Frigidaire Dishwasher Troubleshooting (7 Easy Steps)

Frigidaire dishwashers are one of the most commonly used appliances in the household. They make our lives easy by doing one of the most time-consuming kitchen activities (washing dishes). On the other hand, dishwasher issues can be a headache for the users.

You might think that Frigidaire dishwasher troubleshooting is complicated work, but it is very easy to fix it.

In this guide, I will provide you with simple and quick step-by-step instructions to troubleshoot your issues.

So, let’s dive into it.

Troubleshooting a Frigidaire dishwasher not cleaning dishes. 

Frigidaire dishwashers not cleaning dishes is one of the common problems faced by most of the dishwasher’s owners.

This issue can be caused by multiple reasons, some of which include blockage in the water inlet valve, blockage in the center spray arm, damaged water pump belt, worn-out tub seals and bearings, etc.

Follow the given instructions to troubleshoot the Frigidaire dishwasher not cleaning problem:-

Check the water Inlet valve for blockage

You must have seen the water supply line joining the dishwasher. They are attached to a valve known as a water inlet valve. The water inlet valve supplies the water into the dishwasher.

Any build-up or blockage in the water inlet valve can prevent the water supply to the dishwasher, leading it not to clean the dishes properly.

In order to fix this problem, locate the water inlet valve, usually present behind the bottom kick plate panel of the dishwasher. Open the plate, remove the inlet valve, and inspect the area where the water enters.

Check for any obstacle that is preventing the water from reaching the dishwasher. If you find any obstruction, then wash the valve and the infected area with soapy, warm water to fix your issue.

Examine the water pump belt.

The water pump belt helps the dishwasher’s water pump to work efficiently. Any damage in the belt can cause malfunctioning of the dishwasher’s water pump, which can lead to Frigidaire dishwasher not cleaning issues.

To resolve the issue, you have to check the water pump belt. To do so, you will need to remove the access plate from the back of the dishwasher. Now, identify the water pump belt and inspect it carefully for any damage or fray.

If you find visible damage on the belt, it will need to be replaced.

Blockage in the center spray arm 

Have you wondered how the water is sprayed over the dishes? It is the spray arm that rinses the dishes. Sometimes, it can be blocked with food particles or debris, which results in uncleaned dishware after the cycle.

To deal with this issue, you have to check the spray arm for any blockage.

Open the dishwasher and check if the spray arm is melted, blocked, or has any kind of damage.

For any blockages in the holes of the spray arm, you will need to wash it with soap and warm water to remove the obstacle and resolve your issue.

Examine the tub seals and bearings.

These are some of the essential components of the appliance. The tub seals prevent the water from leaking out of the tub of your Frigidaire dishwasher, and bearings help the tub rotate freely. Malfunctioning of any of these components can cause dirty dishes after completing the wash cycle.

To fix the issue, you have to find out whether the tub seals and bearings are working perfectly or not. To do so, open the dishwasher’s door and check for any visible damage in the tub seals. You will need to replace the tub seals if you find any signs of damage.

To check the tub bearings, hold the bearing in one hand and rotate the outer ring to verify it runs smoothly. If it is turning roughly or unevenly, then you should replace the whole set of the bearings to fix your issue.

Check for damaged wash impellers.

The water impeller is responsible for pumping the water up through the spray arm. If its blade is missing or damaged, it will be unable to generate the force to pump the water up.

You should refer to the user manual of your Frigidaire dishwasher to check if the water impeller can be replaced separately from the pump or not.

If it can be separated from the pump, then open the bottom back panel of the dishwasher and detach the impeller from the pump. Now, take a new impeller and attach it to the pump of your dishwasher. Close the back panel, and your repair is completed.

How to fix a Frigidaire dishwasher not starting

It’s frustrating when you have a lot of dishes to wash, but your dishwasher is not starting. A Frigidaire dishwasher that won’t start can be due to several reasons such as power supply disruption, malfunctioning door latch, incorrect settings, etc.

Follow the given below instruction to troubleshoot the dishwasher not starting problem:-

Reset the dishwasher

We have always recommended trying to reset the dishwasher if you face any issues like the Frigidaire dishwasher won’t start. Dishwashers are also electrical appliances, and like any other electrical appliance, they can also face software glitches.

To fix the software glitch, you will have to perform a reset on your dishwasher. Frigidaire dishwashers have the exact resetting mechanism as any other dishwasher. Follow the steps that are given below to reset your Frigidaire dish

• • Begin by disconnecting the dishwasher from the power source and holding down the cancel button located on the right side of the control panel until the light disappears from the display.

• • Now, wait for some 5-7 minutes, then restore the power to the dishwasher and hold the start button for 1-2 seconds to turn on the dishwasher.

• • You have successfully performed the reset on your dishwasher. Now, check if the dishwasher is starting or not.

Disturbed power supply 

Every electrical appliance needs electricity for its functioning. Power supply disruption can be a cause of your Frigidaire dishwasher not starting. Follow the below given simple steps to check the power supply issues and fix them:

• • Ensure your Frigidaire dishwasher is connected correctly to a functional electrical board. 

• • To check the functionality of the electrical panel, disconnect the dishwasher and attach any other device. Please do not use any extensions, as they don’t have the capacity to hold the voltage required to run a heavy home appliance like the dishwasher.

• • Check the circuit breaker of your dishwasher and confirm that it’s in the correct position.

• • Some of the models of Frigidaire dishwashers require pressing the start cycle button after turning on the power. So, push the state cycle button and check if the dishwasher is functioning or not.

Child lock or delay start setting activated.

The Frigidaire dishwashers come with many innovative features. Child lock and delay start features are one of them. Activation of any of these settings can lead the dishwasher to not starting issues. So, check if the child lock or delay start setting is active on your Frigidaire dishwasher.

If it’s active on your dishwasher, then you will have to turn off these settings to resolve your issue.

Fix your dishwasher’s door latch.

The door latch in your Frigidaire dishwasher is responsible for closing and sealing the door before starting the cycle. It prevents the water from coming out of the dishwasher during the wash cycle.

Most of the dishwasher models have safety mechanisms that prevent them from starting until you close the door. So, check the door of your dishwasher and close it properly.

If the door is not closing, you should replace your dishwasher’s faulty door latch. Follow the given below steps to replace the defective door latch:

• • Start with cutting off the power from the dishwasher.

• • Now, remove the dishwasher’s access panel and identify the faulty door latch.

• • Disconnect the electrical connector from the door latch and remove its screws to detach it from the door.

• • Take a new door latch and fix it with the screws on the place of the old one.

• • Connect the electrical connector and close the access panel to complete your replacement.

Why my Frigidaire dishwasher is leaking onto the floor?

Are you worried because your dishwasher is leaking? Don’t worry. I am here with some troubleshooting instructions to help you solve your problem. Just follow the steps and check if they are working for you.

Inspect the door gasket and seal. 

These are the safety components in the dishwasher. The door gasket and seal in a dishwasher are responsible for preventing the water from getting out of the dishwasher. Any gaps, tears, or cuts on the door gasket and seal can lead to leaking water onto the floor.

To resolve the issue, check the door gasket and seal of the dishwasher for any damage. If you find any visible tears or cuts on them, replace them ASAP to fix your issue.

Check the door hinges. 

You must have seen hinges in the door of your dishwasher. The hinges in the dishwasher’s door support the door and allow it to swing freely. But If the hinges are damaged or have gaps, it can be a potential reason for water leakage from the dishwasher. The cracks in the damaged hinges enable the water to seep through it.

To fix this issue, you will have to replace the hinges of your Frigidaire dishwasher’s door with a new one.

Examine the wash arms.

A faulty wash arm can be one of the causes of leakage issues. The wash arms of the dishwasher spray the water all over the dishwasher to clean the dishes.

If somehow the wash arms stop rotating and start spreading all of the water on the dishwasher’s door, the door will not be able to handle so much water, and as a result, you will find water leaking onto the floor.

To resolve the issue, you will have to check each of the wash arms carefully for any signs of cracks or loose screws. If you find any loose screws in the wash arms, then tighten the screws, and if you find any cracks or damage signs, you will have to replace them to fix your problem.

Fix the water inlet valve.

As previously mentioned, the water inlet valve in your Frigidaire dishwasher is responsible for filling the dishwasher with water. If the water inlet valve starts malfunctioning, it will supply more than the required water into the dishwasher, which will lead to leakage in the dishwasher.

You will be required to replace the water inlet valve to fix this issue. Now, replacing a water inlet valve is a little complex task, so it will be best to call a professional appliance repair technician.

Troubleshooting a Frigidaire dishwasher not drying dishes 

If your Frigidaire dishwasher is not drying your plates properly and the vessels coming out of your dishwasher are wet, it means there is something wrong with the dishwasher that needs to be fixed. Here are some common causes with their solutions:

Check the heating element.

Most of the dishwashers use a heating element to dry the dishes before the completion of the cycle. Malfunctioning of the heating element will prevent the dishwasher from getting hot and drying dishes.

Check the heating element of your dishwasher, which is usually located at the bottom of your dishwasher. Use a multimeter to check for the constant current in the heating element.

If there is no or fluctuating current in the heating element, it means that it is not working correctly and needs replacement.

Inspect the vent of the dishwasher.

If your dishwasher uses a steam mechanism to dry the dishes, then you should check the vent from where the dishwasher releases the steam for drying the dishes.

Any damage or clog in the vent can prevent the hot air from reaching the Utensils. So, open the dishwasher and check for clogs or damage in the vent. If you find any blockage preventing the hot air, then remove the block to fix your issue.

How to troubleshoot the issues with the Frigidaire dishwasher?

1. • First, you should try to reset your dishwasher. Disconnect the power from the dishwasher and reconnect it after 5-7 minutes to perform a reset.

• • Make sure that your dishwasher is appropriately connected to a functioning outlet.

• • Check if the dishwasher door is closed correctly. If not, then close it properly.

• • If your dishwasher is set for child lock or delay start, then turn off these settings.

• • Make sure that enough water is reaching the dishwasher. If not, then search for any clogs and remove them.

• • If the dishwasher is not cleaning dishes, check and remove the blockage from the center arm spray to fix the issue.

• • Check the gasket and seals of the dishwasher for any tears and repair or replace them if it has any damage.

• • If the dishes are not drying, check for blockages and remove them from the vent of the dishwasher to fix your issue.

FAQ’s

What causes a Frigidaire dishwasher not to start?

Power supply issues, unlatched doors, wrong settings, and software errors can potentially cause your Frigidaire dishwasher not to start.

What is the average life of a Frigidaire dishwasher?

According to manufacturer and consumer reports, Frigidaire dishwashers have an average lifespan of 10 years. However, you can always increase its life with regular maintenance.

Why does my Frigidaire dishwasher start light blinking?

The flashing and blinking of lights on the control panel clearly indicate an issue with the micro switch inside the door latch assembly. Use a multimeter to test the micro switch and replace it to fix the problem.

How do I reset my Frigidaire error code?

Most of the error codes can be fixed just by resetting the dishwasher. To do so, turn off the dishwasher or cut off the power and turn it back on after five minutes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, common issues with your Frigidaire dishwasher can often be resolved through a series of simple steps. The common issues include the Frigidaire dishwasher isn’t cleaning dishes, the Frigidaire dishwasher doesn’t start, the Frigidaire dishwasher leaking onto the floor, the Frigidaire dishwasher not drying dishes, etc.

To solve the basic issues, follow the above given step-by-step guide. Also, you can head over to a specific one to learn more about it. If you are confused you can always seek professional help.

This was the troubleshooting guide for the Frigidaire dishwasher. I hope you liked it and found it helpful. If you want to ask any questions, then comment below; we would be happy to assist you further.