Hi, I have a NEFF dishwasher with an "optoensor" in the door, to the right of the tablet dispenser. Over the year that thing has become clogged up and I am looking for a way to open and clean it.

SOURCE: Dishwasher tablet not releasing

sounds like the dispenser solenoid is faulty you will need to replace the whole unit, this involves removing the door panel.

SOURCE: neff integrated dishwasher

there are some screws inside the door, around the edge. These would be the first to undo then I think the door would have o be pulled up slightly to relaease.

SOURCE: Neff S5433 Dishwasher - Detergent tablet not dissolving

Hi!

Please run the machine without detergent for 2-3 washes. Also try using a little hot water. Also, don't used cleaner and softener together but add softener on the last rinse.

SOURCE: GE Profile dishwasher with ''SmartDispense'' technology is clogged

I had this problem myself and the purge solution listed above did not work for me. There was just so much gelled and hardened junk in the dispenser container, it would have forever to clean out. Additionally, I think it could have had the chance of damaging the pump. Here is what I did instead:
* Remove power to the dishwasher (via circuit breaker or pull plug under sink).
* Take all dishes and bottom rack out of the dishwasher.
* Close dishwasher door.
* Remove bottom 2 screwbolts with a rachet.
* Open dishwasher door.
* Put a small box that is big enough to hold the panel while the door is opened.
* Remove screws holding inner door to outside panel. Don't remove the screws heading into side of door itself. Also, there are 2 screws near the latch that you don't want to take out...just loosen them and you'll see they don't behave like the other screws.
* The panel will separate from the door, BUT there are 2 ribbon cables connecting them. Have someone hold onto the door...so it won't pull up hard on the ribbon cables.
* GENTLY pull back and forth (side to side) on the white ribbon cable on the door. It will come off with a connector.
* Use a small flathead screwdriver to gently press the tab in on the blue connector and gently pull the blue ribbon cable straight out.
* Remove panel completely and put aside.
* Gently close dishwasher door. It will want to fly up since it doesn't weigh as much.
* Look for a red/green cable from the detergent container (detergent level sensor) and disconnect it.
* Open dishwasher door and take off detergent cap.
* Have someone hold onto the detergent container from the other side and un-twist the detergent locking ring (the item you normally screw the cap into). You can use your hands or put a cloth over it and gently remove with channellock pliers. The detergent container will now be free, but connected to a rubber tube that leads to the detergent dispenser pump. It will easily disconnect by pulling the container away from the tube/pump. The container is now free!
* Shake the living hell out of the detergent container over a trashcan. Mine had tons of white and blue gel in it. Once you remove most of the gunk, bring it under the faucet in the sink and rinse with warm/hot water. Shake, rinse, empty, shake, rinse, empty. The hole where the detergent comes out should be 100% cleaned out. Use the handle of a small paintbrush (or something) to push the hardened gunk out of the hole. Be sure the container is totally cleaned. Take your time on this.
* Put everything back in reverse order. The only thing I did differently is putting the door panel back on the door: Close door, reattach container & cable, bring over panel and re-attach ribbon cables, hang panel on the top two white plastic blocks that you loosened the 2 screws by the latch with earlier. Then screw on the bottom 2 door screws (do not tighten until all screws are put back in place). Put all screws back...don't overtighten.
* Re-apply power and you should see the 'Add detergent' light come on. That's a good sign!!!
* Put in fresh detergent and you should be good to go.
* Lesson learned: DON'T mix enzyme and bleach based detergent ever again!

This was easier than I thought it was going to be...and didn't waste electricity, water, or time based on the purging method. After all, if it is clogged, you can't purge it. Enjoy!

Mark

• 704 Answers
• Posted on Jul 31, 2009

SOURCE: Dishwasher 3 in 1 detergent tablet not dissolving.

I believe that the instructions for using these 3-in-1 tablets is to place it in the open dish detergent cup, rather than in the closable compartment, since the tablet needs to get doused by a lot of water in oder to fully dissolve and be effective in getting the dishes clean.

Since the tablets are designed to dissolve more slowly, they are able to be used for the entire range of washing cycles. If it's a constant problem and you don's have an open detergent cup below or next to your closed detergent dispenser, just toss it into the bottom of the dishwasher instead.

The reason that the tablet isn't getting dissolved fully is because the door is preventing the tablet from dropping all the way out and the door is shielding the tablet from quite a bit of water spray.

Another option is to take a look at your owners manual for the dishwasher and see if they recommend these all-in-one tablets versus regular powered detergent and liquid rinse aid.

Hope that helps and best regards!