Dishwasher not cleaning dishes
A dishwasher not cleaning dishes, leaving them gritty, filmy or still crusted with food, is rarely broken. Most of the time it's a clogged filter, a blocked spray arm, water that isn't hot enough, or the detergent. Work through the easy checks below before you think about a repair call. Most people don't know their dishwasher has a filter until they pull it out. It's usually the whole story.
How a dishwasher cleans
A dishwasher sprays hot water and detergent through spinning arms, drains it through a filter, and repeats. Anything that weakens the spray, cools the water or stops the detergent working leaves dishes dirty.
Most dishwashers made in the last decade have a filter you're meant to clean yourself, usually every month or two. Many owners don't know it's there, and a clogged one is the most common reason dishes come out gritty.
Why dishes come out dirty
Grit and food get sprayed back onto dishes.
Some racks get almost no water.
Detergent doesn't dissolve or cut grease.
Leaves film, spots and residue.
| You see | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Grit or bits of food | Clogged filter | Clean the filter. |
| White film or spots | Hard water | Add rinse aid; more detergent. |
| One rack dirtier than the other | Blocked spray arm | Clear the arm's holes. |
| Detergent left in the cup | Blocked door or cold water | Reload; run the hot water first. |
Let's fix it
- Check how it's loadedMake sure nothing tall is blocking the spray arms or the detergent door. Face the dirty sides of plates toward the center, keep bowls from nesting, and leave space between items. Spin each arm by hand to make sure it clears.
- Clean the filterPull out the bottom rack and find the round filter in the floor of the tub. Twist it out, rinse it under the tap and scrub the mesh gently with a soft brush. Wear gloves; bits of broken glass can collect there. Lock it back in place.
- Clear the spray armsLook at the holes in each arm. Pick out seeds, glass or lime scale with a toothpick. If an arm doesn't spin freely or the holes are packed, take it off and clean it properly.
- Run the hot water firstBefore starting a cycle, run the kitchen faucet until the water is hot. The dishwasher then starts with hot water instead of the cold water sitting in the pipes. If the water from your tap never gets very hot, check that the water heater is set to about 120°F; going much higher raises the risk of scalding.
- Use fresh detergentUse dishwasher detergent, never dish soap. Powder that has clumped in the box won't dissolve well; buy a new box or switch to pods. Hard water needs a little more detergent or a pod made for hard water.
- Add rinse aidFill the rinse aid dispenser, usually next to the detergent cup. Rinse aid helps water sheet off so dishes dry without spots and white film, especially with hard water.
- Run a cleaning cycleWith the dishwasher empty, run a hot cycle with a dishwasher cleaner tablet, following the label. It clears grease and mineral buildup from the pump, arms and hoses. Then run a normal load and check the results.
Watch it done
- Dishes come out without food bits or grit
- Glasses dry without spots or white film
- Spray arms spin freely with clear holes
If they still come out dirty
If it smells bad, see the guide for a dishwasher that smells.
If only the top rack comes out dirty, the upper spray arm or the pipe that feeds it may be blocked or loose. Check that it clicks into place.
If dishes are clean but cloudy, soak a glass in vinegar for a few minutes. If the film wipes away, it's hard water; if it stays, the glass is etched and won't clear.
What a pro typically charges (a rough estimate; prices vary by area): An appliance repair visit typically runs $100–$250. Replacing a wash pump or heating element usually costs $200–$450 including parts and labor.
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Dishwasher cleaning questions
Why are my dishes still dirty after the dishwasher?
Usually a clogged filter, blocked spray arms, water that isn't hot enough, or old detergent.
Where is the dishwasher filter?
In the floor of the tub under the bottom rack, usually a round piece you twist to remove. Check the manual for your model.
Why do my glasses have a white film?
Hard water. Add rinse aid, use a little more detergent, or try a detergent made for hard water.
How often should I clean the dishwasher filter?
About once a month, or more often if you don't scrape plates.