Troubleshooting - Whirlpool 400 series Use & Care Manual

TROUBLESHOOTING
First try the solutions suggested here and possibly avoid
the cost of a service call...
Dishwasher is not operating properly
• Dishwasher does not run or stops during a cycle
Is the door closed tightly and latched?
Is the right cycle selected? Refer to the "Cycle Selection
Chart."
Is there power to the dishwasher? Has a household fuse
blown or circuit breaker tripped?
Has the motor stopped due to an overload? The motor
automatically resets itself within a few minutes. If it does not
restart, call for service.
Is the water shut-off valve (if installed) turned on?
• Dishwasher will not fill
Is the overfill protection float able to move up and down
freely? Press down to release.
• Water remains in the dishwasher
Is the cycle complete?
• Detergent remains in the covered section of the
dispenser
Is the cycle complete?
Is the detergent lump-free? Replace detergent if necessary.
Is the bottom rack installed properly with the bumpers in the
front? Refer to the "Parts and Features" section. Reinstall the
rack 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 inthe 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 counter top? 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 "Dishwasher
Loading" section.
Is the water temperature too low? If needed, turn home water
heater up to ensure water entering dishwasher is at least
120°F (49°C). Refer to the "Dishwasher Efficiency Tips"
section.
Did you use the correct amount of fresh detergent? Use
recommended dishwasher detergents only. Refer to the
"Detergent Dispenser" section. Never use less than I 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? If you wash bottles and cans in your dishwasher, check
for labels clogging the pump or spray arm.
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? Never use soap or
laundry detergents. Use recommended dishwasher
detergents only.
• Dishwasher door will not close
Is the bottom rack in backwards? The rack bumpers must
face the dishwasher door.
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.
Is the water temperature too low? If needed, turn home
water heater up to ensure water entering dishwasher is at
least 120°F (49°C). Refer to the "Dishwasher Efficiency
Tips" section.
Did you use the correct amount of effective detergent? Use
recommended dishwasher detergents only. Refer to the
"Detergent Dispenser" section. Never use less than I 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.
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