Dishwasher Not Working? Common Causes and Quick Fixes

When your dishwasher, a household appliance designed to automatically clean dishes using water and detergent. Also known as a dishwashing machine, it’s one of the most relied-on devices in the kitchen—until it stops working. You’re left with a sink full of dirty plates, and the question isn’t just "why?"—it’s "can I fix it myself?"

A dishwasher that won’t start could be due to a simple power issue, a faulty door latch, or a tripped circuit breaker. If it runs but doesn’t clean properly, the problem might be a clogged filter, a broken spray arm, or low water pressure. Many people assume a broken dishwasher means a costly replacement, but appliance repair often fixes the issue for less than 20% of the price of a new unit. Most repairs take under an hour and don’t require replacing the whole machine.

Common signs your dishwasher needs attention: no water entering, strange noises, standing water after a cycle, or the door not latching properly. These aren’t always signs of death—they’re often signs of a worn-out pump seal, a dirty spray arm, or a faulty inlet valve. Replacing a dishwasher filter costs under $20 and takes five minutes. A door latch that’s stuck? Sometimes it just needs a quick clean or realignment. And if the dishwasher won’t drain, it’s rarely the pump—it’s usually a kinked hose or food debris blocking the drain.

Don’t rush to buy a new one just because the display shows an error code. Most modern dishwashers have diagnostic modes that point to the exact problem. You don’t need to be a technician to check the basics: make sure it’s plugged in, the water supply valve is open, and the filter is clean. If those don’t help, a professional appliance repair tech can usually diagnose and fix it in under an hour. Many common failures—like a broken heating element or faulty control board—are easy to replace with the right parts.

Below, you’ll find real fixes from people who’ve been where you are. No fluff. No guesswork. Just clear, step-by-step solutions for the most frequent dishwasher problems. Whether it’s not starting, not draining, or just not cleaning right, you’ll find what’s wrong and what to do about it.