Dishwasher not cleaning dishes

It sounds like two possible problems.
1. A clog in the water system from previous food is restricting the spray pressure of the water.

2. Water pressure pump that provides the spray wands pressure is either stuck or inoperable.
Without spray pressure and the hot water, the food is gonna stay.

Hi

If you are noticing that the dishes are not clean, then there are a few things to check for. Check the soap powder if it's kept in a dry environment. Also try replacing the powder with something like a gel or liquid. Next thing to check for is the water pressure and fill valve. Check if the water is filling in and the spray arms are throwing the water with enough pressure. Try and listen to the sound if you hear a proper spraying action sound.

If it seems as a low water pressure then check the fill valve. Now, check if dishwasher is draining the water or not. While the dishwasher is working check whether the dishwasher is draining and there is not much left out water after the cycle is complete. Try cleaning the spray arm with a soft brush. The water temperature plays a major role in cleaning of dishes. The temp should be between 125 and 150 F for dishwasher to clean the dishes. Hope this helps...

Daniel

There are many probable causes of failure .

A dishwasher's water inlet valve is its most common part to fail. When your dishes are not being fully cleaned, quite often a faulty water inlet valve is to blame. Test your dishwasher's water inlet valve, and if it is no longer functioning as it should, you will have to replace it.

Water temperature is a key element in achieving clean dishes. A dishwasher's heating element is not designed to heat the water that enters it. Rather, the heating element is designed to maintain the heat of the water that enters the dishwasher. Its a good idea to run the hot water in your sink for a couple of minutes before you run the dishwasher. Just to make sure the water is nice and hot before it enters the dishwasher. If the water is unable to stay hot, it can adversely affect your dishwasher's cleaning ability.


There is a filter in your dishwasher. Its function is to keep large particles of food and foreign objects away from the pump. Many of the newly-manufactured dishwashers have self-cleaning filters, and routine cleaning isn't a concern. However, some other dishwashers need to have the filter removed and cleaned regularly. If the filter or grate is clogged or blocked with debris, it may interfere with the normal functioning of your dishwasher

On some models in kitchen aid you must lift off the spray arm and then lift the filter up. It is fastened with spring clips. On other models removing the spray arm reveals screws at the top of the filter housing that need to be removed to get the filter up.

Hi,

I have an older dishwasher also and recently my wife also complained about it not cleaning right... so me being the man I am tried in vain to clean the things... Bought new spray arms online and installed them in minutes...now the thing works like new... However I have also found that if the heating element goes bad then that also can mess things up bad... So I would buy new spray arms, and also check out the heating element to make sure it is working... Here is a tip that will help you with the online buying...

Dishwasher Spray Arms not Spinning

How to Buy Appliance Parts Online

A bad heating element causes many problems in dishwashers...

Dishwasher Problems The Heating Element not Working

Dishwasher Maintenance

heatman101



zzty

Hi Chris,

It sounds to me like a restriction in the pump. I put together some information here on cleaning it out. If you try these please give me some feedback as to if they help or not.

Thanks!
http://www.fixya.com/support/r4628450-poor_cleaning_or_noisy_pump_whirlpool_or

he spray arms are probably clogged with food particles see if you can clen the holes in the arms..Then purchase a bottle of dishwasher cleaner form your local supermarket it works great and cleans all the **** outta your machine make sure you run hot water from tap closest to machine and use it in an empty dishwasher.Follow all instructions on bottle you will be amazed at how clean your dishes will come out with the first wash after the cleaning..cost per bottle is about 8.00

If there is not enough water, the dishes would not get cleaned. This could be caused by a partially closed water shut-off valve (located under the sink), or a faulty dishwasher water valve (located at the bottom of the dishwasher, behind the kick panel, on either side).

Also, There is usually two, sometimes three spray arms in a dishwasher. Make sure there is no debris blocking the holes inside each spray arm.

**Water temperature Note***

To get the best results, the water has to be at 120 degrees Fahrenheit when entering the dishwasher.

Make sure you get water to the dishwasher. Check to see if the water shut-off valve (located under the sink) is open. If you get water to the dishwasher, but there is still no water inside during the fill cycle, the problem might be with a faulty water valve (located at the bottom of the dishwasher, behind the kick panel, on either side), in which case replace the water valve.

If there is not enough water, the dishes would not get cleaned. This could be caused by a partially closed water shut-off valve (located under the sink), or a faulty dishwasher water valve (located at the bottom of the dishwasher, behind the kick panel, on either side).

There is usually two, sometimes three spray arms in a dishwasher. Make sure there is no debris blocking the holes inside each spray arm.

If your dishwasher is a few years old and just started leaving a film on your dishes there is a filter under the bottom adjitator that you have to replace it can't be cleaned jf

ensure spray arm holes are not blocked, the water level is good, the spray of water is strong, it is heating and the tablet is entering the wash, not much else can cause a bad wash. note dishwasher may not always be able to get rid of some coffee stains.