A dishwasher in the kitchen means you save time and effort. Rather than wasting your evening doing dishes in the conventional manner, picture just loading the dishes into the system to clean them. Easy, right?
But what do you do when your machine isn’t filling with water? Never mind as in most cases, the cure is actually a lot easier than what you’re envisioning. Here, we’ll list the most common offenders and what you could do to correct them.
12 Possible Reasons Why Dishwasher Not Filling With Water
It's fun to mix up pie filling, make your family's favorite pasta dinner, and experiment with a new cake recipe. It gets more exciting if you have a dishwasher to clean up the mess afterward.
This leaves you extra time to focus on what you are making. No doubt, many home cooks call the appliance their best kitchen friend.
But as it is a machine, sometimes it may not work. One typical problem is the dishwasher not getting water. Keep in mind that in a few instances, you may need to call a professional, however other problems can be resolved by you.
If you examine your dishwasher, you'll see a flexible tube that carries wastewater away from the appliance. This is the drain hose. It is typically connected to a nearby drain, such as a garbage disposal or sink.
Look closely to see if the hose is bent or incorrectly looped. This can create an obstruction or blockage that prevents water from flowing freely. This can cause the machine to fill slowly or not at all.
The loop at the end of the drain hose should be positioned at a height recommended by the dishwasher's user manual or local plumbing regulations -typically above the floor or subfloor- to prevent siphoning.
How To Fix
At first, you need to locate the drain hose. It's usually at the back of the appliance.
Disconnect the hose carefully from the drain or disposal inlet.
Make sure the loop at the end of the hose is at least 20 inches above the floor or subfloor.
Lastly, reattach the hose to the drain or disposal inlet. Make sure it's secure.
Think of the water supply valve like a tap for your garden hose. If it's closed, no water can flow through. It's the same for your dishwasher. The valve controls the water going into the machine.
When it's closed, the dishwasher can't get any water to clean your dishes.
How To Fix
Look under your kitchen sink. You should see a pipe or hose going to your dishwasher.
There should be a handle or knob on the pipe. This is your water supply valve.
If the handle is across the pipe (perpendicular), it's closed. Turn it so it's in line with the pipe (parallel). This opens the valve.
Run your dishwasher to see if it's getting water now.
Still having trouble? Check if there's any water dripping from the valve or connections.
If you see leaks, get a wrench. Put a bucket under the valve (just in case) and gently tighten any loose connections.
Turn it on. If a stream of water is weak you might have a blockage.
Look closely to check the water pressure -is it low? Or let's say you can't fix the problem, don’t hesitate to call a pro.
Perhaps, you already know that if the dishwasher door is open or closed poorly, the device’s start operation is impossible. This is a protection feature, as water could spill out and make a big mess on your floor. And no one wants that!
Normally, if you see a flashing START/RESUME indicator light, it suggests that this is the issue.
How To Fix
Look at your dishwasher door. Is it completely closed?
When you shut the door, you should hear a click. This means it's properly latched.
Sometimes a big pot or pan can stick out and stop the door from closing. Make certain nothing is in the way.
Give the door a firm push to ensure it's absolutely closed. Press the START or RESUME button.
If you notice a mild flashing, it might be telling you the door is not closed. Check the manual to understand what the lights mean.
Open and close the door a few times. It should move smoothly and latch easily.
If the door does not close on its own and needs to be shut manually then the problem can be the faulty latch. Check if you can see any obvious damage.
4. Obstructed Overfill Protection Float
The primary role of the overfill protection float is to ensure your dishwasher does not turn into a swimming pool for your dishes!
Here's how it works: When the water level reaches too high, a float mechanism rises and alerts the dishwasher to cease filling, stopping overflow. But if something's stuck on it, it can't complete its job.
How To Fix
Open your dishwasher door and find the float. It's usually in the front right corner. Look for a small plastic dome or cylinder.
Try moving the float up and down. It should move easily.
Is there any food, grime, or broken dish pieces stuck around it? If you see anything stuck there, carefully clean it out. Use a cloth or soft brush if needed.
After cleaning, try moving the float again. It should bob up and down smoothly.
Make sure you didn't accidentally knock anything else loose while cleaning.
The water inlet valve is the part of your dishwasher that controls hot water coming into the device. What if it gets clogged? The appliance won't get the water it requires to wash the dishes properly.
Dirt, food particles, or hard water buildup can all cause blockage. When this takes place, the valve fails to open and allow water to flow through.
Keeping this valve clear is crucial for the dishwasher to feature well.
How To Fix
In every case, the first and important thing you must do is to turn off your device.
Check at the bottom left inside your dishwasher. They are pretty much like an object that would like a small box with a hose attached.
Check for any obvious goop or buildup around the valve.
Get a clean, soft cloth and gently wipe around the valve. Be careful not to push any dirt further in.
Use your flashlight to look into the mouth of the valve. Can you see any blockages?
If you see something, try to carefully remove it.
Some valves have a little screen. If yours does, make sure it's clean too.
You must put everything in the way you found it. Plug it back in then turn it on and run a cycle.
6. Electronic Control Malfunction
Sometimes, the electronic controls, the brain behind the operation, need a bit of a reboot. Often even the usual wear and tear or electrical power surges may cause malfunctions of your machine's electronic control.
At such time it develops some problem in its control system to start, to stop or to run it as how it is planned.
How To Fix
Try unplugging the appliance for a bit (5-10 minutes). A simple reset can sometimes do the trick.
Plug it back in and run a cycle. Now, check if the water flows properly.
If water still doesn’t enter, there may be other problems like a faulty valve.
If the issue persists, it's wise that you contact a technician for further help.
The printed circuit board (PCB) is the control board or module. Its function is to ensure that the machine can run its program and display the relevant information (if it is a display circuit board).
If the module malfunctions, you would possibly end up with equipment that cannot be used, as the program settings can also emerge as unreliable or stop running altogether.
Diagnosing a defective PCB may be intricate, in particular if there’s no apparent visible signal of the problem. And in maximum cases, the only solution is to replace it to get your device running properly once more.
How To Fix
First things first, unplug the dishwasher before starting.
Next, lower the dishwasher door. Look for screws that secure the outer panel to the inner panel.
Remove these screws and carefully detach the outer panel.
Find the screws holding the control panel in place. Unscrew and remove the control panel.
The PCB is usually located behind the control panel. It's a flat, circuit-board-like component.
Look for any visible damage, such as burnt components, cracks, or loose connections.
If you find damage, you will probably need to replace the PCB.
Note: Replacing a PCB may be complex and might require technical expertise. Consider consulting an expert technician if you're uncertain.
The filter's job is to catch food bits and other stuff that comes off the dishes during washing. It stops these items from going again onto the dishes or clogging up the pipes.
If the filter gets too full of meal bits and gunk, it cannot do its job properly. Water can't flow through it easily anymore. This means the dirty water from the last wash cycle might not drain out completely.
If the dirty water is not drained with the usual washing, there is no space where clean water can be added for the washing for the next round. The dishwasher must release the water before it begins the next cycle.
How To Fix
Once you turn off the appliance, open its door. Next, pull out the bottom rack.
Find the filter, in most models, at the bottom of the dishwasher. It usually looks like a circular piece you can twist out.
Take the filter out. There might be two parts - a flat piece and a cylinder.
Rinse the filter parts under warm water. Use a gentle brush to softly scrub off any stuck-on food or gunk.
Look in the area where the filter sits in the dishwasher. Clean out any food bits or debris you notice there.
Put the clean filter back in place. Twist it to lock it in. Then, put the bottom rack at its place in the dishwasher.
Plug the dishwasher back in and run an empty cycle to ensure everything's working proper.
There are a few ways how water leakage can keep your dishwasher from getting water. The water that seeps through the base settles on a shallow pan. When the pot reaches a certain level, an anti-flood switch is triggered into operation.
This switch tells the dishwasher to pump out water and stop filling. It's a protection feature to prevent flooding your kitchen.
You would possibly hear the dishwasher trying to pump out water, but it won't fill up once more. This happens because the anti-flood switch is active. The device thinks it's preventing a flood, so it won't let new water in.
How To Fix
Unplug the dishwasher.
For the next step, tip the dishwasher slightly to drain excess water.
Check for holes or damage inside the dishwasher. You're trying to find where the leak might be coming from.
Look for error codes: The display might show codes that tell you what's wrong. Check your manual to understand what they mean.
Identify the leaking part. It may be a hose, a seal, or something else.
If you discover something broken, you will need to update it.
Cover all the area with towels so that no stains of water remain. Make sure the whole thing is dry before you turn the power again on.
Once the entirety is dry and fixed, you may reconnect the power.
10. Faulty Drain Solenoid
The drain solenoid controls a valve that lets water out of your dishwasher. When it's working right, it opens to let dirty water out after a wash cycle. Then it closes so the machine can fill up with clean water for the next cycle.
But if the drain solenoid breaks, it might get stuck open. This approach the dishwasher continues draining water as opposed to keeping it.
When this happens, your dishwasher cannot take the water it requires to wash your dishes automatically. It might possibly sound like it is running, but it's not actually washing anything because there may be no water inside.
How To Fix
It's typically near the bottom of the dishwasher.
Check if you could see any obvious damage.
If you've got a multimeter, you may test if the solenoid is working.
If it's broken, you will want to replace it. You can buy a new one from an appliance parts store.
Take out the old solenoid and put inside the new one. Make certain it's connected well.
Plug the dishwasher again in and run a test cycle.
The spray arm spins around, shooting water to wash everything within the dishwasher. But if it gets clogged up with meal bits or gunk, it cannot do its job nicely.
When the spray arm is blocked, water can't pass through it freely. This can trick your dishwasher into thinking it is not getting sufficient water.
So, your dishwasher may keep looking to get extra water, thinking it does not have sufficient. But in actual, the water's simply not getting where it needs to go.
How To Fix
Open up your dishwasher and find the spray arm. It's usually at the bottom.
Pop that spray arm out. It must come off pretty effortlessly.
Take a good look at it. Can you see any gunk or food caught within the little holes?
Rinse it underneath warm water and give it a gentle scrub with an old toothbrush.
Check those holes again. If they are still clogged, you might need to poke them clean with a toothpick or twine.
Once it's all sparkly clean, put the spray arm back in place. Finally, run a test wash!
12. Kinked or Blocked Hose
Think of a garden hose - if you step on it or it gets twisted, the water can't flow through. The same thing happens with your dishwasher's water supply hose.
The hose brings in all of the fresh water to clean your dishes. But if it gets kinked or blocked, water can't get through. Then your dishwasher is left high and dry, trying to wash dishes without any water!
How To Fix
Find the water supply hose. It's usually a bendy tube connected to the back of your dishwasher.
Look for any twists, kinks, or squished parts. Straighten out any bends you find.
If it looks clear, turn off the water supply and disconnect the hose. Time to check for any hidden clogs inside.
Run some water through the hose into a bucket. If it flows freely, you're in the clear! If not, you might need to replace the hose.
When To Call A Professional
Not every time can you fix the machine yourself, as sometimes it's not a minor issue but a major one. In such cases, trying harder to repair the dishwasher yourself could lead to further damage.
Here, we discuss instances when you should call an expert:
You've tried the basics and nothing works. If you've checked the water supply, door, and inlet valve, but still no luck, it's time for expert help.
You hear strange noises. Grinding, clicking, or humming sounds when the dishwasher tries to fill mean something's wrong inside.
Not comfortable with DIY repairs? If taking apart the dishwasher makes you nervous, don't risk it.
The problem keeps coming back. If you fix it and it breaks again soon after, there's likely a bigger issue.
You can't find the cause. Sometimes the problem isn't obvious. Pros have special tools to figure it out.
Your dishwasher is old. Older models might need expert handling to avoid causing more damage.
The day you install a dishwasher, the work to ensure its right use begins. Not following the recommendations of the guide and carelessly handling the tool leads to its malfunction.
You should regularly clean the dishwasher. Along with this follow the given tips to extend the health and keep your dishwasher running well:
Scrape dishes before loading. Remove large food particles to prevent clogs.
Once a month, run an empty cycle with a cup of white vinegar. This is to clean and deodorize the interior.
That spinning arm at the bottom? Make sure it can twirl freely. Give it a spin with your hand now and then. If it's stuck, it can't do its job.
Toss a lemon peel on your subsequent wash. It'll leave your dishes glowing and your dishwasher smelling fresh. Who would not love that citrus zing?
Avoid overloading. Leave space between dishes for water and detergent to flow into.
Run your sink's hot water before starting the dishwasher. This ensures the machine starts with hot water, not cold leftovers from the pipes.
Use the right amount of detergent. Too much can leave residue on dishes.
Check the door seal regularly. A loose or damaged seal means leaks, and nobody wants a splash zone in their kitchen.
More soap doesn't mean cleaner dishes. Too much can leave a filmy residue. Follow the instructions.
