Dishwashers

NOISES

Grinding, grating, crunching or buzzing sounds
A hard object has entered the wash module (on some models). When the object is ground up, the sound should stop. Back to top

DISHES ARE DAMAGED DURING A CYCLE

Chipping of dishes
Did you load the dishwasher properly? Load the dishes and glasses so they are stable and do not strike together from washing action. Minimize chipping by moving the rack in and out slowly.

NOTE: Antiques, feather-edged crystal, and similar types of china and glassware might be too delicate for automatic dishwashing. Wash by hand. Back to top

DISHES DO NOT DRY COMPLETELY

Dishes are not dry

Did you load your dishwasher to allow proper water drainage?
Do not overload. Refer to the “Dishwasher
Loading” section in your Use & Care Guide. Use a liquid rinse aid to speed drying.

Are the plastics wet?
Plastics often need towel drying.

Is the rinse aid dispenser empty?
Refer to the “Rinse Aid Dispenser” section in your Use & Care Guide.

Did you use an air-dry or energy-saving dry option?
Use a heated drying option for dryer dishes. Back to top

SPOTS AND STAINS ON DISHES

Spotting and filming on dishes

Is your water hard or is there a high mineral content in your water?
Conditioning the final rinse water with a liquid rinse aid helps eliminate spotting and filming. Keep the rinse aid dispenser filled.

Is the water temperature too low?
For best dishwashing results, water should be 120°F (49°C) as it enters the dishwasher. Refer to the “Dishwasher Efficiency Tips” section in your Use & Care Guide.

Did you use the correct amount of effective detergent?
Use recommended dishwasher detergents only. Refer to the “Detergent Dispenser” section in your Use & Care Guide. Never use less than 1 tb (15 g) per load. Detergent must be fresh to be effective. Store detergent in a cool, dry area. Heavy soil and/or hard water generally require extra detergent.

Is the home water pressure high enough for proper dishwasher filling?
Home water pressure should be 20 to 120 psi (138 to 828 kPa) for proper dishwasher fill. A booster pump on the water supply can be added if pressure is too low.

NOTE: To remove spots and film from dishes, try a white vinegar rinse. This procedure is intended for occasional use only. Vinegar is an acid and using it too often could damage your dishwasher. Back to top

1. Wash and rinse dishes. Use an air-dry or an energy-saving dry option. Remove all silverware or metal items.
2. Put 2 cups (500 mL) white vinegar in a glass or dishwasher-safe measuring cup on the bottom rack.
3. Run the dishwasher through a complete washing cycle using an air-dry or an energy-saving dry option. Do not use detergent. Vinegar will mix with the wash water.

Silica film or etching (silica film is a milky, rainbow-coloured deposit; etching is a cloudy film)
Sometimes there is a water/chemical reaction with certain types of glassware. This is usually caused by some combination of soft or softened water, alkaline washing solutions, insufficient rinsing, overloading the dishwasher, and the heat of drying. It might not be possible to prevent the problem, except by hand washing.

To slow this process, use a minimum amount of detergent but not less than 1 tb (15 g) per load. Use a liquid rinse aid and underload the dishwasher to allow thorough rinsing. Silica film and etching are permanent and cannot be removed. Do not use heated drying.

White spots on cookware with non-stick finish
Has the dishwasher detergent removed cookware seasoning? Re-season cookware after washing in the dishwasher.

Brown stains on dishes and dishwasher interior
Does your water have high iron content? Rewash dishes using 1-3 tsp (5-15 mL) of citric acid crystals added to the covered section of the detergent dispenser. Do not use detergent. Follow with a Normal wash cycle with detergent. If treatment is needed more often than every other month, the installation of an iron removal unit is recommended.

Black or gray marks on dishes
Are aluminum items rubbing dishes during washing? Disposable aluminum items can break down in the dishwasher and cause marking. Hand wash these items. Remove aluminum markings by using a mild abrasive cleaner.

Orange stains on plastic dishes or dishwasher interior
Are large amounts of tomato-based foods on dishes placed in the dishwasher? Stains can gradually fade over time.

Regular use of heated drying will slow fading. Stains will not affect dishwasher performance. Regular use of a rinse cycle and an air-dry or energy-saving dry option will reduce the likelihood of staining. Back to top

DISHES ARE NOT COMPLETELY CLEAN

Food soil left on the dishes

Is the dishwasher loaded correctly?
Refer to the “Dishwasher Loading” section in your Use & Care Guide.

Is the water temperature too low?
For best dishwashing results, water should be 120°F (49°C) as it enters the dishwasher. Refer to the “Dishwasher Efficiency Tips” section in your Use & Care Guide.

Did you use the correct amount of fresh detergent?
Use recommended dishwasher detergents only. Refer to the “Detergent Dispenser” section in your Use & Care Guide. Never use less than 1 tb (15 g) per load. Detergent must be fresh to be effective. Store detergent in a cool, dry area. Heavy soil and/or hard water generally require extra detergent.

Is detergent caked in dispenser?
Use fresh detergent only. Do not allow detergent to sit for several hours in a wet dispenser. Clean dispenser when caked detergent is present.

Is the pump or spray arm clogged by labels from bottles and cans?
If you wash bottles and cans in your dishwasher, check for labels clogging the pump or spray arm.

Is the home water pressure high enough for proper dishwasher filling?
Home water pressure should be 20 to 120 psi (138 to 828 kPa) for proper dishwasher fill. A booster pump on the water supply can be added if pressure is too low. Are high suds slowing the wash arm? Never use soap or laundry detergents. Use recommended dishwasher detergents only

Dishwasher door will not close
Is the bottom rack in backwards? The rack bumpers must face the dishwasher door. Back to top

DISHWASHER IS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY

Dishwasher does not run or stops during a cycle

Is the door closed tightly and latched?
Is the right cycle selected? Refer to the “Cycle Selection Charts” in your Use & Care Guide.

Is there power to the dishwasher?

Has a household fuse blown or circuit breaker tripped?

Has the motor stopped due to an overload?
The motor automatically resets itself within a few minutes. If it does not restart, call for service.

Is the water shut-off valve (if installed) turned on?

Dishwasher will not fill.
Is the overfill protection float able to move up and down freely? Press down to release.

Water remains in the dishwasher
Is the cycle complete?

Detergent remains in the covered section of the dispenser
Is the cycle complete?

Is the detergent lump-free? Replace detergent if necessary.

Is the bottom rack installed properly with the bumpers in the front? Refer to the “Parts and Features” section in your Use & Care Guide. Reinstall the rack if necessary.

White residue on the front of the access panel
Was too much detergent used? Refer to the “Detergent Dispenser” section in your Use & Care Guide.

Is the brand of detergent making excess foam? Try a different brand to reduce foaming and eliminate build-up.

Odour in the dishwasher
Are dishes washed only every 2 or 3 days? Run a rinse cycle once or twice a day until you have a full load.

Does the dishwasher have a new plastic smell? Run a vinegar rinse as described in “Spotting and filming on dishes” in your Use & Care Guide.

Condensation on the kitchen counter (built-in models)
Is the dishwasher aligned with the countertop? Moisture from the vent in the dishwasher console can form on the counter. Refer to the Installation Instructions for more information. Back to top