How to Install a Dishwasher in 10 Easy Steps

Installing a new dishwasher is a complicated process and requires you to have proper tools and basic knowledge of the dishwasher.

If you are a beginner looking for the dishwasher installation process, you’ve come to the right place. Though you will find instructions to install the dishwasher in the dishwasher owner manual. 

But, beginners may find it difficult to understand or read the manual. In this article, we are going to discuss in depth how to install a dishwasher in depth.

I suggest you read the full article first, and you can start the installation process. 

What are the tools required to install a dishwasher?

Before we discuss how to install a dishwasher, make sure you have listed tools and supplies in hand. Having these tools while replacing your old dishwasher with a new one is very important. 

1. Cordless Drill
2. Screwdrivers
3. Measuring tape
4. Level
5. Adjustable wrench
6. Socket wrench
7. Parts that you got with the dishwasher

These are some of the tools that you must have while installing the dishwasher.

Besides this, you will also require a water line installation kit, power cord, flashlight pliers and towel. If you have these tools, you are good to go. 

Things to keep in mind before installing the dishwasher

If you are a beginner, chances are high that you may not know much about the dishwasher and its component.

Therefore, here we have listed some things you should consider for successfully installing your dishwasher. 

1. Measure the size of the compartment where you are installing the dishwasher. You should measure the compartment from the floor to the countertop and ensure that your dishwasher fits in the compartment. 
2. If you are installing it for the first time in your kitchen, make sure to install your dishwasher near the sink. If the sink is farther from the dishwasher location, you need to use a long valve to pass water inside the dishwasher. 
3. Determine how you will drain the waste from your dishwasher. 
4. Power is another thing that you should consider before installing the dishwasher. You need to install a separate circuit for the dishwasher. If you are unable to install the circuit, extend the power cords. 

These are some of the things that you should consider before the installation of the dishwasher. 

How to uninstall the dishwasher?

Before you start the installation procedure of your new dishwasher, you need to uninstall your dishwasher safely. Here is the stepwise instruction to do this:

1.    Disconnect the power

The dishwasher is electronic; therefore, the first thing you should consider when uninstalling the dishwasher is disconnecting the power from the source.

Locate the circuit breaker of your dishwasher and flip the breaker into the off position.

You can simply plug out the cord if your dishwasher is directly connected to the home electrical system. 

2.   Disconnect the water supply

After disconnecting the power, it’s time to disconnect the water supply.

If your dishwasher water supply is connected to the home water supply unit, you will mostly find it under the kitchen sink.

Locate the metal valve in your dishwasher and follow the water supply connection. 

3.   Disconnect drain hose

The dishwasher drain hose runs from the dishwasher to the sink drain of your dishwasher. Locate the drain hose at the garbage disposal.

Loosen the hose clamp using a screwdriver until it is fully free. Pull the drain hose;

you may experience some water link, so make sure to put a towel or any clothes underneath the dishwasher drain sink. 

4.   Remove the dishwasher from the cabinet

If you have fully disconnected the power, water and drain hose from your dishwasher. Now, it’s time to remove the dishwasher from the cabinet.

Most dishwashers are secured with a screwdriver around the kitchen cabinet. Locate all these screws and unthread them using the screwdriver.

Once you have removed all the screws from the cabinet, pull the dishwasher. 

How to install a dishwasher?

A dishwasher installation requires three main connection power cord connection, water supply connection and drain line connection.

Among these power, cord connection is difficult to work on, especially for beginners or DIYers.

Here we have categorized the dishwasher installation process into 9 steps.

Follow the below step if you have already uninstalled your old dishwasher. 

1.    Remove the dishwasher cover

First, remove the dishwasher from the box and prepare it for installation.

Remove the plastic wrapping and cut the box along the dotted line or as prescribed by your manufacturer.

Remove the foam and cardboard from the box. Put some cotton clothes on the floor and lay the dishwasher.

Open the dishwasher door and remove the interior foam of the dishwasher. 

2.   Attach the Electric Cord

Once you remove the dishwasher from the cover, attach the electric cord.

In most dishwashers, an electrical connection can be found at the bottom of the dishwasher.

As we have laid the dishwasher on the floor, it will make it very easy to set up the electrical connection on our dishwasher.

All you need to do is unthread the screw securing the lower access panel and remove the bottom access panel if required.

Locate the power cord connection or fittings. The power cord is usually secured with the panel, so unthread the screw and remove the steel panel.

Here, you need to connect wires from the appliance’s power cord.

Remove the plastic cover from the cord, and you will find the green, white and black wire. 

Connect the green wire to the grounding screw, the white wire to the white leads, and the black wire to the black lead.

The wire connection can be different from the dishwasher, so I recommend you to check the owner manual and confirm it. 

3.   Install the elbow

If you have successfully attached the power cords, now hook the water supply in the dishwasher.

I recommend you check the kit you got along with your dishwasher.

There you will find a brass elbow. Remove the plastic covering from the brass elbow.

Locate the solenoid valve there; you will find the inlet fitting.

Before you connect the elbow, make sure to apply the pipe joint compound to the opening.

Align the elbow onto the solenoid valve and tightly secure it using an adjustable wrench. 

4.   Attach Water Supply Line

After successfully installing the brass elbow, I recommend you install the water supply valve on another side of the elbow.

Check the dishwasher connecter kit; there, you will find a braided steel water supply valve.

Remove the covering of the valve and align it to the elbow. Secure the valve onto the elbow using an adjustable wrench.

Since it is a compression fitting, it does not require a pipe joint compound. 

5.    Connect the Drain Hose

Some dishwashers are already equipped with a drain hose, and some aren’t. The dishwasher drain hose needs to be connected to the drain pump.

The drain pump is located at the bottom of the dishwasher. First, remove the bottom access panel of the dishwasher and then locate the drain pump.

Connect the hose onto the drain pump and tightly secure it with a hose clamp. Make sure there should not be kinks in the hose during the installation.

Similarly, if the hose is long, you can trim it down to the perfect size.

6.   Position the Dishwasher

Turn the dishwasher up and slide it into the kitchen counter. Make sure to put the power cord, water inlet valve and drain hose through the holes.

Push the dishwasher half inside the kitchen counter or cabinet. Use the adjustable leg and raise the dishwasher depending upon your requirement. 

Unscrew the leg using pliers or an adjustable wrench to raise the dishwasher’s height and level it.

After adjusting the leg, make sure that the dishwasher is in a straight position and tilted more towards the right or left. You can test using the level.

If the dishwasher is not in position, straightly pull the dishwasher from the kitchen counter, adjust the position of your dishwasher and push it inside the kitchen cabinet. 

7.    Anchor the Dishwasher

Push the dishwasher fully inside the kitchen cabinet if you are okay with the dishwasher placement.

Now search for the screws provided by your manufacturer to fasten the bracket of the cabinet.

Open your dishwasher’s door, locate the mounting bracket, and install the screw onto it.

I recommend you use a screwdriver; it will save you time fastening all the screws into the mounting bracket.

8.   Connect the Water Supply Tube

If you are done installing the dishwasher inside the kitchen counter. Now I recommend you connect the water supply tube to the sink.

As mentioned earlier, install one if you don’t have an additional sink for the dishwasher.

If you already have a sink, connect the water inlet pipe to the sink and gently tighten it using the adjustable wrench.

Turn on the sink and check for water leaks. If water leaks from the supply tube or under the dishwasher, gently tighten the fitting again. 

9.   Connect the drain hose and garbage disposal

Now connect another end of the drain hose and garbage disposal pipe. Install the drain hose to an air gap mounted on the countertop of the dishwasher.

Secure the hose with the metal clamp and make sure that it is not loosely coupled around the countertop. 

After connecting the drain hose, connect the garbage disposal pipe to the kitchen sink.

First, I recommend you turn off the water source and connect the garbage disposal pipe to the kitchen sink.

Make a hole if there is no hole to connect the drain hose in the kitchen sink. 

10.  Test the Dishwasher

Now, read the user manual and the instructions to start or run the dishwasher.

The dishwasher will take some time to start the cycle because it requires water to run the cycle.

Once the dishwasher fully loads, you can start an empty cycle in your dishwasher.

If the dishwasher throws an error code, put the detergent in the soap dispenser and try again. 

Conclusion

I hope you have read the full article on How to install a dishwasher. In this article, we discuss the stepwise procedure to replace the old dishwasher with a new one.

Installation of the dishwasher can be a tedious process if you are a beginner, but with this guide, you can easily install the dishwasher without any problem. 

The process of installing the dishwasher is the same in every model and brand.

Similarly, the procedure we discuss in this article will apply to all brands of dishwashers. Besides this, if there is any query regarding the dishwasher, write it below in the comment. 

Frequently Asked Question