11 Solution | Whirlpool Dishwasher Not Washing [Quick Fix]

Whirlpool Dishwasher not washing

Is your dishwasher not washing? Is your not adequately cleaning dishes after the cycle? There are various reasons for Whirlpool Dishwasher not washing.

The dishwasher often gets short circuits and minor problems that could stop the dishwasher from washing away dishes.

When it comes to Whirlpool dishwashers, it is one of the most renowned dishwashers and other appliances manufacturer in the market.

Whirlpool dishwashers are very powerful yet advanced dishwashers that one could have at home.

It comes with cutting-edge technology and features that make it one of the popular dishwashers in the market.

Unfortunately, some situations or problems could stop the Whirlpool dishwasher from washing. 

Today we are going to discuss how to fix the dishwasher not the washing problem. Moreover, we will also discuss issues that could stop the dishwasher from washing.

Moreover, we will also help you fix the problems depending on the problem. 

Why Whirlpool Dishwasher not Washing?

When there is a problem in the water supply pipe or inlet valve, it could stop the dishwasher from washing dishes.

Similarly, most of these minor issues can be fixed by resetting the dishwasher.

But, not every problem can be fixed by resetting some problem requires special treatment.

Here we have brought 10 different issues that could stop the dishwasher from washing. 

11 Reasons Why Whirlpool Dishwasher not Washing & Solution 

Circulation Pump

Whenever the circulation pump gets broken, your dishwasher might not work correctly.

As similar to detergent dispenser circulation pump also uses a motor and impeller to pass water on the dishwasher.

The problem arises when the circulation pump starts to malfunction or break. 

Now, the problem is how to identify whether the pump is broken or malfunctioning.

Whenever the circulation pump gets malfunctions is broken dishwasher produces humming sounds.

This is a straightforward trick with which you can identify this particular problem.

If it is not making any humming sounds, there should be another issue, or you need to open up the screw to identify the problem.

Solution

If you are sure about the humming sounds in your dishwasher, then follow the below instructions:

  1. First of all, check if the electricity reaches the motor or not.
  2. Check the pump housing and ensure that the impeller is rotating properly. There should not be any debris, and the impeller should be able to rotate correctly.
  3. If there is a problem while rotating the impeller or debris, consider changing the pipe. 

Water Pump Belt

The water pump belt used to be in an older model dishwasher, and nowadays, it has been disappeared in the newest dishwasher.

In a whirlpool dishwasher, a Water pump belt is located at the bottom of the motor. In order to access the water pump, you need to access the lower panel. 

Over the period, the water pump belt gets stretched or sometimes broke. The dishwasher may not wash the dishes properly or stop in this situation. Water pump belts can replace and repair quickly.

Solution

Here is what you should do in order to identify the problem:

  1. First of all, turn off the dishwasher and then locate the lower panel in your dishwasher.
  2. Remove the lower panel and then locate the motor of the dishwasher.
  3. After this check the bottom of the motor there you should see the water pump belt. If it is broken or stretched, you should change it. You can find the water pump belt in any hardware store or Amazon. 

This problem can also be fixed on your own if you have tools. If you don’t, then I will suggest you call your technicians or ask for help in whirlpool customer support.  

Center Wash Arm Assembly

There are different arms in the Whirlpool dishwasher, lower centre, and upper. If any of the arms stop workings or encounter such issues.

These arms are responsible for washing specific racks in the dishwasher. 

There are various situations we can consider for this problem. But, one of the major reasons behind this problem is clogged.

When the wash arms get filled or clogged with debris wash arm may not function properly. Sometimes the arms may not be adequately assembled with water supply pipes. 

Solution

Arms stop functioning when the tiny holes in the dishwasher arms get clogged. Moreover, it can also stop working when there is a problem with water supply arms.

This issue can be fixed by clearing all the tiny food particles or debris from the dishwasher arms.

Moreover, make sure to check the water supply line in the dishwasher arms. This could prevent dishwasher arms from spilling water into the dishes.

If water is not passing through arms, call for whirlpool support or technicians. 

Lower Wash Arm Assembly

There are multiple arms in the dishwasher that clean specific racks.

If the dishes in lower racks are not washed properly, there needs to be a problem in the lower wash arms. Various reasons could cause this issue. 

The wash arm may get filled with tiny food particles or debris that could stop it from passing water to the dishes.

Sometimes wash arm assembly may not function properly when the water pipe is not aligned with the arms. It is not a major issue to worry about quickly fixing this problem by yourself.

Solution

When the lower racks, dishes are not cleaned or washed properly. There needs to be a problem with the lower wash arm.

Tiny food particles can clog the wash arm from passing water. You can fix this issue by removing all tiny food particles from the dishwasher arms.

If the problems persist, check if the wash arm and water supply pipe are correctly aligned or not. 

Water Inlet Valve

The water inlet valve is the main valve that allows water to enter the dishwasher.

Any problem in the inlet valve could terminate the entire water supply inside the dishwasher.

The water inlet valve may not function when filled with debris or tiny food particles. 

If you are using a dishwasher under extreme pressure, it could break the water inlet valve from proper functioning.

Inlet valve can be replaced, but you have to call technicians to replace it. Replacing on your own is not recommended.

Solution

It is not recommended to clean or change the inlet valve on your own because it could worsen the existing problem. The water inlet valve requires technicians to clean the clogged dirt.

The problem in Circulation and Drain Pump

In every whirlpool dishwasher, two main pumps supply water in the dishwasher. Any problem in these cold leave your dishes with dirt.

The circulation pump has a motor and impeller that supply water in the wash arms. 

You can identify this issue from motor noise. When there is an issue in the circulation pump, your motor will likely produce humming sounds.

If you are able to hear this noise, then there is a problem with your motor. So, I will suggest you call technicians to fix this issue.

Solution

First of all, reset the dishwasher and see if the dishwasher is washing properly or not. If it is not washing or producing humming sounds, check the presence of debris in the pump housing.

Clean all the debris if present; if not, you need to replace the motor. So, call at Whirlpool service support center. They will help- you figure out issues or call technicians.

Upper Wash Arm Assembly

The upper wash arm is present on the upper side of the dishwasher racks that spill water in the upper shelves of the dishwasher.

Any problem in this particular arm will stop the water supply, and dishes will not be adequately clean. 

Whenever the tiny holes in the wash arm get filled or clogged. It will prevent the dishwasher from washing.

The issue can be fixed by cleaning the tiny food particles from the wash arm. If you use a dishwasher at lower pressure, you are more likely to encounter this issue. 

Solution

The simple solution for this problem is cleaning the debris from the dishwasher. If the issue persists, there needs to be a problem with the water inlet valve.

So, I will suggest you call your technicians to fix this issue.

Pump and Motor Assembly

In a whirlpool dishwasher, there is an impeller in the motor through which it passes water in the wash arms. When the impeller of the dishwasher is not working, dishes won’t be adequately cleaned. 

This issue is hard to fix and often requires technicians to fix it. So, I will recommend calling technicians. Fixing this issue on your own will add more problems to this dishwasher. 

Solutions

The impeller pumps water through the motor and sends it all across the dishwasher. Impeller stops working when it is broken, damaged, or blocked this will.

You can confirm it by checking the power supply in the circulation pump. If it is not receiving power, make sure to rest the dishwasher.

If not, call the technicians or call in whirlpool service support centre.

Wash Impeller

As mentioned earlier, the wash impeller is one of the essential parts of the dishwasher. It pumps water through the motor and sends it to different parts of the dishwasher.

The impeller is made up off using plastic materials. It can easily get broken during malfunctioning.

If your dishwasher is not receiving adequate water, there needs to be a problem with the wash impeller.

Wash impellers are not that expensive and can be easily changed. But, you can’t fix it on your own you should have proper tools to repair it.

Solution 

Some Whirlpool dishwasher model requires a whole motor assembly to fix this issue. In contrast, some need just an impeller.

So make sure to check the whirlpool official website and see if the impeller is changeable or requires a whole pump and propeller. 

Upper Wash Arm Spinner

If your dishwasher is not circulating adequate water during a cycle, the upper wash arm should have some problems.

When you have a problem with the upper wash arm, your dishes may not get clean properly or notice dirt after the cycle. 

Wash arms are prefabricated holes that release water under certain pressure and help you clean out dishes.

Sometimes these tiny holes become clogged with tiny food particles, which will prevent the upper wash arm from functioning properly. 

Solution

The first and foremost thing that you can do is run the cycle with high water pressure and after this rest the dishwasher.

Now check if the dishwasher is washing properly or not. If it is not washing, pick a toothbrush and clean all the debris present in the wash arm.

After this, the dishwasher should function properly. If the dishes are not adequately cleaned even after cleaning the wash arm.

I will suggest you check the upper, center, and lower arms and see if the wash arm is releasing water or not. 

May Also Required:-

Conclusion

These were some of the 11 problems that could stop the dishwasher from washing. If your Whirlpool dishwasher not washing, then make sure to look into these problems.

Moreover, we have also discussed the solution for each situation so that you can fix the issues on your own.

I hope that the article was helpful for you. If you have any problem related to the dishwasher, make sure to comment on your problem. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Whirlpool dishwasher not washing?

The Whirlpool dishwasher stops washing when there is a motor or water pipe problem. There are various situations where your dishwasher stops washing due to these problems. 

How to fix the dishwasher stops washing problem?

If your dishwasher fails to restart the new cycle of wash dishes, you can try resetting the dishwasher. In most cases resetting the dishwasher solves most of the problems in the dishwasher.

Why my wash arm is not releasing water during the cycle?

If your wash arm is not releasing water during the cycle, it needs to be blocked. When the wash arm gets blocked, the water will be released in small pressure, which will not adequately clean dishes. 

I am Kevin Technician and this website is created with the purpose to help common people to find proper information about Dishwasher. Feel free to comment or email your queries.