■Detergent remains in the covered section of the dispenser Is the cycle complete?
Is the detergent lump-free? Replace detergent if necessary.
■White residue on the front of the access panel
Was too much detergent used? Refer to the “Detergent Dispenser” section.
Is the brand of detergent making excess foam? Try a different brand to reduce foaming and eliminate buildup.
■Odor in the dishwasher
Are dishes washed only every 2 or 3 days? Run a rinse cycle once or twice a day until you have a full load.
Does the dishwasher have a new plastic smell? Run a vinegar rinse as described in “Spotting and filming on dishes” later in this Troubleshooting guide.
■Condensation on the kitchen counter (built-in models)
Is the dishwasher aligned with the countertop? Moisture from the vent in the dishwasher console can form on the counter. Refer to the Installation Instructions for more information.
Dishes are not completely clean
■Food soil left on the dishes
Is the dishwasher loaded correctly? Refer to the “Loading” section in the Consumer Reference Guide.
Did you choose the cycle that describes the most difficult soil in your dishwasher? If you have some items with heavier soils, use a heavier cycle.
Is the water temperature too low? For best dishwashing results, water should be 120°F (49°C) as it enters the dishwasher. Refer to the “Performance Tips” section.
Did you use the correct amount of fresh detergent? Use recommended dishwasher detergents only. Refer to the “Detergent Dispenser” section. Do not use less than 1 tb
(15 g) per load. Detergent must be fresh to be effective. Store detergent in a cool, dry area. Heavy soil and/or hard water generally require extra detergent.
Is detergent caked in dispenser? Use fresh detergent only. Do not allow detergent to sit for several hours in a wet dispenser. Clean dispenser when caked detergent is present.
Is the pump or spray arm clogged by labels from bottles and cans?
Is the home water pressure high enough for proper dishwasher filling? Home water pressure should be 20 to
120 psi (138 to 828 kPa) for proper dishwasher fill. A booster pump on the water supply can be added if pressure is
too low.
Are high suds slowing the wash arm? Do not use soap or laundry detergents. Use recommended dishwasher detergents only.
Spots and stains on dishes
■Spotting and filming on dishes
Is your water hard or is there a high mineral content in your water? Conditioning the final rinse water with a liquid rinse aid helps eliminate spotting and filming. Keep the rinse aid dispenser filled. Always use a high-temp option. If your water hardness is 13 grains or above, it is strongly recommended that you install a home water softener. If you do not wish to drink softened water, have the softener installed onto your hot water supply.
Is the water temperature too low? For best dishwashing results, water should be 120°F (49°C) as it enters the dishwasher. Refer to the “Performance Tips” section.
Did you use the correct amount of effective detergent? Use recommended dishwasher detergents only. Refer to the “Detergent Dispenser” section. Do not use less than 1 tb
(15 g) per load. Detergent must be fresh to be effective. Store detergent in a cool, dry area. Heavy soil and/or hard water generally require extra detergent.
Is the home water pressure high enough for proper dishwasher filling? Home water pressure should be 20 to
120 psi (138 to 828 kPa) for proper dishwasher fill. A booster pump on the water supply can be added if pressure is too low.
NOTE: To remove spots and film from dishes, try a white vinegar rinse. This procedure is intended for occasional use only. Vinegar is an acid, and using it too often could damage your dishwasher.
1.Wash and rinse dishes. Use an air-dry or an energy saving dry option. Remove all silverware or metal items.
2.Put 2 cups (500 mL) white vinegar in a glass or dishwasher-safe measuring cup on the bottom rack.
3.Run the dishwasher through a complete washing cycle using an air-dry or an energy saving dry option. Do not use detergent. Vinegar will mix with the wash water.
■Silica film or etching (silica film is a milky, rainbow-colored deposit; etching is a cloudy film)
Sometimes there is a water/chemical reaction with certain types of glassware. This is usually caused by some combination of soft or softened water, alkaline washing solutions, insufficient rinsing, overloading the dishwasher, and the heat of drying. It might not be possible to prevent the problem, except by hand washing.
To slow this process use a minimum amount of detergent but not less than 1 tb (15 g) per load. Use a liquid rinse aid and underload the dishwasher to allow thorough rinsing. Silica film and etching are permanent and cannot be removed. Do not use heated drying.
■White spots on cookware with nonstick finish
Has the dishwasher detergent removed cookware seasoning? Reseason cookware after washing in the dishwasher.
■Brown stains on dishes and dishwasher interior
Does your water have high iron content? Rewash dishes using 1-3 tsp (5-15 mL) of citric acid crystals added to the covered section of the detergent dispenser. Do not use detergent.
Follow with a Normal wash cycle with detergent. If treatment is needed more often than every other month, the installation of an iron removal unit is recommended.
■Black or gray marks on dishes
Are aluminum items rubbing dishes during washing? Disposable aluminum items can break down in the dishwasher and cause marking. Hand wash these items. Remove aluminum markings by using a mild abrasive cleaner.
■Orange stains on plastic dishes or dishwasher interior
Are large amounts of tomato-based foods on dishes placed in the dishwasher? It may be necessary to use a stain removal product to remove stains from your dishwasher. Stains will not affect dishwasher performance.
Dishes do not dry completely
■Dishes are not dry
Did you load your dishwasher to allow proper water drainage? Do not overload. Refer to the “Loading” section in the Consumer Reference Guide. Use a liquid rinse aid to speed drying.
Are the plastics wet? Plastics often need towel drying.
Is the rinse aid dispenser empty? Refer to the “Rinse Aid Dispenser” section.
Did you use an air-dry or energy-saving dry option? Use a heated drying option for dryer dishes.
