I’ll never forget the day my dishwasher just stopped working. I loaded it up, pressed “Start,” and waited for the comforting sound of water rushing in. But nothing happened. The machine made its usual humming noise, but… no water.
At first, I thought, Maybe I forgot to press the button? So, I tried again. Still no water. That’s when I knew I had a problem. Was my dishwasher broken? Would I have to wash everything by hand now?
If your dishwasher isn’t filling with water, don’t panic! Most of the time, it’s a simple fix. Let’s go step by step and get your dishwasher running again—before you get stuck scrubbing plates in the sink!
Step 1: Check the Water Supply (Is the Water Actually On?)
I know this sounds way too obvious, but trust me—you’d be surprised how often the problem is just a turned-off water valve.
How to Check:
✅ Find the water supply valve under the sink—it’s usually a small lever or knob connected to a hose leading to your dishwasher.
✅ Make sure it’s fully open. (Turn it counterclockwise to open it.)
✅ Run the kitchen sink—if no water comes out, there might be a bigger plumbing issue.
💡 Pro Tip: If you recently had plumbing work done, your water supply might have been turned off and forgotten about!
✅ If turning the water back on solves the issue—congrats, you fixed it!
❌ Still no water? Let’s move on.
Step 2: Check the Float Switch (It Might Be Stuck!)
The float switch is a small plastic part inside your dishwasher that prevents it from overfilling. If it gets stuck in the “up” position, the dishwasher thinks it’s already full—so it won’t let any water in.
How to Find & Fix It:
1️⃣ Open the dishwasher and look for a small, round plastic float at the bottom (usually near the front corner).
2️⃣ Gently lift it up and let it drop.
3️⃣ If it feels stuck, wiggle it a bit or clean around it—it might just be gunked up with food debris.
💡 Pro Tip: If the float switch is stuck because of grease buildup, wipe it down with warm, soapy water.
✅ If your dishwasher starts filling after this, you’re good to go!
❌ Still dry inside? Let’s check the inlet valve.
Step 3: Inspect the Water Inlet Valve (It Might Be Clogged or Broken!)
The water inlet valve is what controls the flow of water into your dishwasher. If it’s clogged or defective, your dishwasher won’t get any water at all.
How to Check It:
🔹 The inlet valve is located behind the bottom access panel (below the dishwasher door).
🔹 You’ll need a screwdriver to remove the panel.
🔹 Look for a small metal or plastic valve with a water hose attached to it.
How to Fix It:
✅ Check for clogs—if you see mineral buildup or debris inside, clean it with vinegar.
✅ Listen for a clicking noise—if the valve doesn’t make a sound when the dishwasher tries to fill, it might be broken.
✅ If it’s faulty, replace it—a new water inlet valve costs around $20-$50 and is easy to swap out.
💡 Pro Tip: If you live in an area with hard water, mineral deposits can clog the inlet valve over time—cleaning it regularly can prevent this problem!
✅ If the inlet valve was clogged and you cleaned it, test your dishwasher—it should start filling now!
❌ Still no luck? Let’s check the door switch.
Step 4: Test the Door Switch (The Dishwasher Might Think the Door Is Open!)
Your dishwasher won’t fill with water if it thinks the door isn’t fully closed. If the door switch is faulty, it might not be signaling the dishwasher to start.
How to Check It:
1️⃣ Close the dishwasher door firmly and listen for a click.
2️⃣ If there’s no click, the door switch might be misaligned or broken.
3️⃣ Press the latch manually with your finger to see if it moves freely.
🛠 How to Fix It:
✅ If the latch is loose, tighten the screws.
✅ If the switch is broken, replace it—door switches usually cost around $15-$30 and are easy to install.
💡 Pro Tip: If your dishwasher starts working when you push the door harder, the latch might just need adjusting!
✅ If fixing the latch gets your dishwasher filling again, problem solved!
❌ Still dry inside? One last thing to check.
Step 5: Check the Dishwasher Filter (It Might Be Clogged!)
If your dishwasher has been struggling to drain properly, a clogged filter could be stopping it from filling, too.
How to Clean It:
1️⃣ Open the dishwasher and remove the bottom rack.
2️⃣ Locate the filter (usually a round or rectangular cover at the bottom).
3️⃣ Twist and pull it out, then rinse it under warm, soapy water.
4️⃣ Scrub away any food debris or grease buildup.
💡 Pro Tip: If your filter is full of gunk, your dishwasher might not only stop filling but also smell terrible! Cleaning it once a month can prevent future issues.
✅ If the dishwasher fills up properly after this, you nailed it!
❌ Still not working? It might be an electrical issue—time to call a technician.
Run a Test Cycle & Celebrate!
Now that you’ve checked the water supply, float switch, inlet valve, door switch, and filter, it’s time to run a test cycle.
🔹 Start the dishwasher and listen for the sound of water rushing in.
🔹 If everything works fine, congrats—you just saved yourself a repair bill!
🔹 If the dishwasher still won’t fill, it might be a more serious electrical issue (like a faulty control board), and you might need professional help.
I know how annoying it is when your dishwasher won’t fill with water—especially when you’re staring at a sink full of dirty dishes. But now, you know exactly what to check and how to fix it!
✔️ Make sure the water supply is turned on.
✔️ Check if the float switch is stuck.
✔️ Inspect the water inlet valve for clogs or damage.
✔️ Make sure the door switch is working properly.
✔️ Clean the dishwasher filter to keep things running smoothly.
By following these steps, you just saved yourself the frustration of hand-washing dishes—and maybe even a costly repair bill!
Now go enjoy the sound of a fully functional dishwasher doing its job again! 🚀🎉
