Don’t forget the maintenance
Clean your machine at least a few times per year. We cover the details in our article about how to clean your dishwasher, but the short version is this: Whenever you sniff a lingering odor, spot some mineral-scale buildup, or notice a drop in cleaning performance, start by cleaning the filter. If that doesn’t work, run a self-cleaning cycle with some kind of acidic cleaner or a product designed specifically for dishwasher cleaning. If your dishwasher continues to smell, clean the seal and other superficial parts. Bacteria, fungus, mold, and mildew grow in dark places, and the corners and seal of a dishwasher are no exceptions.
If those first steps don’t fix your performance problems, or your dishwasher throws up an error code, you can try to do some troubleshooting. We recommend checking out Repair Clinic or any similar DIY-repair resource for checklists and video tutorials to help you diagnose the problem. Start with this basic video. There’s a good chance you’ll be able to resolve the problem on your own—or at least get an idea of what’s wrong before you call for service.
Liam McCabe wrote the original version of this article, which was published July 29, 2021. The latest version of this article was edited by Ingrid Skjong.
