Wondering what's going on in there?
How a dishwasher cleans, in plain English
A dishwasher doesn't scrub. It sprays hot, soapy water at your dishes over and over, catches the food in a filter, and sprays again. If any part of that loop is weak, food stays on.
- Hot water comes in. A valve lets water from your hot water line fill the bottom. Cool water here means a weak clean.
- A pump pushes it up. The wash pump sends water up through the spray arms.
- The spray arms spin. Water shoots out small holes and spins the arms, one under each rack. Clogged holes leave dry spots.
- The soap cup opens. Partway through, the cup on the door pops open. If a tall dish blocks it, the soap never gets out.
- The filter catches food. Dirty water falls through the filter and gets sprayed again. A clogged filter means dirty water goes back on the dishes.
So dirty dishes usually mean one of these:
- A clogged filter or spray arm.
- Water that isn't hot enough.
- The wrong detergent, no rinse aid, or a blocked soap cup.
- Rarely, a weak pump or water valve.
Water sitting in the bottom after a cycle? See our guide to a dishwasher that's not draining.
Dishes clean but still wet? See our guide to a dishwasher that's not drying.
Rather not do it yourself? Call an appliance repair tech.
That's a fine choice. Maybe you're busy. Maybe you're selling the house and just want it done right. An appliance repair tech can check the pump and spray parts and get it cleaning again.
Most repair companies charge $60–$150 to come out, and many put that toward the repair. A pump with a new motor is $400–$600.
Find dishwasher repair near you
Find dishwasher repair near me →Opens Google Maps. We don't ask for your number.
What to say
Calling a pro? Here's what to say.
A few lines to read when they pick up, and the questions to ask before anyone comes out.
Before you call
Say this
Hi. My dishwasher isn't getting the dishes clean. When's the soonest you can get here? And what's your fee for the visit? Does it go toward the repair?
Always ask
- What's your fee to come out, and does it go toward the repair?
- Do you work on my brand, and can you bring the likely part on the first visit?
- Will you tell me the full price before you start any work?
Watch out if
- They push a brand-new appliance on the first visit for a small problem.
- They won't give you a price before starting.
- They want you to pay for parts before they've found the problem.
Feeling pushed to decide on the spot? You can say no and hang up. You owe nothing for a phone call.
Answer up to 5 quick questions. We'll give you the words a pro uses.
Answer the questions →More of a list person?
Common symptoms, causes, tests and costs
Find the row that sounds like your dishes. The quick test is something you can check yourself in a few minutes.
| What you notice | What it probably is | Quick test | Do it yourself | With a pro | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food left on dishes; filter full of gunk | A clogged filter | Twist out the filter and look | Free | $50–$100 | FIXSee the answer: A clogged filter |
| Food left on, often on one rack; an arm won't spin or holes are plugged | The spray arm holes are clogged | Spin each arm and look at the holes | Free | Not needed | FIXSee the answer: The spray arm holes are clogged |
| Dirty dishes; a spray arm is cracked | A spray arm is cracked | Look at each arm closely | Free | $75–$100 | FIXSee the answer: A spray arm is cracked |
| Gritty soap or film; the sink takes a long time to run hot | The water isn't hot enough | Time how long the sink takes to run hot | Free | Not needed | FIXSee the answer: The water isn't hot enough |
| Film or food left on; old, clumpy or too little detergent | The wrong detergent, or not enough | Look at your detergent | Free | Not needed | FIXSee the answer: The wrong detergent, or not enough |
| Cloudy glasses or white spots; rinse aid empty | The rinse aid is empty | Check the rinse aid window on the door | Free | Not needed | FIXSee the answer: The rinse aid is empty |
| Dirty spots behind big items; soap left in the cup | The way it's loaded blocks the water | Close the door slowly and watch the soap door | Free | Not needed | FIXSee the answer: The way it's loaded blocks the water |
| Everything checks out, but dishes still come out dirty | Weak spray: the wash pump or water valve | Open it partway through a wash: is there water in the bottom? | Pro job | $80–$600 | CALLSee the answer: Weak spray: the wash pump or water valve |
2026 U.S. averages, rounded. Pro prices include parts and labor. Most repair companies charge $60–$150 to come out, and many put that toward the repair. Nights, weekends and big cities cost more. See all repair prices
Want proof it's spraying?
The mid-cycle peek
This shows whether water is filling and spraying, without tools.
- Start a normal cycle with the dishwasher empty or lightly loaded.
- After about 10 minutes, unlatch the door and open it slowly. Most dishwashers stop when you unlatch them. Keep your face back from the steam.
- Look and listen.
- Water in the bottom, and the arms are wet all over: it's filling and spraying. Look at the filter, detergent and loading.
- Little or no water in the bottom: the water may not be coming in well. Check that the valve under the sink is open, then call a pro.
- Water in the bottom, but the top arm is dry: the top arm is clogged or blocked, or the pump is weak.
Close the door firmly. It picks up where it left off.
Not sure it's safe to keep running?
Turn it off right away if…
- You smell burning or see smoke.
- Water is on the floor. See our guide to a dishwasher that's leaking.
- Suds pour out the door. That usually means dish soap went in. Stop it, and wipe up the suds.
- The breaker trips when it runs.
Turn it off at its switch, or at the breaker, before you reach inside.
Got a big repair quote?
Should you repair it or replace it?
Most cleaning problems cost nothing to fix. When it's a part, HomeAdvisor lists dishwasher repairs at $70–$600, about $200 on average. Ask yourself three things:
- Which part? A spray arm is about $75–$100 installed. A wash pump with its motor is $400–$600.
- How old is it? Maytag says some key parts are covered up to 10 years on some models. Check your warranty first.
- The half rule. If the repair costs more than half the price of a new dishwasher, replacing it often makes more sense.
Example: a $100 spray arm on a 4-year-old dishwasher is worth fixing. A $550 pump and motor on a 12-year-old one is worth comparing with a new one.
Ran into a word you don't know?
Dishwasher words, explained
The drawings show roughly what each part looks like.
- Filter
- The strainer in the floor of the tub that catches food. Most twist out to clean.
- Spray arm
- A spinning bar with small holes that sprays water up at the dishes. Most dishwashers have two or three.
- Detergent cup
- The little door inside the main door that holds the soap and pops open during the wash.
- Rinse aid
- A liquid that helps water slide off dishes so they dry without spots. It goes in its own cap on the door.
- Hard water
- Water with a lot of minerals. It leaves white spots and film on glasses.
- Wash pump
- The motor-driven pump that pushes water up through the spray arms.
- Water inlet valve
- The valve that opens to let water into the dishwasher.
- Model tag
- The sticker with your model number, on the edge of the door or the side of the tub.
Still have questions?
Questions people ask most
Why is my dishwasher not cleaning dishes?
A dishwasher that's not cleaning most often has a clogged filter or spray arm. Next come water that isn't hot enough, old detergent, no rinse aid, and dishes that block the spray. A weak pump is less common.
Is a dishwasher that's not cleaning an emergency?
A dishwasher that's not cleaning is not an emergency, and it's safe to keep using while you sort it out. Turn it off if you smell burning, see water on the floor, or its power keeps cutting out.
Why is the top rack of my dishwasher not cleaning?
The spray arm under the top rack is probably clogged or blocked. Spin it by hand and clear its holes. Make sure nothing on the bottom rack sticks up into its path.
Why are my glasses cloudy after the dishwasher?
Cloudy glasses usually mean hard-water spots. Fill the rinse aid, use enough fresh detergent, and run the sink hot before you start. Maytag says pods reduce film better than powder or gel.
Why is the detergent still in the cup after a cycle?
Detergent left in the cup usually means something tall blocked the cup's door. Keep big items off the front of the bottom rack. Cool water can also leave soap behind.
Should I rinse dishes before the dishwasher?
You don't need to rinse dishes before the dishwasher; just scrape the food off. Whirlpool says scraping is enough.
How often should I clean the dishwasher filter?
Clean the dishwasher filter about once a month, or more if you don't scrape plates. It takes about 10 minutes.
Who do I call when my dishwasher won't clean?
Call an appliance repair tech if the dishwasher still won't clean after you've cleared the filter and spray arms. Most fixes on this page are free and take a few minutes, so try those first.
How much does it cost to fix a dishwasher that won't clean?
Most fixes for a dishwasher that won't clean are free. A new spray arm is about $75–$100 installed. A wash pump runs $150–$350, or $400–$600 with the motor (HomeAdvisor).
How we built this
The questions follow the order an appliance tech checks a dishwasher that isn't cleaning: what's left on the dishes, then the filter, the spray arms, the hot water, and the detergent and loading. Each answer makes some causes more likely and others less likely.
Prices are 2026 national averages from published repair-cost guides, rounded. Your local prices will differ.
- Whirlpool, why is my dishwasher not cleaning dishes properly (read October 2026)
- Maytag, 5 reasons why your dishwasher is not cleaning (read October 2026)
- HomeAdvisor, dishwasher repair cost (June 2026)
How we make money: some links go to parts stores that pay us a small commission, and some pro listings pay us when you call them. Verdicts come from the diagnosis, not from who pays more.