Without a doubt, dishwashers make our lives so much easier. So, I don’t blame you if you’re distressed over your Whirlpool dishwasher not washing all of a sudden!
You’re surely wondering why your dishwasher isn’t cleaning your soiled dishes. You’ll find all the answers to your questions in this article, including its causes and solutions.
Why is my Whirlpool dishwasher not washing my dishes properly?
Your Whirlpool dishwasher isn’t washing your load because of water supply issues, clogged sprays and filters, incorrect loading, or broken components.
An old and outdated model is also prone to wash cycle malfunctions. If your dishwasher is close to 10 years old, it’s time to get a brand-new model.
But if you’re experiencing problems with the water supply and machine’s parts, learn how to make your Whirlpool dishwasher wash properly again here.
How to Fix a Whirlpool Dishwasher that’s Not Washing [Causes and Solutions]
If your Whirlpool dishwashing machine suddenly throws a tantrum and leaves your dishes dirty, you can proudly say that you’re well-equipped to fix it!
Just follow this guide step-by-step to identify and properly address your dishwasher’s washing issues.
| Causes | Solutions |
| Insufficient water supply | • Disconnect your Whirlpool dishwasher from the power source. • Locate the water inlet valve, which is typically found at the bottom of the dishwasher. • Ensure that the water inlet valve is fully open by twisting it clockwise all the way. • Reconnect the dishwasher to the power source. • Turn it on to run a wash cycle again. |
| Clogged spray arms | • Turn off the dishwasher and unplug it from the power source before opening it. • Open the dishwasher door and look for the spray arms at the bottom and top of the dishwasher. • Inspect the spray arm nozzles closely for any dirt or debris clogging them. • Unscrew to remove any dish rack components to access the spray arm.Next, twist or unscrew the spray arms to remove them. • Wash the spray arms under running water. • Get a brush and soap to remove the dirt clogging the nozzles. • Rinse the spray arms with clean water to remove any remaining detergent and dirt. • Reattach the spray arms back to their respective places in the dishwasher. • Return the dishwasher racks. • Plug in the dishwasher to the power source and turn it on. |
| Dirty or clogged filters | • Open the dishwasher door and remove the dish racks first. • Find the filters at the bottom of the dishwasher. • Check for food particles and residue. • Remove the filters from their compartments by simply lifting them up. • Remove any buildup by rinsing them under warm, running water and brushing them with soap. • After cleaning the filters, place them back into their compartments. • Put the dish rack back as well. Close the dishwasher door and turn it on. |
| Incorrect loading | • Stop the current wash cycle and turn off your dishwasher. • Check if you’ve overloaded your dishwasher. • There should be enough space for water and soap to spread evenly on the dirty dishes. • Reduce the load. Remove the big items first. • Next, rearrange the remaining load and make sure they’re evenly distributed on the rack. • Close the dishwasher door and start the cycle again. |
| Broken wash motor | • Turn off and unplug your dishwasher. Then, turn off your water supply to avoid leaks. • Remove the dish racks first by unscrewing them or simply pulling them off from their rails. • Rotate the wash arm at the bottom clockwise to remove it. • Unscrew the spray tube attached to the back of the dishwasher’s interior. • Remove it as well and set it aside. • Lift and remove the filters at the bottom. • Unscrew and remove the access panel cover that’s located outside and below the dishwasher. • Remove the water tubes, drain pump, and turbidity sensors by twisting them clockwise or counterclockwise. • Pull out any wires connected to them but remember the placements for reassembly later. • Unscrew the motor to remove it. Replace it with a new wash motor. • Install the new motor assembly by screwing it in place. • Reattach the pump, water tubes, and turbidity sensors. • Reconnect the wires. After that, put the panel cover back and screw it in place. • Reassemble the other parts in the interior of the dishwasher. • Slot the filters, wash arm, sprays, and dish racks in place. • Close the dishwasher door and connect it to a power source. • Turn on your water supply. |
Whether your Whirlpool dishwasher is in need of some thorough cleaning or a part replacement, you have the ability to do it all.
This step-by-step guide will help you deal with your dishwashing machine’s wash problems like a pro.
Insufficient Water Supply
If your dishwasher isn’t getting enough water supply during its wash cycle, then it really can’t wash and clean its load.
You must ensure that water can flow freely to your dishwasher to avoid any problems with its wash cycle.
Solution: Disconnect your Whirlpool dishwasher from the power source first to avoid any unsavory accidents.
Next, find the water inlet valve at the bottom of the dishwasher. You have to ensure that the water inlet valve is fully open.
Twist the valve clockwise all the way so that the water supply can flow freely.
Plug in your dishwasher to its power source and turn it on again to start a wash cycle.
Clogged Spray Arms
Over time, dirt, oil, and even detergent residue can build up and clog your dishwasher’s sprayers. This blockage will prevent water from spraying and cleaning your dirty dishes.
Solution: You’ll have to open your dishwasher and check inside so make sure it’s unplugged and turned off first.
Open the dishwasher door and find its spray arms at the bottom and top. Look at the nozzles closely to see if there are dirt and debris clogging them.
Next, remove the dish racks to access the spray arm. Detach the dish racks by unscrewing them or pulling them out.
Simply twist or unscrew the spray arms to remove them. Put them under running water.
Grab a brush and detergent. Scrub the dirt that’s clogging the nozzles. After, rinse the detergent and dirt off with clean water.
Reattach the spray arms to the back of the dishwasher. Then, screw or attach the dish racks in place.
Connect the dishwasher to its power source and turn it on.
Quick tip:
When cleaning your dishwasher’s spray nozzles, use warm water to make it easier to break down and remove the residue and dirt clogging them.
Dirty Filters
Believe it or not, dirty filters also affect the water flow inside the dishwasher during its wash cycle.
You’ll need to have them cleaned to allow your Whirlpool dishwashing machine to wash properly again.
Solution: After turning the dishwasher off, open its door and remove the dish racks. You can either unscrew them or pull them out.
Check the filters at the very bottom of the dishwasher. See if there are any food particles and residue.
Remove the filters from their compartments by simply lifting them up. They are easily detachable.
Get rid of the dirt and residue buildup by rinsing them under warm, running water. Get a brush and cleaning detergent to scrub the filters clean.
Slot the filters back into their compartments after washing them. Return the dish racks back in place as well.
Close the dishwasher door.
Incorrect Loading
Our dishwashers can surely handle a big load, but they also have their limits. Overloading the machine will render it unable to wash the dirty dishes properly.
Solution: If there’s an ongoing wash, stop the current cycle and turn off your dishwasher.
Open the dishwasher door to check if you’ve overloaded it.
If there’s barely any space inside the dishwasher or if the dishes are atop each other instead of positioned properly on the rack, you’ll need to reduce the load.
Remove the big plates and bowls first. Then, arrange the remaining load properly with enough space for water and soap to run on and between them.
Close the dishwasher door and restart the cycle.
Broken Wash Motor
A damaged wash motor will not let your dishwasher start a cycle at all!
If you hear an unusual knocking sound while you’re trying to run a wash cycle, it’s most likely that your motor is broken and needs to be replaced.
Solution: Turn off and unplug your dishwasher first to avoid electrocution as you will be disassembling it. Turn off or cut off the water supply source as well to prevent leaks.
Detach the dish racks by unscrewing or pulling them off from the rails. At the bottom of the dishwasher, find and twist the wash arm clockwise to remove it.
Remove the screws of the spray tube that’s attached to the back of the dishwasher.
Lift and remove the filters at the bottom of the dishwasher. Once the interior is empty, check the exterior of the machine and find the access panel cover at the bottom.
Unscrew and remove the access panel cover.
Next, detach the water pipes, drain pumps, and turbidity sensors. Twist them clockwise or counterclockwise to remove them.
Pull off the wires connected to them. Make sure to remember the wire placements for reassembly later.
Unscrew the motor to remove it and replace it with a new one. You can purchase a brand-new wash motor from Whirlpool’s official store or appliance centers near you.
Screw the new motor in its place. After securing it in its spot, you can now reattach the water tubes, drain pump, and sensors.
Reconnect the wires and put the panel cover back. Back to the machine’s interior, reattach the filters, sprays, wash arm, and dish racks.
Close the dishwasher door and connect it to the power source. Turn on your water supply.
After many instances of finding our dishes still soiled, it’s time to take action and fix the problem ourselves by following these easy steps.
A professional technician’s advice and assistance are also very welcome! Don’t be shy to ask for help to ensure that your Whirlpool dishwasher is in its best condition.
