Dishwasher not cleaning properly

Troubleshooting

1. Ensure your dishwasher is properly loaded, as overloading can block the spray arms. Ensure dishes are arranged to allow for water circulation; find out more in our ‘How to load a dishwasher’ article.
2. Next, check that your filter isn’t blocked with debris. A dirty filter can slow down water flow, reducing cleaning efficiency. Inspect the spray arms for any blockages, as trapped food particles or grease build-up can prevent them from rotating freely and distributing water evenly. Read our ‘How to unblock a dishwasher’ to learn how to identify and effectively clear a clogged dishwasher step-by-step.
3. Could you be using the wrong detergent? An expired detergent or using an incorrect detergent for your dishwasher could lead to poor cleaning results. We advise using 3-in-1 dishwasher tablets and keeping rinse aid topped up.
4. Do you need to top up your salt levels? Salt is just as important as detergent. Read our ‘Where does dishwasher salt go?’ guide about why using salt in your dishwasher is essential for better cleaning results and keeping water soft.
5. Finally, ensure that you’ve selected the correct program for your load. Also, it’s worth bearing in mind that the temperature of the cycle may not be hot enough so won’t clean as well either. For optimal cleaning, the temperature should be ideally between 49°C and 65 °C. Find out more in our ‘How long is dishwasher cycle?’ article.

If your dishwasher is still not cleaning properly, and you’ve explored every avenue as we’ve advised, you may need to contact an engineer to diagnose and resolve.

We recommend regular maintenance of your dishwasher, whether freestanding or integrated, to prevent any issues from arising. This includes cleaning the inside and outside of your dishwasher, checking and cleaning the filter and spray arms and running a hot water cycle to blast any bacteria. Some smart dishwashers connect to your smartphone or smart speakers and can offer advice and alerts on maintenance, and if you’ve a top brand like a Bosch dishwasher or an AEG dishwasher, you won’t want the expense of an early replacement. Our ‘How to clean a dishwasher’ guide gives you all the information you need to effectively clean your dishwasher and how to maintain it.