A dishwasher not spraying water can be caused by multiple factors. It may be a blockage in the spray jets, overloaded with dishes, a blocked pump, float switch malfunction, water valve issue, or a water pressure problem. The below troubleshooting methods for a dishwasher not spraying water work with all dishwashers including Bosch, Frigidaire, GE, Kenmore, Kitchenaid, LG, Maytag, Samsung, and Whirlpool.
Check This First!: Verify the dishwasher is getting water from the water supply valve on the wall, and the water supply valve on the dishwasher itself.
MORE INFO – Dishwasher Is Not Filling Up With Water – How To Fix
What Causes a Dishwasher To Not Spray Water?
1. Spray arm is clogged.
2. Dishwasher is overloaded.
3. Blocked Dishwasher pump.
4. Overfill float switch malfunction.
5. Water supply issue.
6. Water pressure problem.
How To Fix a Dishwasher Not Spraying Water
This page will show how to troubleshoot your dishwaser yourself. We will explain all the components that will cause a dishwashwer to not spray water. This will help you to repair the issue yourself.
Spray Arm Nozzle Blocked/Clogged
The spray arms can accumulate hard water in the jets. This causes water to not spray out with force therefore not cleaning your dishes. Be sure to clean the spray arms to remove the hard water that has built up. Use an object such as a toothpick or other tool to open up the water jets on the dishwasher spray arms. Be sure the spray arms on top and below are spinning properly. Spin them by hand to be sure they spin freely. If you find a spray arm to be unrepairable, it will need to be removed and replaced. Below is how to remove and replace a dishwasher spray arm.
Dishwasher Not Spraying? How To – Spray Arm Replacement
Dishwasher Is Overloaded
Too many dishes jammed into the dishwasher can cause it to not spray and clean your dishes. If a dish or cup in the dishwasher is up too high, it can prevent the spray arm from spinning freely. Also, too many dishes can make it difficult for the dishwasher to efficiently clean all dishes. Rearrange or remove some dishes to remedy the issue.
Blocked/Clogged Dishwasher Pump
Check to be sure the pump filter is not clogged. The filter is located at the bottom of the dishwasher. Remove the filter and clean it under warm water. Anything that has broken (dishes/cups) or food particles can accumulate and clog the pump filter. If particles have gotten down into the dishwasher pump, it will need to be cleaned out.
Overfill Float Switch Malfunction
When the water fills the dishwasher, it turns off when it gets to a certain level. This is done by the overfill float switch. This device consists of a float and a microswitch. If the float is damaged or faulty, it may turn the water off and the dishwasher will not fill with water. Check this switch and adjust or replace if needed.
Dishwasher Water Supply Problem
Inspect the water valve on the wall (usually connected under the sink and to the hot water valve) to be sure it is OPEN. The water valve can be located by following the water line that comes out of the dishwasher. Check the water supply valve on the dishwasher. Be sure it is not clogged or leaking. The water supply valve is usually located on the left lower side under the front access panel.
Dishwasher Not Cleaning? Water Valve Testing Troubleshooting
Water Pressure Issue
Your household water supply could be too low. Check to see if the water supply can fill a one quart jug within 9-10 seconds. If so the water pressure is good. Household water pressure needs to be from 20 to 120 PSI for appliances to work properly. We have seen some issues where the water valve outside of a home is not fully open. Check the water valve outside of your home to be sure it is fully open and functioning properly.
Extra Step: Check the chopper area in the bottom of dishwasher for broken glass or other debris. If the food chopper cannot function, this can prevent it from spraying water through the spray arms.
Repair Parts For Dishwashers
Repair Parts For Dishwashers
These repair methods work with all dishwashers including Bosch, Frigidaire, GE, Kenmore, Kitchenaid, LG, Maytag, Samsung, and Whirlpool.
Further Help: If all troubleshooting methods have been exhausted and the dishwasher still does not spray water. You may have a major pump issue. Dishwasher pumps cannot have a clog or blockage. If you know for sure the pump is clean and free of blockages, you will need to troubleshoot further and test the pump to see if it is faulty. Here is how to clean/test/diagnose a dishwasher pump…
Dishwasher Pump Diagnosis/Replacement Tutorial
What is the best way to troubleshoot a dishwasher not spraying water? What parts or components need to be checked to get the dishwasher to spray water? Need assistance? Please leave your question below including your dishwasher model number and we will assist.
My newer Whirlpool dishwasher worked great until today when I opened it from the night before and the soap pack was still half left in the dispenser and there was soap on the plates. I thought someone interrupted the cycle so I just rinsed some things off and put in another pod and started it again.
As I’m in the kitchen I noticed that it sounded different, then my daughter opened it out of nowhere (like they do!) and I noticed NO STEAM-NO WATER! That’s the problem!! It’s running through the cycles but no water at all is coming in…
We checked the filter, the valve, all good…SOMEONE PLEASE HELP?!?!
Thank You!
We have a Kenmore Ultra Wash dishwasher, Model No. 66516032402.
It appears that water is flowing into, and out of all of the openings/ports in the upper Dishwasher Spray Arm (Part No. WP8535083). It also appears that water is flowing into, and out of the two openings/ports in the Water Feed Tube Spinner (Part No. 8193983) located at the end of the water feed tube. Unfortunately neither of these two items are spinning/rotating when the dishwasher is running.
The lower Dishwasher Spray Arm (Part No. 8268311) does spin and appears to be working properly.
Any thoughts on what might cause the upper dishwasher spray arm and the water feed tube spinner to not spin/rotate?
Thanks.
Kenmore 665.16033403
Middle spray arm has water just pouring from bottom holes- doesn’t spray from top holes, and arm doesn’t spin (I can spin it freely). I replaced small top spray; water still not coming from this.
Bottom spray arm seems fine, and water fills and drains fine.
I had the exact same problem with the same model – twice! The bracket that holds the three wires coming out of the control board comes off, and the wire on the right vibrates loose just enough to lose the connection. Pushed it in, and everything works again. Thanks for the reminder!
I have a whirlpool dishwasher and I have checked the Waterfill pump there’s water in the line because I took the line off on the side of the dishwasher and turned it on and it felt a bucket up the problem is the dishwasher is not filling up with water do you have any suggestions
Same problem. Low pressure on a Maytag. Just finished cleaning the filter and now the top two blades don’t spin. Replaced water inlet valve. Float switch continuity fine. No kinked hoses.
I have the exact same model. Had the exact same issue. I disassembled the door and looked at the control board. One of the cables was loose so when the control board would call for the circulation pump it would never come on.
Maytag model mdb4949sdz0 serial f70930847. Will not spray. Its fills, water supply is good, not inlet valve. Float switch tested good. Pulled circ pump motor and bench tested good. No clogs or blockages. It fills but circ pump never comes on. It sits then drains like it is done.
Frigidaire gallery dishwasher. Replaced water inlet valve and water intake valve. Spray arms will not spin.
I’ve got a Kenmore dishwasher.
Water runs through on the first cycle and goes through the Jet sprayer just fine.
Second cycle there is no water.
I cleaned everything.
It’s like it overheats.
Please help!
Hello. My Samsung dish washer is not working properly. The bottom dishes come out clean but the top rack is not clean.
I have taken the spinning rod off which is under the top basket and cleaned it, and it is totally clear. When the dishwasher is on…there is water coming out of it, but not enough pressure to clean the cups and glasses on the top rack. This is a new problem. I would appreciate a suggestion. Thank you
Hello
Own Asko model 5646. Dishwasher will not spray water. Can hear water coming into the machine but then nothing. Water is not being sprayed around.
Could this be the circulation pump?
Thanks Carolyn
Kitchenaid ktde104ess2 fills with water doesn’t do anything else.
Installed brand new 2years ago,ran once to make sure it ran haven’t used it since till now.
Cut power at breaker for 5 minutes to clear, drill won’t work
Lower spray arm not rotating. Got error code 6-4. But technician thinks its the pump. Is there a way to test without replacing expensive parts. Kitchenaid kdte104ess.
Item number 3 looks reads very promissing until you go down, and the description is about the screen filter.
Please re-write number 3 to say screen blockage. When it reads blocked pump, i am hoping for a step-by-step takedown on the motor unit to look for damaged parts within. Thank you
Would a missing spray arm nut keep the unit from spraying during it’s cleaning cycle?
We have hard water and used CLR to unclog the spray arms. I just don’t think removing hard water residue with a toothpick would be very effective.