Finding clean dishes on the bottom rack and dirty ones on the top rack can be a bit confusing. Although there are many reasons for this, most homeowners often overlook the need to maintain their dishwashers. And, with time, your dishwasher may start misbehaving, and this where the problems start to come in.
Even if you don’t mind washing dishes, we must all agree that dishwashers play an important role in our homes. For parents with small kids and those who have tight schedules, owning a dishwasher can surely ease house chores.
Therefore, discovering that your dishwasher is no longer capable of cleaning dishes in the top rack can be quite inconveniencing.
The good news is, you can fix this problem at home without having to seek professional help. But to do so, you must understand the possible causes:
- Clogged top rack propeller jets
- Failure of the circulation motor
- Clogged water arms (top sprayer)
- Failure of the inlet water valve
- Clogged chopper blade
Here is a useful video providing some tips:
How to Fix a Dishwasher that Doesn’t Clean the Top Rack?
Now that you are familiar with the top 5 causes that make a dishwasher not clean dishes on the top rack. You are probably wondering if there are any solutions.
Fortunately, there are ways on how you can fix these problems. Below, we are going to discuss one cause after the other while giving you ways on how to remedy that particular problem.
i. Let’s Start with Clogged Top Rack Propeller Jets
As you may know, spray jets are responsible for cleaning dishes in your washer. It concentrates the cleaning solution and directs it to the glasses or dishes. As a result, cleaning the dishes.
However, for dishes on the top rack to be cleaned, there must be a functioning jet sprayer beneath it with several jets.
If you use hard water, then this can lead to the clogging of that particular propeller jet. Hard water is packed with minerals that accumulate on spray holes and blocks them. Provided one or two spray holes are blocked, then it will be impossible for water to flow.
Fixing a clogged propeller jet is easy. All you have to do is remove it from the top rack. Most dishwashers can allow you to disconnect the sprayer. And once you do so, you will need to test if any of its holes have been blocked.
If you notice any mineral build-up on the propeller jets, gently remove and clean them. Before doing so, always ensure that you have disconnected the dishwasher from the power source.
And after cleaning the propeller jet, re-check to confirm if it fits firmly. Test it and repeat the process if it’s not functioning.
ii. Circulation Wash Motor Failure
To know if your wash motor has failed, you need to listen to what happens when you start your dishwasher. If you don’t hear spraying within the first thirty seconds after your dishwasher is filled with water, then your circulation motor has failed.
It is quite unfortunate that the only way to fix this problem is by replacing the wash motor with a new one. But before you do so, you should seek the input of an expert technician.
iii. Clogged Water Arms (Top Sprayer)
Another common reason why your dishwasher machine may not properly clean dishes in the top rack is a clogged water arm also known as the top sprayer. Though it is not fitted in most dishwashers, for those that have this feature, they are susceptible to certain problems.
Top sprayers, similar to those underneath mount sprayers can also get clogged due to mineral build-up. The jets on these sprayers when clogged can become quite inefficient in cleaning dishes in the top rack.
Other than clogs, water pressure could also be another issue affecting the functioning of your dishwasher. This is why you should check for both before trying to fix the top sprayer.
Water pressure in the top sprayer can prevent the flow of water. And this can be confirmed by looking for leaks in the channel that directs water from the bottom of the dishwasher to the top.
If any of the above signs are visible, then your top sprayer could be the cause. You will need to disconnect it and check for the mineral build-up and confirm water pressure. Fixing a top sprayer is easier when it is disconnected from the dishwasher machine.
iv. Failure of the Inlet Water Valve
For your dishwasher to perform optimally, all its parts need to be functioning properly. After confirming all of the above and not finding any problems, the next thing you should suspect is a failure of the inlet water valve.
The inlet water valve is responsible for providing water to your dishwasher. And a lack of water or inadequate water pressure can make it hard for the water to reach and wash dishes in the upper rack.
To confirm if the inlet water valve is failing, you need to remove it from the machine. But before doing so, look for damage on the water hose. Should you find any, replace or repair the water hose. And if it’s in perfect condition, proceed to remove the valve and replacing it with another.
To remove the valve, you will need the right set of tools. Start removing after turning off the breaker in your electric panel. In most dishwashers, the inlet water valve is always located at the bottom.
You might, therefore, have to move it so that you can unscrew it.
To install a new inlet water valve you will need to reverse the steps you did. Before buying a new inlet water valve, confirm its model and if you are unsure, ask the manufacturer for clarification.
v. A Clogged Chopper Blade
The final culprit that could be behind dishes not getting properly cleaned when they are in the top rack is a clogged chopper blade.
The role of this piece of equipment is to reduce into fine particles the food that was stuck on the dishes. Or those that were on top of your plates when you put it in the dishwasher.
Accumulation of food particles can clog a chopper blade. As a result, you will always find food particles in the dishes on the top rack. Modern-day dishwashers come with self-cleaning filters. You, therefore, don’t have to recheck the filter.
This is not the case for old school dishwashers. You must check the manual water filter at least once a month.
To remove dirt in the filter, you don’t need any special tools because it is located somewhere on the washer. You will need to open the filter and clean the filter with a soft toothbrush. If it has been a while before you cleaned the filter, proceed slowly to avoid damaging the filter.
Other Possible Reasons Why Your Dishwasher May Not be Cleaning the Top Rack
Above, we have only covered some of the more technical reasons why your dishwasher may not be cleaning the top rack. However, there are a bunch of other reasons why your dishwasher may not be doing so and still be working perfectly. They include the following;
Debris or Large Food Articles on the Dishes
Despite your dishwasher being an efficient machine, you can’t expect it to be 100%. Debris or large food particles might be hard for your washer to remove. It’s always best if you can pre-wash the dishes and remove particles that are big or hard to remove.
A pre-rinse not only ensures that your dishwasher does a marvelous job but it is a maintenance strategy that will prolong its life.
Don’t forget that dishwashers rely on mechanical movement, and if you make its job harder, its chances of malfunctioning are high.
The Wrong Type of Detergent
If your dishwasher is fairly new and it’s not able to clean the top rack, your detergent may be to blame. The type of detergent matters a lot especially if you are using hard water. Kindly adhere to the manufacturer’s instruction on which detergent to use and those to avoid.
Low Water Temperature
Low water temperature may not remove grime and oil from the dishes. And that could be why plates are coming out still dirty. Ideally, the water in your dishwasher should have a temperature of 120 to 150 degrees. You should test that and if it’s lower, adjust the temperature setting in your dishwasher.
Know When to Contact a Service Technician
The above steps will help you fix a dishwasher that is not cleaning the top rack. However, if you still run into the same problem after doing all the above, then its high-time you contact a service technician. The expert will determine the cause and give you a possible solution.
Also, if a procedure seems too technical for you, it is better if you seek help than proceed to do the wrong thing.
Please check if your warranty has expired. If not, you can contact your provider who will, in turn, send a contractor to fix your dishwasher.
For those who have home warranties, it will cover the entire cost of repairing a faulty dishwasher.