April 20, 2023

Dishwasher articles

These articles and how-to videos from Sears PartsDirect can help you get the best possible cleaning results from your dishwasher. Get advice on why your dishwasher isn't filling, draining or starting, how to load a dishwasher so dishes get clean, how to fix rusted tines and more. For more DIY advice, check out our dishwasher repair help section for more troubleshooting guidance, error code information and step-by-step repair instructions.

Dishwashers

Articles and videos common to all dishwashers

November 13, 2022
Introduction image for Sears PartsDirect article 7 Tips to Get Your Dishwasher Ready for the Holidays.

Find professional tips that can help you get your dishwasher ready for the holidays.

November 12, 2022
Introduction image for article 5 Holiday Cleaning Tasks Essential to Boosting Your Home’s Image.

Get tips on completing essential holiday cleaning tasks to brighten your home.

August 30, 2022
Image for intoruduction section describing Sears PartsDirect website features.

Learn about all the convenient features on our Sears PartsDirect website that make your parts purchases easier.

August 19, 2022
Introduction image for article on DIY appliance repair safety.

Find out how to stay safe when repairing your appliances.

August 11, 2022
Introduction image for article on the new Search Bar feature on Sears PartsDirect.

Learn about a new feature added to the Search Bar on Sears PartsDirect

August 5, 2022
Image article introducing the Sears Technical Institute.

Learn about Sears Technical Institute and the advanced technical content being developed for aspiring appliance techs.

May 10, 2022
Introduction image for dishwasher main parts.

Learn about the main parts of a dishwasher and how to troubleshoot common problems.

January 5, 2022
Dishwasher cycles

Learn about the length of cycles for your dishwasher

December 23, 2021
Dishwasher won't start.

Learn how to reset a Whirlpool dishwasher when its control freezes up.

August 17, 2021
How to read a wiring schematic.

Learn how to decipher symbols so you can buy the right part for your problem.

April 10, 2020
How to clean your appliances after a drinking water advisory.

Find out how to clean and flush household appliances once a boil water advisory is lifted.

January 14, 2019
How to replace a dishrack roller on a Kenmore 587-series or Frigidaire dishwasher.

It only takes a few minutes to get your dishrack sliding easily again.

September 6, 2016
Dishwasher won't start.

Stuck control panel keys or a faulty door switch can prevent a dishwasher from starting.

August 30, 2016
A dishwasher that has power but won't run could be set in demo mode.

This list shows how to disable the demo mode on a variety of dishwashers.

Symptoms common to all dishwashers

Choose a symptom to see related dishwasher repairs.

Main cause: damaged rack height adjuster
Main causes: water supply problem, stuck overfill float, clogged water inlet valve screen, water inlet valve failure
Main causes: improper loading, low water temperature, improper detergent dosage, detergent dispenser failure, spray arm or pump problems
Main causes: damaged or stuck spray arm, leaking door seal, damaged door hinge, leaky heating element water seal, cracked water supply line
Main causes: broken door latch, tripped circuit breaker, broken heating element, faulty vent fan, sensor failure, control system problem
Main causes: light switch beside the sink turned off, lack of power, bad dishwasher door switch, control system failure, wiring problem
Main causes: clogged kitchen sink drain, clogged drain hose, drain check valve damaged, drain pump failure, control system problem
Main causes: broken door spring, damaged or broken door hinge
Main causes: glass or popcorn kernel stuck in the chopper blade, drain line vibrating against the cabinet, debris in wash pump or drain pump

Repair guides common to all dishwashers

These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your dishwasher.

How to replace a dishwasher door latch assembly

If the dishwasher door doesn't click shut, a broken door latch is a likely cause. Follow these instructions to replace it yourself.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 30 minutes or less
How to replace a dishwasher user interface control

The user interface control houses the selection buttons and display. If it fails, you can't select the cycle and settings. Follow these instructions to replace it yourself.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 30 minutes or less
How to replace a dishwasher thermal fuse

A completely dead control panel often indicates that the thermal fuse on the electronic control board is blown; follow these steps to replace a blown thermal fuse in your dishwasher.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less