Troubleshooting Your Dishwasher: Three Helpful Tips
Having your dishwasher stop working can be frustrating, particularly if you are planning a family gathering or holiday party. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the appliance before calling an appliance repair technician. Knowing a few ways to navigate the dishwasher will let you know when you need professional appliance repairs. Here are a few things you can look for when your dishwasher stops working.
Unit Won't Power On
If your dishwasher won't turn on at all, first check to make sure the door is closing all the way. Your appliance won't operate with the door open. If the door is not the issue, check to make sure that there is power available for the dishwasher. In some cases, your breaker may have tripped. This can happen when you have too many appliances operating on the same breaker. You can flip the breaker on and off to test this. You can also check the GFCI outlet your dishwasher is plugged into. You may be able to hit the reset button to get the appliance to power on. If none of these fixes work, you may want to consider calling an appliance repair service.
Tub Won't Drain
After a normal wash cycle, the water in your dishwasher should drain away through your drain hose. If this is not happening, you may have something blocking the drain. Check the bottom of the tub to make sure no silverware, plastic lids or other small items are blocking the flow of water. If your sink is also not draining properly, you may have a clog in your drain. A plumber can help with clogged drains, and your appliance repair person can fix any other sources of an improperly draining dishwasher.
Dishwasher Won't Fill
If you power on your dishwasher but you don't hear any water running, check to make sure the water is turned on. Even a small turn of the water valve can reduce the water flowing to the appliance. If the water valve is on, there may be a blockage in the dishwasher's intake valve impeding your appliance's ability to fill. Shut off the water to the unit and remove the front bottom panel of the dishwasher. You'll need to take the valve apart to determine if there is any dirt or debris caught in the valve. Once you've cleaned it out, replace the valve and turn the water back on.
For more information, contact ASAP Appliance Repair, Inc. or a similar company.