Why Doesn’t Your Dishwasher Fill With Water?

Out of all the dishwasher repair problems you may face, a dishwasher that won’t fill with water is one of the most frustrating. After all, the sole purpose of the appliance is to clean, and it simply can’t complete its job without a steady supply of water. This problem may bring dysfunction to your kitchen, but it can be resolved with the proper repairs. To help you fix your dishwasher, we’ve collected some information on the common causes of a dishwasher that will not fill with water.

Close up image of dishwasher

Faulty Float Switch

The dishwasher float switch monitors the amount of water in your appliance, ensuring it does not fill up with too much water. Once the float reaches a preset level, it switches off to prevent the dishwasher from creating a flood. But if the float is broken or stuck, it may not allow your unit to fill with water at all.

To check the float, you’ll need to unplug your dishwasher and remove its lower rack in order to access the float assembly cover. Remove the cover and inspect the float by trying to move it up and down within the dishwasher. It should move very easily, and if it doesn’t, you should clean the area around the float to ensure it can move properly.

It’s also possible that your float is not receiving the power it needs to operate. To check this, you’ll need to test the float switch using a multimeter. For assistance with this test, you can contact a professional dishwasher repair technician.

Defective Water Inlet Valve

The water inlet valve provides a steady stream of water to your dishwasher, and a defective valve is a common cause of a dishwasher that won’t fill. To solve this issue, you’ll definitely want to inspect the inlet valve for any possible problems.

The dishwasher’s water inlet valve is located behind the kickplate panel at the bottom of the appliance, and features a series of hoses connected to it that bring water into the dishwasher. First, you should check these hoses for loose connections or kinks, both of which can cause problems with the unit’s water supplies. You should also check the valve’s filter screen, as clogs in the screen can prevent water from entering the dishwasher.

Inspecting a dishwasher’s water inlet valve can be a tricky endeavor, especially for inexperienced homeowners. Be sure to enlist a certified appliance repair expert for help checking this component.

Malfunctioning Door Switch

Your dishwasher will not fill with water unless it is properly shut, and a malfunctioning door switch can impede your appliance’s ability to recognize when it’s open and when it’s closed.

First, you should make sure that your dishwasher door closes properly. Inspect the door gasket to see that it is properly installed, and check around the closed door to see that it is tight and secure. If the door itself closes properly, your problem is likely with the door switch.

The door switch is located in the dishwasher control panel, and can be accessed for inspection by removing the control panel door. Like with a float switch, you can use a multimeter to test the door switch. This difficult task is best left to an experienced appliance repairman.

Solve Your Dishwasher Repair Problems Today

A dishwasher that won’t fill with water is a useless appliance, and while this repair problem is frustrating, it is definitely a solvable issue. If you know why your dishwasher might not fill with water, you’ll be prepared to tackle the problem head-on.

While it’s possible to solve this dishwasher repair problem on your own, it can be quite the challenge. To ensure that your appliance is restored to proper working order, you should contact a professional appliance repair service to get the job done right.