How to Fix a Dishwasher That’s Not Working (and When to Call a Pro)

The 4 Most Common Dishwasher Problems (and What to Try First)

1. Dishwasher Not Draining

Standing water at the bottom of the tub after a cycle is the most common complaint. A small puddle (under an inch) is actually normal; the pump leaves a bit behind to protect the seal. A full tub of dirty water is not.

Check these first:

The filter. Pull out the bottom rack and twist out the cylindrical filter at the base of the tub. On most modern dishwashers (Bosch, Miele, KitchenAid, Samsung) this is a self-service part. Rinse it under warm water and scrub out any debris. A clogged filter alone causes the majority of draining issues and takes 2 minutes to fix.

The drain hose. Trace the drain hose from the back of the dishwasher to where it connects at the sink cabinet, either to a garbage disposer or directly to the drain. Check for kinks. If you recently had a new garbage disposer installed, confirm the knockout plug was removed at the dishwasher inlet. This is a frequently missed step.

The air gap. If you have a chrome dome fitting on your sink deck near the faucet, that’s your air gap. Unscrew the cap and clean out any buildup with a stiff wire or bottle brush. A blocked air gap will back dirty water up through the vent.

If the water still won’t drain: the drain pump or drain valve may be faulty. This requires disassembly and is best handled by a technician. Call 911 Appliance Repair at 647-334-7733 for same-day service in Barrie, Innisfil, and Bradford.

2. Dishwasher Not Filling With Water

If the machine runs through a cycle but the dishes come out dry and dirty, it’s not getting water.

Check these first:

The water supply valve. Open the cabinet under your sink and locate the hot water shut-off valve connected to the dishwasher supply hose. Make sure it’s fully open (turned counter-clockwise). It sometimes gets bumped closed during unrelated plumbing work.

The float switch. Open the dishwasher and look for a small plastic dome or cylinder near the front of the tub floor. Lift it up and let it drop. You should feel it move freely. If it’s stuck in the raised position, the dishwasher thinks it’s already full and won’t fill. Clean around the float tube and make sure it moves up and down without resistance.

The water inlet screen. The inlet valve (behind the kick plate at the bottom front of the unit) has a small mesh screen that catches sediment. Hard water is common in Barrie and Bradford, and this screen can become partially blocked over time. Turn off the water supply, remove the kick plate, and inspect the screen. Rinse it clean if you can access it.

If the dishwasher still won’t fill: the inlet valve solenoid, pressure switch, or main control board may be the cause. These require a multimeter and part replacement. Book a service call at 647-334-7733.

3. Dishwasher Won’t Start at All

No lights, no sounds, nothing. Or the panel lights up but pressing Start does nothing.

Check these first:

The door latch. Most dishwashers will not start unless the door is fully latched and the door switch is engaged. Push the door firmly closed and listen for the click. If the latch feels loose or the door doesn’t close flush, the strike plate may need a slight adjustment.

The GFCI outlet. The dishwasher is often plugged into a GFCI outlet under the sink (the outlet with the test/reset buttons). If that outlet tripped, the dishwasher has no power. Press the Reset button on the outlet and try starting the dishwasher again.

The circuit breaker. If the GFCI isn’t the issue, check your home’s electrical panel for a tripped breaker labelled “Dishwasher.” Flip it fully to Off, then back to On.

Control lock. Many modern dishwashers have a child lock or control lock feature that disables all buttons. Check your model’s manual. Usually holding one button for 3 seconds unlocks it.

If it still won’t start: a faulty door switch, defective control board, or wiring issue is likely. These are not safe to diagnose without proper tools. Call 647-334-7733 for same-day dishwasher repair in Barrie and surrounding areas.

4. Dishes Not Getting Clean

The dishwasher runs a full cycle but dishes come out with food residue, film, or spots.

Quick fixes to try:

• Check water temperature. Your hot water heater should be set to at least 49°C (120°F). Run the kitchen tap until hot before starting the dishwasher to ensure the fill cycle draws hot water from the start.
• Clean the spray arms. Pull off the upper and lower spray arms and rinse them under the tap. Use a toothpick to clear any clogged spray holes. Buildup in hard water areas can reduce spray pressure significantly.
• Use the right detergent amount. With hard water (common in Simcoe County), you may need a rinse aid and a higher-quality detergent. Pods outperform powders in most cases.
• Don’t overload. Overcrowding blocks spray coverage. Plates face inward, glasses go upside-down in the upper rack, and nothing should nest inside other items.
• Clean the filter (see Section 1 above).

When DIY Is Not Enough

Some dishwasher repairs aren’t safe or practical to do yourself:

• Any repair involving the pump motor or drain pump (requires disassembly and replacement of internal components)
• Leaking door seals or tub (water damage risk if not fixed correctly)
• Control board or wiring issues (electrical hazard)
• Recurring error codes such as E1, E3, E24 on Bosch (need a diagnostic tool to interpret correctly)

If you’ve worked through the checks above and the problem persists, it’s time to bring in a technician. 911 Appliance Repair Services is based in Innisfil and provides same-day dishwasher repair across Barrie, Bradford, and the surrounding Simcoe County area. We service all major brands including Bosch, Miele, Samsung, LG, Whirlpool, KitchenAid, GE, Maytag, and Thermador.

📞 Call or text: 647-334-7733