John Tan
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Absolutely outstanding service! I'm completely satisfied with Fixera and will definitely call them again.
Repair Guide
Dishwasher Not Cleaning or Not Draining? Causes & Fixes
When a dishwasher leaves dishes dirty or water sitting in the bottom, the cause is usually a clog, a blocked spray arm or a drainage problem. Most are easy to check before you call for service.
Quick answer
- Clean the filter at the bottom of the tub - a clogged filter ruins cleaning.
- Make sure the spray arms spin freely and the holes aren't blocked.
- Water left in the bottom points to the drain hose or disposal connection.
- Don't pre-rinse too well - modern detergent needs some food to work on.
Why it's worth fixing quickly
A dishwasher that won't clean or drain leaves food residue and standing water that quickly turn smelly and unsanitary - and re-washing everything by hand defeats the point of owning one. Most causes are a clog or drainage issue that worsens as grease and food keep building, so results get steadily worse, not better. A quick clean-out usually restores it before a pump or valve actually fails.
1Clogged filter
The filter under the lower spray arm traps food and grease. If it's not cleaned every few weeks, dirty water gets recirculated onto your dishes. Twist it out, rinse it under the tap and refit it.
2Blocked spray arms
Check that both spray arms spin freely and that the small holes aren't clogged with debris or hard-water scale. Poke them clear with a toothpick and run a cleaning cycle.
3Clogged drain hose or disposal
Water left in the tub usually means a blocked drain hose or - if you have a garbage disposal - a connection that still has the knockout plug in place. Clear the hose and check the disposal inlet.
4Wrong detergent or over-rinsing
Old or caked detergent, or rinsing dishes too thoroughly first, both hurt results - modern enzymes need some food residue to break down. Use fresh detergent and just scrape, don't pre-wash.
5Water not hot enough
Dishwashers clean best with incoming water around 120°F. Run the kitchen tap hot before starting a cycle so the dishwasher isn't filling with cold water.
How to prevent it from happening again
- Clean the filter every few weeks. Twisting out and rinsing the filter under the tap is the single biggest thing you can do for cleaning performance.
- Scrape, don't pre-rinse. Modern detergent needs some food residue to work on. Scrape plates of solids but skip the thorough rinse.
- Run a cleaning cycle monthly. An empty hot cycle with dishwasher cleaner clears grease and hard-water scale from the spray arms and pump.
When to call a professional
If the filter and spray arms are clean and the drain path is clear but dishes still come out dirty - or water won't drain - the wash pump, drain pump or heating element may have failed. Our technicians can diagnose it quickly and carry common dishwasher parts.
Need a hand? See our dishwasher repair service or typical repair costs across Tacoma & South King County.
FAQ
Dishwasher repair - frequently asked questions
The most common causes are a clogged filter, blocked spray-arm holes, or over-rinsing dishes so detergent has nothing to work on. Clean the filter and arms and use fresh detergent first.
A small amount is normal, but a full pool means a clogged drain hose or, with a garbage disposal, a connection that still has its knockout plug. Clear the drain path and check the disposal inlet.
Just scrape off solids - don't rinse them spotless. Modern detergents are designed to cling to and break down food residue, and over-rinsing actually reduces cleaning.
Dishwasher repairs usually run $150-$350 depending on whether it's a pump, valve or control board. You approve a fixed price first, and the diagnostic is credited toward the work.
What Our Customers Say
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Solange Hernandez
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Excellent dryer repair service! Vlad was professional and extremely knowledgeable. Diagnosed the issue fast, fair pricing, no upselling. Gave me maintenance tips too. Highly recommend!
Romero van B.
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Vlad was outstanding. He swiftly diagnosed the issue with our icemaker and promptly ordered the replacement parts. Knowledgeable, responsive and a pleasure to work with.
Anuar Roho
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Alex came out quickly and fixed my LG dryer - it wasn't heating at all. Fair pricing, fast work and a clean repair. He even cleaned the vent and replaced the thermostat. Highly recommend!
Patricia O.
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My oven igniter went out. Called Fixera and Alex showed up within an hour. Polite, quick and friendly. Had the part in stock and charged a very reasonable price.
Tyler J.
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Bosch dishwasher was throwing an E15 code. Olek came out same afternoon, dried everything and replaced the leaking valve. Working perfectly a month later.
Sofia L.
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Our Maytag washer wouldn't spin. Vlad diagnosed a bad lid switch right away and had the part on his truck. Saved us from buying a new machine!
Megan S.
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On time, clean, fair price.
Miguel A.
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Olek was amazing and very professional. He helped me with my Samsung dryer, arrived early and quickly diagnosed the issue. Came back the next day to make sure everything was perfect. Dryer runs like new.
Firas Rabbat
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Great experience repairing my washing machine. Came same day, expedited the part and fixed it the next day, even on a Saturday. Alex was amazing and left everything clean. Highly recommended.
Lis Romeo
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I've used Fixera twice - an LG gas dryer and a Thermador microwave. Both times Alex solved the problem quickly and efficiently. I really recommend this company for their professionalism.
Kai Shimoda
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Honestly such a great experience. Olek was professional, honest and very knowledgeable. He explained everything clearly and didn't try to upsell me. My appliance works perfectly now.
Justine Goldman
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I called Fixera and they did a great job. Fast, friendly, and fair prices. Highly recommend!
Marcus W.
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Fast. Honest. Done.
Hank P.
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Called Friday evening expecting to wait til Monday. Olek showed up Saturday morning and fixed my KitchenAid mixer bowl lift. Above and beyond.
Jennifer T.
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Quick response, great communication via text the whole way. Vlad arrived in the window he promised and had our Frigidaire range working in 40 minutes.
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