Whirlpool Dishwasher Troubleshooting (DIY Steps & Repair)

Whirlpool dishwashers are well known for their reliability, but like any other machine, they can also face troubles. The issues are more frustrating when you want to use your dishwasher but can’t use it because of those errors.

In this article, I will guide you through the Whirlpool dishwasher troubleshooting methods. By the end, you will be able to fix your appliance problems.

So, let’s start with an introduction to these common issues.

What are the common problems with Whirlpool dishwashers?

The most common problems faced by Whirlpool dishwashers are the dishwasher not cleaning dishes, the dishwasher not starting, poor drainage, water supply issues, odors coming out of the dishwasher, leakage issues, and many more. 

However, these issues can easily be solved at home. To do so, read the given detailed instructions according to the specific problem you are facing.

How do you troubleshoot a Whirlpool dishwasher not starting?

The dishwasher not starting is a common problem among Whirlpool dishwasher owners. It can be caused by a non-working start button, unlatched doors, a control lock, etc. To fix the issue, follow the instructions below and check which works for you.

Turn off sleep mode.

There is a possibility that you have activated the sleep mode accidentally on your dishwasher. The sleep mode puts your dishwasher at rest, causing it not to start. 

To turn off the sleep mode, open and close the dishwasher’s door, then press the start or resume button.

Reset your dishwasher

Most of the issues can be solved just by performing a reset on your dishwasher. A quick reset can fix any software errors causing it not to start. The Whirlpool dishwasher does not have a dedicated reset button, so you will have to do the reset manually. 

Follow the below steps to reset the dishwasher.

• Unplug the power cord of your dishwasher from the electrical outlet or turn off the circuit breaker.
• Wait for a few minutes.
• After a few minutes, put the power cord back into the electrical outlet or turn on the circuit breaker.

Deactivate the control lock.

Some dishwashers have a feature control lock that prevents the control panel’s buttons from being accidentally pressed. The control lock also prevents your dishwasher from being started. 

Press and hold the control lock button for 3 seconds to turn it off. You can refer to your dishwasher’s manual to find its location, as it varies according to different dishwasher models.

Close the door properly.

Most dishwashers have a built-in mechanism to start the dishwasher only when the doors are properly closed and sealed. So, check your dishwasher’s door and shut it appropriately before starting the cycle.

If the doors are not latching correctly, it can be a sign of a broken door latch. To fix this issue, you must immediately replace that broken door latch.

How to fix a Whirlpool dishwasher not cleaning dishes?

It’s frustrating when you wait several hours to use the clean dishes, but the dishware comes out dirty after the cycle. 

However, these issues can be fixed by a simple series of steps. Go through the given below instructions to fix your problem.

Avoid overloading your dishwasher.

Dishwashers also have a specific limit for cleaning dishes at one time. If you put limitless utensils in your dishwasher at one time, it will block the water from reaching them, and your dishwasher will be unable to clean any of them properly.

So, load your dishwasher properly and leave plenty of space between the dishes. You can also check the user manual to know the specific limit of your dishwasher.

Arrange the dishes properly.

Ensure that the dishes in the dishwasher are placed in a way that does not block the rotation of spray arms. If they are, rearrange them correctly so that spray arms can rotate freely.

Also, check that all the dishes are reachable to the spray arms. If you put some of your plates in the corner, the spray arm will not be able to reach there, and those dishes will remain uncleaned.

Avoid using too much detergent.

The amount of detergent you use has a great impact on dishwasher functionality.

Adding too much detergent in your dishwasher can be one of the causes of dirty dishes after the cycle. Overuse of detergent can build a filmy layer on your dishware, making it unclean even after the wash cycle.

Look over the water inlet valve.

The water inlet valve is the entrance gate of water coming to the dishwasher. Any blockage in the water inlet valve will prevent the water from reaching the dishwasher, leading to a shortage of water in the dishwasher. The dishwasher fails to clean dishes with inadequate water, and the dishes remain uncleaned.

To solve the issue, inspect the water intake valve and remove any blockage or mineral deposit around the valve.

Inspect the spray arm.

Blockage in the dishwasher’s spray arm can be a potential cause of unclean dishes after the cycle. The spray arm is responsible for rinsing the dishes in the dishwasher. It sprays detergent water all over the dishwasher to wash the dishes.

To check the spray arms, open the dishwasher doors and inspect all the spray arms for any debris or mineral deposits that are preventing them from spraying the water. If you find any debris or mineral deposits over the spray arm, then remove it as soon as possible to fix your issue.

Check the wash impeller.

The wash impeller in your dishwasher is responsible for generating the water pressure required to clean the dishes properly. It is a structure made of hard plastic located at the bottom of the spray arms.

If the wash impeller is missing or broken, the spray arm will be unable to spray high-pressure water, causing the dishes to remain dirty even after the cycle.

Check the wash impeller of your dishwasher for any visible damage or tears, and replace the wash impeller with the help of a professional technician to solve the issue.

Inspect the circulation pump.

A malfunctioning circulation pump can be a reason for the dishwasher not cleaning your dishes after the cycle. The circulation pump circulates the water to the spray arms and then sprays it toward the dishes to clean them. 

If the circulation pump is faulty, it will not push the water to the spray arms, and the plates will remain dirty.

In such cases, you will need to replace your circulation pump with a new one.

How can I fix the drainage issue on my Whirlpool dishwasher?

Are you worrying because your dishwasher is not draining properly? 

According to manufacturers, standing water in the dishwasher up to an inch is normal, but if the water is more than that, it means there is some issue with the drainage system of your dishwasher.

But don’t worry because I am going to provide you with simple solutions to troubleshoot drainage issues on your whirlpool dishwasher. Drainage issues can be caused by several reasons.

Make sure that the wash cycle is finished.

If the wash cycle of your dishwasher is still in process and you open the dishwasher, it is normal to find water at the bottom. Confirm that the lights on the front panel are indicating the ‘Clean’ or ‘Off’ option.

If there is no such light, it means that the wash cycle is not finished yet. Close the door and press the start button to restart the wash cycle.

Check the dishwasher’s filter.

Check the dishwasher’s filter for any kind of blockage or build-up in it. A filter in a dishwasher filters the debris and food particles from the dirty water and helps prevent significant clogs. But when the filter itself gets blocked, the water will not be able to pass through it, which will lead to standing water in the dishwasher.

Follow the following steps to clean the filter of your dishwasher:

• First of all, shut off the power of your dishwasher.
• Now, open the dishwasher and remove its lower rack.
• The filter is located in the bottom of the dishwasher’s tub, so take it out with the help of a screwdriver.

• Clean the filter with soapy, warm water to remove blockage or mineral deposits.
• Lastly, install it back into the dishwasher.

Examine the dishwasher’s drain hose.

One of the most likely reasons why your dishwasher won’t drain is clogs in the drain hose. It is a pipe that connects the garbage disposal to your dishwasher. Any clogs in it will prevent the water from reaching the garbage disposal, resulting in drainage issues.

You will have to fix the blockage in the drain hose to resolve this issue. Follow the given below steps to check and fix the drain hose:

• Start with disconnecting the one end of the drain hose connected to the garbage disposal.
• Put that end in a bucket to avoid any mess on the floor.
• Now, fill the dishwasher with water and let it drain to the bucket.
• You can force more water so that clogs will also come out.
• Reconnect that end to the garbage disposal again and start a normal cycle.
• If the dishwasher is still not draining, then pull out the dishwasher from the wall and remove both ends of the drain hose.
• Remember, this action may cause some water to leak, so put a pan underneath to prevent the floor from being dirty.
• After detaching both ends, check the drain hose for any clogs or damage in it.
• Remove the clogs from the drain hose and replace it if it’s damaged to fix your issue.

Whirlpool dishwasher leaking onto the floor. How to fix it?

Leakage in the dishwasher can be caused by various reasons, such as using the wrong detergent, broken door seal, and malfunctioning wash arms. 

Read and follow the below solutions to fix your leaking appliance:

Use recommended detergent

If you use detergent other than the one recommended by manufacturers, you will likely face leakage issues. 

Usage of non-recommended detergent can cause the creation of too many suds in the dishwasher, causing extra soap and water to leak onto your floor. Detergents recommended by the manufacturers are specialized for usage inside the dishwasher.

Check the door’s seal.

Open the door of your dishwasher. You will find a rubber seal around the doors. During the cycle, this rubber seal prevents the water from coming out of the dishwasher by creating a watertight environment.

The seal of doors can break over time due to normal wear and tear, causing water leakage from the doors. Check the door seal properly for any visible damage or tears. If it is damaged or broken, you will have to replace the door seal with the help of a licensed appliance repair technician.

Fix the wash arms.

If there is some blockage that is preventing the wash arms from rotating freely, then it will spray the water only towards the doors. The dishwasher doors will not endure such water pressure, resulting in leakage. 

You will just need to remove the blockage, which prevents the rotation of wash arms, to solve the issue.

How can I fix the Whirlpool dishwasher not filling with water?

Dishwashers not filling with water can be due to a number of reasons. Some of the primary reasons are a clogged inlet valve, a broken float switch, and a blocked water line. 

As they are minor, you can fix it yourself. Instructions to fix your Whirlpool appliance that won’t fill with water problems are given below. You can follow it to solve your issue.

Unclog the inlet valve.

Any clog preventing the water from passing through the inlet valve can cause the dishwasher to not fill with water. The water in the dishwasher enters through the inlet valve. If there is a clog in the inlet valve, the water will not reach the dishwasher.

Follow the given steps to unclog the water inlet valve of your Whirlpool dishwasher:

• First, remove the power cord of your dishwasher from the power outlet.
• The water inlet valve is located in the bottom back of the dishwasher, so turn your dishwasher around.
• Unscrew the water Inlet valve with the help of a screwdriver.

• Now, you can access the internal parts of the inlet valve. Inspect the area around the inlet valve.
• Remove the clogs ( if you find any) and reinstall the water supply line to fix your issue.

Correct the float of your dishwasher.

The float of your dishwasher tells the float switch when to stop filling the water in the dishwasher. If the float is blocked or malfunctioning, it will prevent the dishwasher from filling with water. It is usually located on the bottom right side of your dishwasher.

To correct the float of your dishwasher, open the dishwasher and adjust the blocked float so that it can move up and down freely.

Check the disposal inlet.

The incorrect position of the disposal inlet is one of the reasons for the dishwasher not filling with water. The disposal inlet should always be at least 20 inches up. If it’s not installed correctly by your plumber, you may have to recall your plumber to readjust it correctly.

Whirlpool dishwasher. How do we fix the bad odor coming from it?

Dishwashers are used regularly to clean the dirty dishes of our household. During cleaning, many food particles get stuck inside the dishwasher over time. These food particles can cause bacterial growth and bad smells in the dishwasher.

A dirty dishwasher is the main cause of odor coming out of your dishwasher. Try out the cleaning methods given below to clean your dishwasher.

Clean the filter

Filters in the dishwasher are used to clean the food particles and debris from the drainage. Over time, these food particles can rot and cause foul odors in the dishwasher. 

So, clean the filter with warm water and soap to fix the foul smell in your dishwasher.

Use a dishwasher cleaner.

Buy a dishwasher cleaner from the market, or use vinegar to clean your dishwasher. Remove all dishes from the dishwasher and place the cleaner in the bottom. 

Now, start a normal wash cycle to fix the bad odor coming from the dishwasher.

How do we fix detergent not dispensing issues on the Whirlpool dishwasher?

If the detergent dispenser of your appliance is not working, the dishwasher will be unable to clean your dishes properly. The dispenser needs to release the detergent at the correct time so that the dishes can be cleaned properly. 

When your dispenser is malfunctioning, you may see signs like a closed dispenser after the cycle, lodged detergent in the open dispenser after the wash cycle, and a lump of detergent in the bottom of the dishwasher.

This issue can be caused by many reasons. However, the most common causes and their solutions are given below. Go through each of them and check which one is working for you.

Rearrange the racks of your dishwasher.

If the racks of your dishwasher are arranged in such a way that blocks the dispenser from opening, the dispenser will be unable to open.

To fix the problem, open your dishwasher doors and take out all the racks. Now, properly rearrange them so that they do not block the dispenser opening.

Remove caked-on detergent.

Caked-on detergent can cause blockage in the soap dispenser, preventing it from opening properly. So, check the dispenser for any detergent build-up and clean it out.

Store the detergent properly.

Exposure of air to the dishwasher detergents can cause lumps in it. These lumps can’t dissolve properly in the water, so store your detergent in a proper air-tight container to avoid these lumps and dissolving issues.

Check the water temperature.

The water temperature plays a significant role in dissolving the detergent properly. Detergent can only dissolve properly when the water is warm. 

If the heating element of your dishwasher is not functioning correctly, the water will not get warm enough to dissolve the detergent properly.

FAQs

How do you reset your Whirlpool dishwasher?

In order to reset your Whirlpool dishwasher, Press the ‘Heated Dry’ button and then the ‘Normal’ button. Now, press both buttons again in quick succession to complete the reset.

Why isn’t my Whirlpool dishwasher working?

Malfunctioning the dishwasher can be caused due to several reasons. However, it can be cured by turning off the incorrect settings like control lock or sleep mode, properly closing the doors, and ensuring the dishwasher’s proper power and water supply.

What is the expected life of a Whirlpool dishwasher?

According to the manufacturers and the consumer reports, Whirlpool dishwashers have an average lifespan of about 10 years. Still, you can boost your dishwasher’s lifespan by maintaining and cleaning it regularly.

Conclusion

Troubles with the dishwasher are very common these days. These troubles can be caused by several factors, like selecting the wrong settings, unlatched doors, disturbed power supply, blocked water supply, and dirt in the dishwasher. Facing any of these problems can be stressful and frustrating.

You can solve any of your problems by following the above-given troubleshooting tips. You can also head over to a specific issue if you want to know about it in detail. If you are still not confident, you can call a dishwasher repair technician, who will help you get rid of your problem.

I have covered each topic required to troubleshoot the Whirlpool dishwasher. Now, if you have any doubts or questions, you can ask me in the comment section below. I will be happy to help you out.