The detergent dispenser won't open and we have a housefull of guests arriving tomorrow mornng. Help! (We are using liquid detergent so dispenser is not stuck with powder.)

May want to try liquid detergent instead. Sometimes using too much detergent will prevent the dispenser from opening and then the soap turns into a wet glob in the dispenser.

Hello,
Yes the detergent and softener will stay in the dispenser drawer until the correct time for them to be dispensed. The detergent is dispensed during the main wash cycle and the softener will not dispense until the rinse cycle

It should be okay to use dry bleach, if you follow the instructions on the bleach. Some bleaches require dissolving in water first, others can be used dry.

Try starting a cycle without using detergent at all. If the dispenser opens, you just need to use powder detergent because the tablets are too big for the dispenser. If it still doesn't work, replace the dispenser. Go to the link to see how to take the door apart and replace the dispenser.

http://www.appliancerepairlesson.com/2011/01/29/dishwasher-soap-cup-dispenser-replacement-dishwasher-repair/

Good luck

www.ApplianceRepairLesson.com

Yes you can use liquid detergent, If your's is a high effeciency machine, use HE detergent. It cleans as well, but makes less suds, which can cripple a front loader. Alternative HE detergents can be made at home,if you're interested. They can be either liquid or dry. You can find the recipes on YouTube, with the search set to "Homemade Laundry Detergent". We make the dry version, and it works better than anything we can buy. It costs us .02 cents per load.
Back to your question, though. If you intend to use liquid detergent, look into your dispenser and see if there is a moveable divider that you can change for liquid or dry detergent dispensing. Set it to the appropriate setting if it does. If not, use very little detergent, and you may have to add it directly to the load, skipping the dispenser altogether. Another thing that you might consider is that, if you ever have to have any warranty type work done, and the tech discovers that you have used liquid detergent, they will want to void your warranty.

Best regards, --W/D--

Detergent goes in the drum with the clothing, fabric softener in the middle of the agitator, the drawer is for delayed start if using soap powder

this is joyce
You need to call who ever you bought it from and tell them the problem that you are having, I have the same set and I am not having that problem at all. I love my set, just be sure to use the he detergent, or you will have problems that the manufactr will not help with.
thanks,
Dont overload machine the clothes wont smell clean.
joyce

Is water left in the dispenser at the end of the cycle?
About two tablespoons of water remaining in the dispenser compartment at the end of the cycle is normal. At the end of the wash cycle, fresh water automatically cleans the dispenser. Check that the cycle is complete before opening the dispenser drawer.
Is the dispenser drawer clogged?
A clogged dispenser can block the flow of water through the dispenser and cause water to leak out. Manually remove the dispenser, and clean any leftover detergent or additives that could clog the flow of water through the dispenser. Also, check that the detergent drawer is always completely closed during the cycle. If the drawer is not closed completely, water can leak out onto the floor.
Are the additives dispensing too early?
Here are a few things that can cause the additives (detergent, fabric softener or liquid chlorine bleach) to dispense early:

• Check that the dispenser is not overfilled. Do not fill past the MAX fill lines on the dispenser. Overfilling can cause early dispensing of liquid chlorine bleach and/or fabric softener.
• Check that the detergent separator is in the correct position. For liquid detergent, the separator should be in the front position. For powdered detergent, the separator should be in the rear position. If the separator is in the rear position while you are using liquid detergent, it will dispense immediately, which is not how it is designed to work.
• Use powdered HE detergent when using the DELAY WASH option. Liquid detergent may dispense prior to the start of wash.

Are the additives dispensing too late?
The additives will not dispense until the proper time if the DELAY WASH option is selected.

You can try from the inside the drawer, eventually try using a screwdriver to unclog it.

switch back to using powdered soap, sometimes what happens is hte tablets your using are actually to big for the dispensor door and too much pressure is put againt the actual door so when its triggered to open there too much resistance nad cannot open, sounds silly bu have actually sen it in action. and liquid detergent tends to clog or gunk up hte door spring assy, powdershte best detergent to use for d/w's