Portable Dishwasher Not Getting Water Flow

I have an old portable dishwasher that hasn't been used in some time (came with the rent house). The landlord showed me how to use it (hook up to the faucet, turn the water on, plug in the washer and turn it on--I've gotten that far). The heating element works (burned myself good) but no water is getting to the washer. It just sits there making a grinding noise and begins to smell like something is burning. I believe that is the powdered soap sitting on the heating element getting burnt. The hose connected to the faucet seems to be on there right and not much water is escaping from it, but I don't know where it's going. Any reason it might not be getting any water?