Wahing powder compartment

Even in my limited experience, "the powder dispenser does not open during the wash cycle" is a very common problem... and the most common solution is to ignore the design of your machine, and the manual for it, and just throw the powder or colour or whatever into the main body of the machine, not the compartment that doesn't open.

I see how that's wholly counter-intuitive and I've seen it work for several different washers...

Do you mean the dishwashing powder? You can drop the tablets or measured powder into the bottom of the dishwasher. Try adding 1/4 cup of vinegar to the long wash cycle to maintain a clean dishwasher and make the dishes sparkle.

Read these instructions carefully before
beginning the TUB CLEAN cycle.
1
Open the door and remove any clothing in
the wash drum.
2
Open the dispenser drawer.
3
Add liquid chlorine bleach or tub cleaner.
Some powder or tablet tub cleaners which
are manufactured for this purpose can be
used.
(NOTE : Do not add any laundry detergent
or fabric softener to the drawer when using
TUB CLEAN.)
- If using liquid chlorine bleach
Add liquid chlorine bleach to the bleach
compartment of the drawer.
(NOTE : Do not exceed the maximum
fill line and do not pour undiluted liquid
bleach directly into the wash drum.)
- If using powder cleaner
Remove the liquid detergent cup and
add powder cleaner to the main wash
compartment of the drawer.
- If using tablet cleaner
Add tablet cleaner to the wash drum
directly.
(NOTE : Do not add tablet cleaner to the
drawer.)
4
Close the drawer and washer door.
5
Select TUB CLEAN and press START.
NOTE : It is recommended that TUB CLEAN
should be repeated monthly.
If mildew or musty smell already exists, run TUB
CLEAN for 3 consecutive weeks.
After TUB CLEAN is complete or when the washer
is not used, leave the washer door open for better
ventilation and drying inside of the washer

The dishwasher will develop a smell due to bacterial growth in the machine. Thoroughly clean the lower section of the washing compartment, where the water drains to the pump, removing all metal plates etc.Once you have ensured that no trapped foodstuffs etc are present, reassemble the machine parts.
Pour 2 cups of white vinegar into the washing compartment and run the machine on a washing cycle empty and do not add any soap powder. Run the machine for a couple of washes thereafter and check whether the smell has been eradicated, if not repeat the above procedure.

Hi,
There are three common problems that cause the Soap Dispenser or Cup not toopen. I have a tip that will explain these problems in detail....

Dishwasher Repair Problem Detergent Cup does not Open

heatman101

Just flush it out by pouring plenty of water into the receptacle. You don't have to get every last trace out. Make sure to wear rubber gloves and possibly eye protection as the powder is caustic and so you need to avoid skin and eye splashes.

You could alternatively leave the salt chamber cap off and run the dishwasher empty for a couple of cycles; that will allow the powder to dissolve without any chance of you getting splashes on your skin.

Detergent compartment
Add liquid or powdered detergent to this compartment for your
wash cycle. The detergent separator must always be in place,
either in the front or back position.

Do not fill beyond the “MAX” level.

Liquid or powdered color-safe bleach may be added to the
Main Wash compartment along with the same type of
detergent, liquid or powdered.

Liquid detergent: Put the SEPARATOR in the front position,
between the guides, as shown as shown by Position 1 below.
There will be no gap between the bottom of the wash cycle detergent
compartment and the bottom of the separator.

Powdered detergent:
Put the SEPARATOR in the back
position, behind the guides as shown by Position 1 below. There will be
a gap between the bottom of the wash cycle detergent
compartment and the bottom of the separator.


NOTE: The separator will be in the POWDER (back) position
when shipped from the factory.

By far, especially on water/energy conserving dishwashers like the LDS5811, the most common reason for poor cleaning on a dishwasher that has been working well is the household has switch detergents from a name brand to an ultra cheap powder. Usually, switching back to high quality powder (e.g. Electrosol) your problems go away.
If that does not fix the problem after two loads, do this: Start the empty DW (with no detergent added) and open the door after the hot water has begun flowing in. Open the door and add up to two cups of white vinegar. You can use the quick cycle.
Use the dishwasher normally.
If problems continue, open the jetdry compartment and dial it down to a lower number.
Get back to me with what works best for you. There are more draconian solutions if these fail you.
Good Luck!

The soap dispenser drawer is supposed to open during the cycle. Try first to understand if the drawer is opening or not during cycle.

If the drawer is not opening, then check if the opening mechanism is stuck, if it is blocked by dirt and soap, if it is broken, or if something, for examble a basket too close to dispenser drawer is preventing the drawer from opening.

Some dishwasher works only with powder, in that case indications are given on the owners manual.

If the drawer opens and the table, or powder is still staying stuck in the drawer, then that means that the spray does not have enough power to solve the tablet.
In that case check spray arms and impeller pump.Also check water temperature.

If the problem is also happening with powder, then it is probably a drawer not opening on cycle.

sounds like a blocked pump or pump line is blocked. you will need to check these and also clean out the spinners. not using a dishwasher can do more damage to them as there is long periods for the systems to dry. this cause a build up of food particles. using a cleaning agent for the dishwasher can help stop the build up.