow from the bottom spray arm to the upper spray arm during the washing cycle. A small motor rotates a disc to uncover the path of water through the tube going to the top spray arm. If the motor fails, the top spray arm will never get water to wash dishes in top rack. Switches attached to the diverter assembly monitor the position of the diverter disc so the control can detect the position of the diverter disc.

When the diverter stops working, the electronic control board will signal an error code on the control panel. You’ll see the F9E2 or F9E3 error code on the control panel when the diverter fails. When you see the F9E2 code, the electronic control board is not likely sending electrical current to the diverter so a service technician will typically need to replace the electronic control board. The disc on the diverter will often need replacing when you see the F9E3 error code.

Clogged spray arm holes in the upper spray arm can also prevent the dishes in the top rack from getting clean. Check the upper spray arm holes for deposit or debris. Clean the spray arm holes using a bamboo skewer or similar tool so water flows through the holes properly.

When you need KitchenAid dishwasher repair, trust the pros at Sears Home Services to fix the problem.
If your KitchenAid fills but doesn’t actively spray water, a failing pump or blocked spray arm typically needs fixing. Half-cleaned loads defeat the appliance’s purpose. Instead, trust dishwasher service repair near me.