Your dishwasher makes cleaning your dishes a much easier and more streamlined process. However, having a dishwasher that is not working properly can really put a damper on your day and cost you time. That is why it is essential to know what to do when your dishwasher starts to develop issues.
1. Dishes Not Drying
When your dishwasher is done drying, your dishes should be pretty dry. However, if your dishes are still really wet after the cycle, the issue may be a lack of rinse aid. Your dishwasher has a spot where you can add both detergents as well as rinse aid.
However, many detergents now include rinse aid, so many people skip this step. If your dishes are coming out really wet, you should consider using a rinse aid. Rinse aid helps make the water wets and spread out more, which helps prevent hard water spots, and allows your dishes to dry faster, even if you skip the heat cycle.
2. Debris Left on Dishes
When you put your dishes into the dishwasher, you expect them to come out without any food or crumbs stuck to the dishes. If your dishes are coming out dirty, you more than likely have an issue with the filter.
If the filter is removable, you are going to want to clean it. In most dishwasher models, to access the filter, remove the lower dish rack and then remove a cover in the back corner of the dishwasher that protects the filter. Some dishwashers have multiple levels of filters. You can take on this task independently or call an appliance repair person out to clean and potentially replace the filter for you.
3. Dishwasher Not Starting
If your dishwasher is not starting up when you press the buttons, a few things could be the issue. First, check that the circuit breaker is not tripped that connects to the dishwasher and ensure the dishwasher is plugged in correctly and that the plug hasn't been pulled out.
Second, it could be a door latch that isn't working correctly; if the door isn't fully shut, the unit will not start. An appliance repair technician can replace the door latch for you. Third, there could be damaged wiring or electrical issues that an appliance repair person could diagnose and fix for you.
4. Dishwasher Not Filling With Water
Your dishwasher needs water to operate. If your dishwasher is not filling with water, the inlet valve may need to be replaced, or the float switch may need to be replaced. These are both issues an appliance repair person can take care of for you.
Some dishwasher issues you can fix on your own, like using a rinse aid to get your dishes dry. Others, like your dishwasher not starting or not filling with water, will require you to call in a professional appliance repair person. Contact an appliance repair service for more information.