To maximise the life of your appliance, here are a few tips:
Recurrent breakdowns
Your dishwasher does not start
First of all, check whether the dishwasher is plugged in and that there are no problems in the home’s electrical system that could prevent it from starting. Once the installation has been checked, if your dishwasher still does not show any sign of starting after being switched on, check that the door is closed properly. In fact, most of the appliances have a safeguard that prevents the machine from starting if the door is not completely closed. If you can hear the machine draining but it does not fill up, check the water supply, the solenoid valve filter, and then the solenoid valve itself.
Your dishwasher is overflowing
If your machine overflows at standstill, it may be a leakage problem. Check the solenoid valve, or have it checked by someone else. If the overflow occurs during filling, the problem may come from several parts depending on the design of your unit, the pressure switch, the hose, the compression chamber or the filler, if it is equipped with one.
The washing arms no longer rotate
Namely, it is the water pressure that allows the washing arms to rotate, so you will have to check there is no residue or limescale obstructing the water outlet ports. If not, it could be a problem with the pump or starting condenser. Finally, try making sure (either yourself or by someone else) that water is arriving to the dishwasher by removing the arms and operating your device.
Water supply problems
Sometimes, your dishwasher can get stuck due to a clogged water drain or a safeguard due to a door that doesn’t close properly. Here’s a little trick to make sure that the door closes properly. Empty and dry the inside of the machine, insert a lit torch into the tank, then close the door with the lights off. You should not see any light escaping. If you do, there is a problem, probably a gasket needs to be replaced.
Problems with draining
First of all, you should know that a little standing water at the bottom of your dishwasher’s tub is perfectly normal, but if your appliance fills up with water, then you know something is wrong. The best thing to do first is to disconnect your appliance from the electrical mains to avoid any risk of short-circuit. You can then check that nothing is obstructing the collector on the back of the tank and prevent water from draining out. Otherwise, make sure that the hose through which the water flows (usually connected to the kitchen sink pipe) is not blocked either and that the hose is not bent.
Problems with leaks
Leaks can be caused by clogged or broken parts, a faulty gasket or a punctured hose. The first thing to do in the event of a leak is to switch off the appliance and disconnect it from the mains. Be careful not to leave the electric lead too close to the leaking water.
Tip
Most recent dishwashers display fault codes, which will make it easier for you to identify the problem you are encountering. The operating instructions for your appliance contain all the explanations necessary for interpreting them.