How to Fix a Dishwasher that Won't Fill
Is Your Float Stuck?
My mother recently had dishwasher problems. Her dishwasher wouldn't fill with water as it should, and the repairman showed her how easy it was to fix. A dishwasher contains a float in the bottom that signals it to stop filling, and if the float is stuck, it won't be able to properly fill. The appliance repairman had a few other helpful suggestions for my parents, and by taking his advice, chances are they'll never have to fix the dishwasher float again.
Check Your Float
If your dishwasher won't fill, check the float in the unit under the bottom rack. The float is a piece that should easily move up and down, and it's generally located in a corner. It might look like a round plastic disc beneath a post. If the float doesn't move up and down freely, more than likely it's stuck, and this very well could be the source of the problem when the dishwasher won't fill.
Soften the Water
When water is hard, the float can become stuck very easily, especially if the water contains high levels of lime and other minerals. Consider investing in a water softener. You'll help keep the water pipes in your home clean and free from clogs, and appliances that use water will last much longer. A water softener will easily pay for itself when money is saved on repairs and the money saved on soap products. All types of soap will last twice as long!
Keep it Clean
Use a dishwasher cleaning product or ordinary white vinegar at least once a month. If you can't move the float up and down, chances are it's caked with minerals. Read this article on easy ways to clean your dishwasher, and with a little vinegar or a cleaning product that dissolves lime scale and rust, the float will begin working properly again. It might take a few tries and a some gentle persuasion, but after soaking in vinegar or another dishwasher cleaning solution, the float will become free and the appliance should properly fill.
Don't Use Liquid Soap
Before the appliance repairman left my parent's home, he gave my mother one last piece of advice. He recommended switching to powdered detergent instead of the liquid my mom had been using on a regular basis. He said that liquid detergent can also cause the float to become clogged, and it's not good for the appliance. This little piece of advice will save a considerable amount of money on costly repair bills, especially when a dishwasher won't fill up as it should. If your float is stuck, chances are you can fix this problem yourself!
Published by Crystal Ray - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle
Crystal Ray is an award-winning freelance writer and artist from the Chicago area. Her passion is interior design, but she also loves entertaining and crafting. She is continually developing unique and creat... View profile
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34 Comments
Post a CommentWow... you just saved me a arm and a leg!! I saw that a plastic fork was stuck in the "float" never thought of looking there.
It was the float! I thought it was something electrical like the timer, or a plumbing issue. I had no idea what that funny round thing was until I read this advice. Thank you, thank you, thank you... repair done in less than a minute.
excellent advice it was my problem thank you
I thought I had a float issue..but water isn't even getting up to the float....Help???
What if you may have broken the float? I pulled it out and re-inserted it several times trying to check it. First few times it came out with a metal washer type thing on the end of it. Now it's no longer on it. Can the float mechanism be replaced? Is it worth it? Dishwasher works if I fill it by hand. Unsure whether to bite the bullet and buy a new one or not.
Thanks so much, right on the money moved float up&down problem solved.
Thank you thank you thank you.. I was looking up new dishwashers when I seen your article. Fixed it in less than a minute and saved hundreds of dollars.
washer does not start. i can hear the timer clock, but it wont start
Thank you, that fixed our dishwasher!
May thanks for sharing this valuable information. I was about to call technician and then saw your article. Was able to fix within a few minutes. Thanks again.
Taha