Dishwasher Salt dispenser not filling with water and keeps asking to be refilled with salt after every wash

A lot of dishwashers do not have salt dispensers. If it does, the salt is added to a container which has a lid on the base (floor) on the inside under the bottom basket. Unscrew the lid and add the salt. Use normal pool salt. It is the same as "special dishwasher salt" that you pay a lot for. When full, the salt will last for 12 to 18 months. Most machines that have a salt container, also have a warning light on the panel to let you know it needs refilling. Dishwasher tablets do not add salt to the machine. Make sure you wipe up any salt that you may have spilt on the base of the machine, it will stain or rust the cabinet.

I feed Danby dishwasher salt whenever he asks (buy it by the case online). Still produces marginally clean dishes.

sounds like the sault filter has broken. it is in the base at the bottom its a thin plastic filter type. will need to be changed.

The top light is apparently to indicate that the salt (!) has run out.

The bottom light is apparently to indicate that rinse aid has run out.

For the record, that seems to be a Zanussi DE-6854 dishwasher, and I found the manual here: (link)


"Special salt can be added in one of two ways: 1) If you are using dishwasher detergent that already contains salt, the detergent including the salt is placed in the detergent compartment. - In this case the water softener must manually be set to 1 and electronically to 1 to ensure that the special salt is taken from the detergent container only. 2) If you are using dishwasher detergent and salt separately, the special salt is to be put into the salt container. - In this case the water softener must manually be set to 1 or 2 and electronically between 1 and 5 (depending on the water hardness in your area) to ensure that the special salt is taken from the salt container only. Only use salt specifically designed for use in dishwashers. All other types of salt not specifically designed for use in a dishwasher, especially table salt, will damage the water softener. Only fill with salt just before starting one of the washing programmes. This will prevent any grains of salt or salty water, which may have been spilt, remaining on the bottom of the machine for any period of time, which may cause corrosion." (Page 6)

"Only use branded rinse aid for dishwashers. Never fill the rinse aid dispenser with any other substances (e.g. dishwasher cleaning agent, liquid detergent). This would damage the appliance." (Page 7)

The manual also explains how to turn the Rinse Aid light off permanently if you do not wish to use rinse aid.



Good luck!

the salt dispenser is always full of water, this is normal and you have no need to drain it. Just ensure you fill the dispenser with salt when the "Low Salt Light" is illuminated

Check water quality. clean the drain filter in the machine. Check spray arm spray jet holes. Clean if clogged.

If you suspect salt chamber try removing all the salt by flushing with water externally. Refill with fresh salt.

There is a white plastic circular screw lid in the bottom of the dishwasher washing unit marked salt. Unscrew this and add as much salt as needed so that you can feel it when you put your finger down the hole. This could be quite a bit, perhaps a kilo.

try stirring the water in the salt container. however, as long as you renew the salt now and again, it doesn't matter

run a few times with nothing in the machine on full washes it may be that the salt you are using is not suitable for that machine also check that you have the machine plumbed into the hot water outlet.

Thanks J

Check the instructions which are freely available from www.miele.co.uk or the relevant site for your country. Browse to the current models and you should find the PDF for your model. For non-current models, instructions are under the link "Customer Support".

In general, the instructions are as follows:
If the water in your area is very soft and constantly lower than 0.7 mmol/l (4 °d) you do not need to add dishwasher salt. The water softener must, however, still be programmed to correspond to the water hardness level in your area. (The salt indicator light will still come on, but should be ignored).

Important: Before filling the salt reservoir with dishwasher salt for the first time, you must fill it with approx. 2 litres of water to enable the salt to dissolve. Once the dishwasher has been used, there is always sufficient water in the reservoir.

Inadvertently filling the salt reservoir with powder or liquid dishwasher detergent always leads to serious damage to the water softener. Make sure you have picked up the correct packet of dishwasher salt before filling the salt reservoir!

Only use special coarse grained dishwasher salt for reactivation. Do not use other salts such as cooking salt, agricultural grade or gritting salt. These may contain insoluble additives which can impair the functioning of the water softener.

To refill:
* Remove the lower basket and unscrew the salt reservoir cap.
* Fill the reservoir with approx. 2 litres of water (first use).
* Place the funnel provided over the salt reservoir and carefully fill with salt until the reservoir is full. The salt reservoir holds approx. 2 kg of salt depending on the brand used.

As the salt reservoir is filled, displaced water will overflow.
* Clean any excess salt from around the reservoir opening and then screw the cap on again firmly.
* Run the "Pre-wash" programme immediately to remove any traces of salt water from the cabinet.

For the Miele, the salt reservoir is usually under the bottom basket, the cap is usually grey in colour. [Only the latest models have the refill cap in the door itself].

You should be able to find dishwasher salt just about anywhere, I've even found it in Malaysia, sold at good ol' Tesco!! Brands of salt include Calgonit (Finish) & Somat.