Last Updated on May 14, 2022 by
Whirlpool Dishwasher Not Spraying? Several causes might contribute to your dishwasher not spraying water when it malfunctions. It has many moving components that interact and may wear out over time.
When your whirlpool dishwasher doesn’t spray water inside, there might be an issue with the circulation pump, blades, or even the water intake valve. A lack of water spray or pressure usually indicates that these components are blocked or failed. Below are more reasons why your whirlpool dishwasher is not spraying.
Reasons Why Your Whirlpool Dishwasher Is Not Spraying Water
Overloaded Dishwasher
An overload of dishes is one issue you could have with your dishwasher. There are two risks involved. The first problem is that having too many dishes might make it seem as if your dishwasher cannot clean them since the height of the dishes prevents the water from reaching other objects. Too many dishes, especially those with a higher design, might prevent the water from spraying onto adjacent plates.
The second concern is that the weight of the dishes may cause your dishwasher to malfunction or stop operating entirely. Your dishwasher is full, but it isn’t doing its job. What are your options? Remove a fourth of the dishes from your dishwasher and reload it. If the issue is overcrowding in the dishwasher, you should see an improvement after restarting it and clicking “start.”
Problems with the Water Inlet Valve
A malfunctioning or blocked input valve is one of the most common causes of your Whirlpool dishwasher not spraying water. The intake valve distributes water from within the dishwasher to the spray arms. A water hose connects the input valve, which may get blocked with food particles and trash. Consequently, water may be unable to enter the dishwasher via the valve.
Continued obstructions might lead it to malfunction over time. If the intake valve is blocked, replacing it is the best option since cleaning it might make it more prone to failure. A replacement Whirlpool dishwasher intake valve might cost anywhere from $20 to $60.
Spray Arm Clogged or Broken
If your dishwasher isn’t spraying water, the first thing you should examine is the spray arm. This section of your dishwasher isn’t very complicated. It sprays your dishes with pressurized water from a pump, but a lot may go wrong with that procedure.
If you have hard water in your house, you should visually inspect the spray arm for lime buildup. Although a blockage may have happened farther in, the spray arm’s tiny pores are especially susceptible.
Unfortunately, the best course of action for unclogging the little holes in your spray arm is to place a short piece of wire into the holes. You may use products like Lime Away to soak the arm, but make sure the substance isn’t too caustic to harm the plastic. If the blockage was caused by hard water, we suggest investing in a water softener, at the very least, for your appliances.
Circulation Pump
The pump is responsible for forcing soapy water from the tub through the spray arm. Food particles may become stuck in this pump and affect its function. To fix this, find the circulation pump. The circulation pump may be located just underneath your spray arm. The bottom dish rack, the spray arm, and the assembly attached to the spray arm must all be removed. After that, remove the filter to have access to the screws that secure the circulation pump.
The circulatory pump should move freely and without any resistance. You should, however, remove it and physically check it for any obstructions. If there are no food particles or hair wrapped around the shaft, this component is likely broken, and you will need to replace it. This should be done last since it is a more complicated repair than the others. Typically, the filter prevents obstructions from occurring here, and the pump failing is uncommon. If all other possibilities have been explored, it is time to inspect the circulation pump.
Problems With Water Supply
There isn’t any water in your dishwasher! It might be that the water isn’t turned on or that it only takes a few minutes to heat up. If this is the case, try starting the dishwasher and listen for water pouring out of the bottom. If you don’t hear anything and the water is turned on, we’ll need to look at your water supply rather than the machine.
If your model runs more quietly, check for water in the bottom tub by opening it. The issue is not with the dishwasher but with the water supply if there is no water in the tub.
Dishwashing might be hampered by low water pressure. The low water pressure might impair the tub’s water supply, resulting in insufficient water for the dishwashing. Check to determine if there is any leaking in the home to remedy this issue. Look at the overfill float switch if the water valve isn’t the issue.
The float switch will automatically turn off if the dishwasher’s water pressure is sufficient to fill the tub. If the float switches malfunction or requires modification, you may need to tweak them to get them to work again.
Float Switch Issue
Float switches are a dishwasher safety component that prevents flooding. If too much water is in the system, the switch will turn off, and no more water will be let in. But what happens if your float switch malfunctions? When there is no water going in, the switch may believe the dishwasher is full of water and turn it off!
The float and the microchip are the primary dishwasher pieces that control the water level. You can detect whether the chip is faulty using a multimeter set to 1 ohm. If the float isn’t up to par, you’ll notice indicators such as wear and tear.
Assume your float switch is malfunctioning. Since most float switches are simple to replace and inexpensive, you’re lucky. The main difficulty is that most individuals prefer to pay a repairman rather than do it themselves. It’s entirely up to you; however, we recommend doing it yourself if you’re confident and skilled with electrical equipment.
Clogged Chopper Blade
There are elements in your dishwasher that do more than spray water and wash dishes. A chopper blade is present! Your dishwasher most likely features a chopper blade whose only purpose is to slice or eat up any food fragments into smaller pieces. Cutting food into tiny pieces makes it simpler to get it out of the washing machine when the cycle is over.
Your chopper blade should be razor-sharp and capable of chopping through anything. But what if the blade jams or becomes partially clogged? If something difficult gets in the way, this can happen. The wash pump will stop spinning if this happens. You have an issue if the whole washing function of the appliance stops working.
Cleaning a chopper blade is a difficult task. It would help if you found the chopper blade while standing in front of the machine. It might require removing access panels and any pipe in your way. After that, you’ll be able to clear out whatever’s fouling up the chopper blade. After doing it, hand-rotate the dishwashing chopper blade to ensure it rotates the next time you want to use it.
How Do You Test A Dishwasher Circulation Pump?
You must first find the engine on your dishwasher before replacing the circulation pump. Motors are normally located under the kick plate at the bottom of the dishwasher; however, this varies by brand and type. You’ll need a screwdriver or a drill to get to the panel since there are usually a few screws on top of it. Disconnect the lead wires from their harness after gaining access to the pump.
Using your multimeter, connect the probes to each pump’s terminals. If the motor reads zero (or close to zero), it’s ready to go. If it doesn’t, it’s probably malfunctioning.
What Are the Signs That Your Dishwasher Pump Is Broken?
Dishwasher pumps that malfunction might affect the dishwasher from adequately loading and draining water. Consequently, inadequate water levels may prohibit the dishwashing spray arms from working. If you think your dishwasher’s pump is broken, here’s how to check it.
On your dishwasher’s control panel, press the “Cancel” button. The drain pump will then drain any water collected at the bottom of the tub or in the drain pump hoses. After then, listen to see whether the pump’s motor is operating. You should hear this as soon as you hit the “Cancel” button. If the pump is on, but the water isn’t draining, it may be time to replace it.
Conclusion on Whirlpool Dishwasher Not Spraying?
Dinner may seem less frightening when you know you’ll have to stand over the sink for an hour after eating because the dishwasher has broken down and isn’t spraying water as it should.
However, before calling a professional or replacing the complete device, see whether the water supply is enough or if debris has built up inside the spray arm’s inner workings. If you’re still unsure which park is damaged, you can contact a repairer man to help you out.
