It’s a big deal when a kitchen appliance that you use regularly, like the dishwasher, starts acting up. It could be a problem with the latch that keeps the door tightly shut or user error like neglecting to use a rinse aid. Before you start shopping around for a replacement, see if the appliance can be fixed at a reasonable price instead. The list below details some of the most common dishwasher problems and what to do about them.
I’ve been there—loading up the dishwasher, expecting sparkling dishes, only to find something’s off. It’s frustrating, but not every issue means it’s time to say goodbye to your machine. Let’s break down these signs and what you can do before calling in the pros or splurging on a new model. Plus, I’ll share a few extra tips I’ve picked up over the years to keep your dishwasher running smoothly or help you decide when it’s truly time to upgrade.
All the Food Particles Don’t Come Off the Plates
Dirty plates are a sure sign of a dishwasher’s demise, right? Not necessarily. “If you experience a degraded wash performance after a good performance, then it’s very likely that filters need to be cleaned,” says Adam Hofmann, director of engineering for Advanced Dishwasher Systems at GE Appliances. “Filters are very easy to remove from the dishwasher and should be cleaned in the sink.” The frequency of cleaning is dependent on the soil level that you put into the dishwasher, he says. Check your user manual for cleaning directions on your specific model.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve overlooked the filter, thinking my dishwasher was on its last legs. Turns out, a quick scrub can work wonders. Food buildup in the filter is super common—especially if you’re like me and don’t always scrape every last bit of spaghetti sauce off the plates. Cleaning the filter every couple of months can extend your dishwasher’s life significantly. Also, consider running a cleaning cycle with a dishwasher-specific cleaner, like Affresh, once a quarter. Studies show that regular maintenance can improve wash performance by up to 20%, keeping your dishes spotless without needing a costly repair.
The Glasses Are Clean but Look Cloudy
What causes a glass to appear dirty when it’s just been cleaned? The culprit is likely your water’s high mineral content (often called “hard water”) that builds up on your glasses. Try this remedy from Martha: Soak the glasses in plain white distilled vinegar for 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Hard water is the bane of my existence—my glasses looked like they’d been through a sandstorm until I tried the vinegar trick. It’s cheap and works like a charm. If you’re dealing with persistent cloudiness, you might want to test your water hardness. Kits are available at hardware stores for under $15. If your water is on the harder side (above 7 grains per gallon), a water softener might be worth considering. Not only will it save your glasses, but it can also prevent mineral buildup in the dishwasher itself, potentially extending its lifespan by a couple of years.
The Door Doesn’t Latch
Despite your attempts to make the latch stay in place, it just won’t, which means the dishwasher fails to turn on (which is a good thing because it avoids flooding your kitchen). The solution may be simple: Check that the door racks aren’t protruding; also check that you’ve loaded the dishes correctly and they aren’t stacked too high. If those fixes don’t help, you may have to replace the latch.
I’ve had a moment of panic when the dishwasher wouldn’t start, only to realize a poorly placed pot was blocking the latch. It’s such an easy fix, but if the latch itself is broken, don’t sweat it too much. A new latch typically costs $20-$50, and if you’re handy, you can replace it yourself with a YouTube tutorial in under an hour. If the problem persists even after a new latch, it might be a sign of deeper electrical issues. At that point, weigh the repair cost—often $100-$200—against a new dishwasher, especially if your model is over 10 years old.
The Dishes Never Dry
You may have to change your drying style: Unload the bottom rack first instead of the top rack because water from dishes in the top rack may be spilling into the bottom rack without you realizing it. Also, check that dishes aren’t nesting together. And always keep the rinse agent dispenser full.
I used to unload the top rack first, and my plates were always wet—such a rookie mistake! Switching the order made a big difference. Also, don’t skimp on rinse aid; it’s like magic for drying. If you’re still getting wet dishes, check the vent or fan system, as a clogged vent can trap moisture. A quick fix is running a cycle with a higher heat setting if your model allows it. According to energy studies, using a rinse aid can reduce drying time by up to 30%, which not only saves you hassle but also cuts down on energy costs.
There’s Standing Water in the Dishwasher at the End of a Cycle
“The most common cause is a clogged drain line or air gap,” says Hofmann. “This can be easily cleaned and should be the first thing to be checked. If there’s a drain-pump motor problem, then this issue can also be resolved relatively easily.” If the unit is connected to Wi-Fi, the problem can be analyzed much more accurately than units that are not connected, he says.
Standing water is such a gross surprise when you open the dishwasher door. I’ve dealt with this by checking the air gap (that little cylinder on your sink) and giving it a good clean with a toothbrush. It’s usually a five-minute fix. If that doesn’t work, a clogged drain line might be the issue, which you can often clear with a plumber’s snake or a mix of baking soda and vinegar. For Wi-Fi-enabled models, I love how you can get diagnostics sent to your phone—it’s like having a mechanic on speed dial. Persistent issues might mean a pump replacement, which can run $150-$300, so compare that to the cost of a new unit.
The Dishes Are Cold Immediately After the Cycle Ends
If you open the dishwasher door and can touch the dishes without feeling like you’ve scorched your fingers, you’ve got a problem. “This is likely an indication that the heater is not working properly,” says Hofmann. “It doesn’t always mean a costly fix—it can be just that the heater is unplugged.”
Cold dishes are a dead giveaway something’s wrong. I once found out my dishwasher’s heater was just unplugged after a repair guy charged me $75 to “diagnose” it—lesson learned! Check the heater connection first, but if it’s truly broken, a replacement heater can cost $50-$150. If your dishwasher is older, though, a new model might be more energy-efficient. Modern dishwashers use about 3-5 kWh less per cycle than models from 15 years ago, which can save you $50-$100 a year on utility bills. So, if repairs are piling up, it might be time to invest in a new one.
