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Dishwasher Repair Guides
Troubleshooting and how-to guides for your dishwasher, written from manufacturer instructions. Start with the easiest check in each guide and stop where it says to call a pro.
- 10 guides
- Safety notes in every guide
- Checked against manufacturer sources
- Dishwasher Not Filling With Water? Valve, Float and Line Checks
A dishwasher that won't take in water usually has a shutoff valve under the sink that's closed or only partly open, a kinked supply line behind the toe kick, or something wedged under the float in the front corner of the tub.
- How to Reset a GE Dishwasher: Start Pad, Breaker and 999 Fix
On most GE dishwashers, pressing and holding the Start or Start/Reset pad for 3 seconds cancels the cycle, and the machine pumps out its water before it shuts off.
- How to Reset a Bosch Dishwasher: 4-Second Cancel and Breaker
To reset a Bosch dishwasher, press and hold Start (or the button marked Reset 4 sec, or On/Off on newer models) for about 4 seconds.
- How to Clean a Dishwasher Filter (and How Often to Do It)
The filter sits in the floor of the tub under the bottom spray arm.
- Dishwasher Won't Start? Latch, Lock, Delay and Power Checks
When a dishwasher won't start, the door usually isn't latched, the control lock is on, or a delay start timer is counting down.
- Dishwasher Smells Bad? How to Find the Source and Get Rid of It
A dirty filter is behind most dishwasher smells: food and grease rot in the mesh at the bottom of the tub.
- Dishwasher Not Drying? Rinse Aid, Settings and Real Fixes
An empty rinse aid dispenser is the most common reason dishes come out wet, followed by a dry setting that uses no heat.
- Dishwasher Not Draining? 7 Fixes to Try Before Calling a Pro
A clogged filter, a garbage disposer that needs clearing (or a new one with its knockout plug still in), a blocked air gap or a kinked drain hose cause most drain problems.
- Dishwasher Not Cleaning Dishes? 9 Causes and Real Fixes
Dirty dishes usually trace back to a clogged filter, spray arm holes plugged with debris, water that isn't hot enough, or loading that blocks the spray.
- Dishwasher Leaking? 7 Causes, From the Door Gasket to the Hoses
Leaks out the front of the door usually come from the wrong detergent (dish soap makes suds that push past the seal), a torn or dirty door gasket, or a dish blocking the door.