When Your Dishwasher Has Problems

Is It Broken, or Just Misunderstood?

Modern dishwashers do a lot more than just spray water and soap. They have complex wash cycles, numerous sensors, and are more efficient than models from just a short time ago. With all that technology, it’s easy to assume something went wrong if the machine acts a little different. In many cases, though, nothing’s broken at all — it’s just a matter of misunderstanding how the appliance works.

Understanding the Modern Dishwasher

At River City Appliance, we receive calls from concerned homeowners who believe their dishwasher has stopped working. Often the issue isn’t a mechanical failure, but a quirk of modern design. Perhaps you have had one or more of the following concerns:

“It Takes Too Long to Finish a Cycle”

Modern dishwashers run much longer than older models — sometimes close to three hours. That’s an intentional design. Longer cycles increase the odds that every dish comes out spotless. What’s more, due to improvements in design, most dishwashers run longer, but still use less water and lower heat to save energy. Unless an error code appears, what seems like an extended wash time actually points to normal operation.

“It’s Not Drying the Dishes”

To meet energy-efficiency goals, many dishwashers skip the heated dry feature or reduce its intensity. Without this dry setting, water tends to remain on some dishes, especially on plastic items or those with slight depressions in their shape. This doesn’t mean the dishwasher failed to do its job. If leftover water bothers you, a little rinse aid tends to solve the problem.

“It Smells Bad Even When It’s Clean”

Foul smells usually come from particles trapped in the filter or spray arms. While the dishwasher looks clean, these food particles build up out of sight. Rinsing the filter regularly and scheduling a monthly cleaning cycle with vinegar or a dishwasher cleaner tablet usually solves the problem. No repairs needed! (You can request regular maintenance visits to clean your dishwasher filter by contacting River City Appliance in Sacramento.)

“It’s Not Spraying Water”

This is usually an easy fix. At times, spray arms clog due to Sacramento’s hard water. In other cases, a heavy pan or tall dish blocks the spray arm from turning. If your soap is not dissolving, check that nothing interferes with the movement of the wash arms. A little repositioning often restores full function. Check the nozzles on the spray arms for clogged calcium deposits. If the nozzles are blocked, clearing them with a small pick if often sufficient to restore water flow.

“It Won’t Start”

This dishwasher problem causes a lot of stress, especially after loading a full rack of dirty dishes! Before calling for help, check the door latch. If the door doesn’t click into place, the machine won’t start. Also, check that your machines’ control lock or delay-start feature wasn’t activated by accident. Double-checking these items may resolve the issue in seconds.

A Little Understanding Goes a Long Way

Dishwashers are designed to operate smarter, quieter, and more efficiently, but they also behave differently than older models. Many owner concerns are due to normal features, not failures. Still unsure about whether your dishwasher is performing correctly? That’s when experience counts!

River City Appliance serves Sacramento and the surrounding area. With over 35 years of trusted appliance repair expertise, our technicians know the difference between a real issue and a design feature. Honest answers, skilled service, and a local team that treats your home with care are what set us apart. Contact River City Appliance today!