A dishwasher is one of the most important kitchen appliances in your house. It helps you wash and clean dishes within minutes without putting in any manual effort. However, sometimes dishwashers can encounter some problems and need an inspection from an appliance repair technician. Amongst the most common problems is the dishwasher not filling with water. Let’s discuss some potential causes along with the solutions.
Water Inlet Valve
If your dishwasher is struggling to fill water, you must check the water inlet valve, which is controlled by the timer or electric control. It is responsible for filling up the dishwasher with the right amount of hot water. A water inlet valve is usually identified by its connection to the lower access panel along with an outlet house to the tub. That said, if the dishwasher does not fill, it means there might be something wrong with the water inlet valve.
To inspect a water inlet valve, you should first unplug the appliance from power and also stop the water supply to the dishwasher. Then, locate the inlet valve. It is usually on the lower left side of the appliance. Consult the user’s manual if you struggle to find it.
Once you locate the component, inspect it for cracks or damages. If the valve’s physical condition seems unusual, you might need to replace it.
Float Valve
Another possible reason might be a malfunctioning float valve. It could also prevent the dishwasher from filling with water. Essentially, this device keeps the machine from overfilling with water. The float elevates with the rising water level and when the proper level is achieved, the float will trigger the float switch that will turn off the water inlet valve.
To inspect the float valve, first, make sure that you disconnect the dishwasher. Once you have done that, consult the user’s manual and access the float. Upon identifying the float, manually lift and drop the float. It should move freely. If it doesn’t it means it is faulty and needs to be replaced. Plus, remove the lower access panel to determine if the float is mechanically engaging with the float switch.
Float Switch
As the float triggers the float switch, power to the inlet valve is disrupted, which prevents the machine from filling with water. To troubleshoot the issue, you should first disconnect the appliance from the power supply. Wear safety gloves since you will be dealing with electric wires and components. Once you have located the flat assembly, identify the float switch that should be directly sitting underneath. Then, use a multimeter to check the component. It should give a reading of infinity or zero.
Keep the probes and the terminals in contact and press the button. The multimeter’s reading should change from zero to infinity or from infinity to zero. If you do not observe the readings mentioned above, you will need a new float switch.
Door Switch
The door switch is perhaps the simplest component in a dishwasher. It simply prevents the machine from running if the door is not properly closed. So, you can load or unload the dishwasher without it running accidentially. However, the door switch can sometimes turn faulty as well. As a result, the machine will not be able to fill itself with water properly.
To check the door switch, you will need to disconnect the machine from the main power supply and separate the inner door from the outer door to access the door switch, which is typically located right behind the door panel. Then again, use a multimeter once you have removed the door switch to test the voltage.
Your reading should be infinity with the actuator not pushed in. However, you should hear a click as you press on the actuator to hear a click. This should change the reading to zero. If that is not the case, you should get the door switch replaced.
Make sure that you get the right replacement for the machine to work properly. Door switches may look the same but differ in terms of functioning.
Final Word
Concluding, dishwasher problems are usually easy to fix. The reason is that these machines mostly comprise electrical components that need replacement. However, you should always get help from a dishwasher repair Springfield expert for replacing dishwasher components and repairs as you risk injuring yourself.
