Dishwasher Not Cleaning Dishes? Check These 6 Things First

When a dishwasher starts leaving food behind, most people assume the machine is dying. In practice it is usually a blocked filter, a clogged spray arm or a loading habit, all of which you can fix in an afternoon.

1. Clean the filter

Almost every dishwasher has a removable filter in the base of the tub. Food collects there and the machine ends up recirculating dirty water. Twist or lift it out, rinse it under running water, and scrub it with a soft brush.

2. Check the spray arms

Spin each spray arm by hand; it should turn freely. Look at the small holes along it. Hard water scale and food particles block them, so water never reaches the top rack. Clear each hole with a toothpick and rinse the arm.

3. Look at the water inlet

A dishwasher needs enough hot water to dissolve detergent. Run the kitchen tap until it is hot before starting a cycle, and confirm the water supply valve under the sink is fully open.

4. Use the right detergent and rinse aid

• Old or damp detergent loses power. Use fresh pods or powder.
• If glasses look cloudy, refill the rinse aid. If they look filmy in hard water areas, add dishwasher salt if your model uses it.
• Too little detergent leaves residue; too much leaves foam and film.

5. Loading matters

Large items can block the spray arms, and nested bowls shelter food from the jets. Face dirty sides toward the centre, keep tall pans away from the arm, and do not crowd the racks.

6. Run a cleaning cycle

Once the filter and arms are clean, run an empty hot cycle with a dishwasher cleaner or a cup of white vinegar on the top rack to remove grease and scale.

When it is something else

If dishes stay dirty after all that, a failing circulation pump, a faulty inlet valve or a heating element problem may be the cause. The AI can help you describe the sound and symptoms to a technician. Show your dishwasher.

Frequently asked questions

Why are my glasses cloudy?

Cloudy glasses usually come from hard water, too little rinse aid or too much detergent. Refill rinse aid and try a vinegar cleaning cycle.

How often should I clean the dishwasher filter?

Rinse it about once a month, or more often if you do not scrape plates first.

Can I use vinegar in my dishwasher?

A cup on the top rack in an empty hot cycle can reduce scale and grease, but never mix vinegar with bleach.