Common dishwasher problems & how to solve them

From leaks to cold water and noisy dishwashers, we’ve put together a handy guide to diagnose what might be going wrong with your machine.

Having cover in place before a problem develops is important, so you know you’re protected in the event of an appliance breaking down due to mechanical or electrical breakdown or suffering accidental damage.

If you have appliance cover with Home Emergency Assist, we can help if one of your registered appliances (including common kitchen appliances such as your dishwasher, washing machine, or air fryer) breaks down. However, there are some simple checks you can do yourself before you call an expert.

Check for leaks

• Make sure you’re not overloading on the detergent. Too much will leave a soapy residue in the detergent tray

• Check that your dishes are stacked properly. Overloading or poor stacking could be the cause of the problem. Make sure you’re not cramming too much in the machine and that all items are in the trays correctly

• Look around the door seal to check for wear and tear. If so, check your manual to find out the correct part number to order a replacement

• Make sure the pipes are connected correctly and still in good condition

Not draining

A little water left in the tub is normal, but if there seems to be more than usual, check the following:

• Check that the drain hose isn’t damaged

• Make sure your drains aren’t blocked

• If neither of these solve the problem, you may need a new pump. Check your owner’s manual for information on replacing the pump

Not filling

If you’ve noticed that your plates are coming out dry and dirty, your machine isn’t filling with water:

• Check under the sink and make sure the hot water valve is open fully

• If this is the case, check your owner’s manual to see if you can access the water inlet valve. This may be clogged up and need clearing out

• If you’re still having trouble, you’ll need to call in appliance engineer

Not washing

If your plates are still dirty after a cycle, it may be due to poor loading:

• Make sure your plates are loaded correctly; if not, they may be blocking each other, meaning that water and detergent won’t reach them

• You can try adding more detergent, but if this doesn’t help, you may need to call in an appliance engineer

Excessive noise

• When the machine is cold, look around inside for any hard objects such as stray knives, forks or food debris and remove from the machine

• Make sure the unit is on an even surface

• If your machine is making a thumping noise, your water inlet valve may need a replacement

 Want to protect your appliances with insurance for mechanical and electrical breakdown plus accidental damage? Cover everything from washing machines, to ovens, air fryers and smart tech. Get a quick, free quote online to keep life running smoothly. Or explore our full range of plans, including boiler and heating, plumbing and drainage, or complete home emergency cover for total peace of mind.