Dishwasher not Getting Water: Potential Causes and Actions

Your dishwasher is probably one of your favorite appliances. It makes clean-up easy and provides a chance for more family time. If your time-saving appliance seems to be running but your dishwasher is not getting water, there are a few things you can check before calling a repair service or searching for a new one. 

Why a Dishwasher is not Getting Water: Common Reasons

To troubleshoot reasons why water is not getting to your dishwasher, you’ll want to determine if a little water is entering the machine or none at all. There are several causes that for water not getting into the dishwasher from a simple defective door switch to a more complex broken solenoid. Here are some of the more common possibilities:

Faulty Water Supply Valve

This is a main cause for a dishwasher not getting enough water. The water supply valve opens to let hot water into the machine. If it stops working and fails to open, your dishes will not get clean.

Defective Door Switch

While it seems like a simple component, a defective door switch can tell the dishwasher that the door is open and prevent water from filling the machine. You can check the switch with a multimeter to check the continuity.

Dishwasher is Leaking

If your dishwasher is built into the cabinet, it’s possible it may be leaking and you haven’t noticed. If you can hear the water filling, but nothing sprays to wash your dishes, you may have a major leak. You’ll want to contact a professional to fix the problem.

Drain Hose is Not Positioned Right

In order for you dishwasher to function properly, the end of the drain hose must be at least 20 inches off the floor or it could siphon the water out. If this is the issue, you’ll need to reposition it so the tub fills correctly.

Dishwasher Door is Open or Broken

As you probably know, if the door is open or unlatched, it could be the reason why the dishwasher is not getting water. Newer models will show a flashing start light that tells you there is a problem. Close the door tightly and try to start it again.

Malfunctioning Float Switch

When the dishwasher is full and the water reaches the proper height, the float will trigger sensors to turn off the water supply. If the float is stuck off, it could be why the dishwasher is not getting water inside.

Filter is Clogged

There are filters on the inlet valves to stop dirt and debris from clogging the water supply. Unfortunately, after several years of use, the filters may become clogged and prevent water from getting through.

Broken Drain Solenoid

The drain solenoid drains excess water from your dishwasher. If it breaks, the float switch can be triggered and not allow enough water to fill the appliance. Listen as the water flows into the dishwasher. If you hear water draining out as soon as it flows in, you will need to replace it.

Faulty Water Supply Line

When the wash cycle takes too long and your dishwasher is not getting enough water, your water supply line may be kinked or broken. You can straighten out the line but if it is damaged, you’ll need to replace it. This will also require a new supply line to the dishwasher so you may want to hire a professional to do the repair.

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Should You Hire Puls Dishwasher Repairs Professional or Fix it Yourself?

There are pros and cons of hiring a professional vs. doing the work yourself. The main goal is to get your dishwasher fixed fast and cheap. While you may think that doing to work yourself would save both time and your budget, but that might not be the case. 

Pros of Hiring Puls

• Fast, convenient appointments. We work on your schedule and will be there when you are.
• Skilled, vetted technicians. We have a team of professionals that have experience in repairing dishwashers of all makes and models. They have the proper tools and access to the right parts. Puls does background checks on all our technicians to provide peace of mind for all your appliance needs.
• Transparent, accurate quotes. We understand that your budget is limited and the last thing you need is a company that adds hidden extras onto the bill. Puls will provide a final quote and will never do any work until you have approved it.
• Guaranteed service. We guarantee all work we do for 90 days, so if you have any additional issues, we’ll take care of it.

Cons of DIY

• Don’t have the expertise. Watching a YouTube video or searching online for how to repair your dishwasher may not be sufficient to troubleshoot or repair your appliance. You may replace the wrong part or damage something else doing it.
• Takes too long. Even if you are familiar with what needs to be done, you will likely have to order parts or search local stores to find what you need. It could take days or longer to get what you need.
• Don’t have the proper tools. Unless you repair appliances for a living, you may not have all the tools you need to fix your dishwasher. If you have to buy or rent tools, not only will it take longer, it will cost you more.
• Possible injury. All electrical appliances pose a safety hazard to someone without sufficient repair knowledge. You could experience electric shocks, burns, or other injury. 
• Cost more. You may think you will save money doing the repair yourself, but you may only fix your machine temporarily. You may not have found the real problem or you may cause additional issues.

Save even more and protect your budget from unexpected expenses with an Appliance Protection Plan. Pay a low monthly fee and receive full repair or replacement, same or next day service, and discounts on service.

When Should You Fix Your Dishwasher Yourself?

Simple repairs like replacing the door gasket or replacing the door latch can easily be done without the help of a professional. While many components come as a unit, getting to the parts may be more complicated than you are comfortable doing. If you have some mechanical knowledge and a few tools, disconnect the power (and water) and good luck.

When to Hire a Professional

If you feel like you’re over your head with the repair or are having difficulty understanding the step-by-step instructions you found on Google, it’s time to call in the pros. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

FAQ

How much will it cost to repair a dishwasher if it’s not getting water?

Minor repairs like replacing a blown fuse or other minor repair will run under $150, while more complicated issues like replacing the pump assembly or control board can run as much as $400.

Why a dishwasher fills with water and then stops?

This could be caused from a malfunctioning thermal fuse. It could be shorting out and stopping the dishwasher in the middle of the cycle.

How much will it cost to replace a dishwasher water inlet valve?

If your dishwasher is not getting enough water or filling slowly, the water inlet valve may be broken. It will cost you around $80 to $125 to replace it.

Should you replace or repair a dishwasher?

If your dishwasher keeps breaking down recently or if the cost to repair is 50 percent of the cost of a new appliance, you should replace it.

Conclusion

If you keep searching the internet for “my dishwasher is not getting water,” you should consider contacting Puls for a fast, inexpensive repair. Offering same day service appointments, you’ll have a fully operational dishwasher in no time.

To keep your dishwasher working longer, keep up with regular maintenance. Do things like scrape food off plates but don’t rinse; make sure to run full loads; use the proper dishwasher detergent; use a rinse aid regularly; load the appliance correctly, and clean your dishwasher often to keep it running troublefree for years to come.

Book a Puls tech today and get 30% off, with code: ptake30