Dishwasher Troubleshooting
Dishwasher Not Cleaning Properly
Easy DIY Difficulty
Common Symptoms
If you're experiencing any of these issues, this guide can help:
- Dishes come out dirty or spotty
- White film on glassware
- Food particles remaining on dishes
- Cloudy glasses
- Detergent residue on dishes
Possible Causes
Hard water mineral buildup (very common in Arizona)high likelihood
Clogged spray armshigh likelihood
Dirty filterhigh likelihood
Water temperature too lowmedium likelihood
Incorrect loadingmedium likelihood
Faulty water inlet valvelow likelihood
Safety Warnings
- •Run garbage disposal before starting dishwasher
- •Check for broken glass before cleaning filter
DIY Troubleshooting Steps
Tools needed: Toothpick or small brush for spray arms, Dishwasher cleaner, White vinegar
- 1
Clean the filter assembly (usually at the bottom of the tub)
- 2
Inspect and clean spray arm holes - Arizona hard water clogs them frequently
- 3
Run a dishwasher cleaner or vinegar cycle to remove mineral buildup
- 4
Use rinse aid to combat hard water spots
- 5
Verify water heater is set to at least 120°F
- 6
Check that dishes aren't blocking the spray arms
- 7
Scrape (don't rinse) dishes before loading for optimal detergent performance
When to Call a Professional
Contact a qualified technician if:
- Cleaning doesn't improve after maintenance
- Water doesn't seem to enter the dishwasher
- Standing water remains after cycles
- Unusual noises during operation
- Error codes on display