Hobart Dishwasher Troubleshooting
Like any equipment that gets used on a daily basis, commercial dishwashers can experience a few hiccups from time to time. But don’t worry! We have a list of Hobart dishwasher troubleshooting tips, so those dirty dishes and tableware don’t stack up. Depending on the model, some of the problems below also have specific Hobart dishwasher error codes assigned to them, which are included as well.
This guide applies to AM14, EcoMax, CL44E, C-Line door-type and LX/LXe/KXi undercounter dishwashers.
Dishwasher Not Turning On
If your Hobart dishwasher doesn’t have a display, it might not be turned on. Try these possible solutions to get it back up and running again.
- Unit is turned off - It’s possible the unit wasn’t turned on or was turned back off. Just turn the unit on to get it going again.
- Power cord is unplugged or damaged - The cord may have been left unplugged or gotten knocked out. Check to see if the unit is plugged in and if it is, inspect the power cord for frays. It’s possible the power cord needs replacing.
- Blown circuit breaker - The issue could be resulting from the circuit breaker. Try resetting it to remedy this issue.
- “Door open” code displays - Try opening and closing the door to solve the problem. If the code still displays, contact an authorized technician for assistance.
Associated Display or Error Code: “DOOR OPEN” or “dr” “op”
Machine Not Filling or Filling Incorrectly
There are a few factors that could prevent your Hobart dishwasher from not filling with water properly. Below are some common issues:
- Low or no water pressure – If the water pressure is low, see if the hose strainer is clogged or the pressure in your facility meets the proper requirements for your machine. When there’s no pressure, check if the main water supply valves are working. If not, have them replaced by an authorized technician.
- Machine needs to be cleaned – Scale and lime buildup can cause several issues with your machine. Also, look specifically at probes to see if they’re dirty and clean them. Follow the cleaning and deliming instructions in your owner’s manual to ensure you prevent your Hobart dishwasher from not filling with water.
- Opened drain valve – If your unit won’t fill enough, Hobart recommends turning the machine off and turning it back on. Repeat this step twice to help clear any drain valve obstructions. When the machine enters “ready” mode, press wash. Open the door slowly and wait at least five seconds later and check the water level. Close the door and wait about 30 seconds before checking it again. If the water level is not the same as it was, repeat the on-off procedure.
- Leaking fill solenoid valve – When your machine fills too high, check if the fill solenoid valve is leaking. Power the dishwasher off and see if the water continues to flow into the machine. If so, contact an authorized technician to fix the issue.
- Unleveled machine – If your Hobart dishwasher isn’t level, this could cause the unit to overfill. Have the unit leveled by an authorized technician.
Associated Display or Error Code: “E0,” “E2,” “E3” or “E4” on LX18 and LX30 models and “DR1 PRBLM,” “FILL1 PRBLM,” FILL2 PRBLM” or FILL3 PRBLM” on LX40 models
Hobart Dishwasher Not Draining
When your commercial dishwasher won’t drain properly, check if the drain pipes are restricted. See if your unit’s drain line has kinks or blockages, and remedy the issue as soon as possible. If that isn’t the case, power your machine off. Wait several seconds before powering back on, and repeat the process again if no draining occurs. If the problem isn’t resolved and you can’t seem to drain your Hobart dishwasher yourself, contact an authorized technician to assist you.
Dishes Aren’t Clean or Spotting on Silverware & Glasses
Whenever your dishes, silverware and glasses are dirty or have spotting, look for the following issues:
- Obstructed or dirty wash arms – If your unit has dirty or obstructed wash arms, remove the blockage and clean thoroughly using your manual’s instructions. On select LX series models, check for similar issues with the unit’s rinse arms.
- Strainers clogged – Blocked strainers cause insufficient water supply to your unit’s pump. Unclog and follow the cleaning instructions in your owner’s manual.
- Low water temperature – When “WASH” displays, your machine should have a temperature above 120°F on chemical sanitizing models and 150°F on other models.
- Racks loaded incorrectly – Improperly loaded racks could leave dishes, glasses and silverware dirty. Check your owner’s manual for proper loading instructions.
- Low water pressure or insufficient filling – Check if the hose strainer is clogged and that the pressure in your facility meets the correct requirements for your unit. Bad pressure not only impedes the cleaning of items, but it also won’t fill your machine to what is required. On some models, you may need to adjust the cycle timer.
- Hard water – If the water in your facility is hard, have a softener installed and/or use a rinse agent.
- Detergent dispenser clogged – See if your machine has a clogged detergent dispenser. Clean it out using the instructions in your unit’s manual.
Damage to Dishes & Other Items
Whenever you notice etching, scrapes or other damage to anything you’re cleaning, consider the following:
- Etching – If there’s etching, this could be caused by a combination of high water temperatures, soft water, high-alkaline cleaning solution or soft glass.
- Chipping – Incorrectly loading the machine can cause items to come in contact with each other, causing chips and cracks.
- Tarnishing – Don’t wash silver and pewter dishes in the machine that uses chemical sanitizers.
- Pitting – Stainless steel can pit when in contact with certain foods like vinegar, salt and fruit juice.
- Marks and staining – Black and gray marks could come from items being rubbed with aluminum. Brown and dark stains could come from high iron in the water.
- Wear and rusting – Certain plastic and wooden items can wear from high temperatures. Check if either is dishwasher safe. If cast-iron items experience rust, they also might not be dishwasher safe.
- Fading patterns – When patterns on china begin to fade, it could be from high water temperatures and / or strong detergents. Check if the china is dishwasher safe.
Excess Food Remains in the Dishwasher
This means that the unit hasn’t been cleaned properly. After each use, clean the dishwasher to clear the drain of any excess food materials. This will help the unit drain better and prevent buildup and odors.
Low Temperature Readings
If the water isn’t at the correct temperature, look for the following issues:
- Rapid cycle use – Whenever the incoming water temperature is low and the cycle use rate is high on your unit, this will cause an inadequate demand to clean your dishes and tableware.
- Low temperature from supply – When washing, your Hobart dishwasher should have a temperature above 120°F on chemical sanitizing machines and 150°F on other models. Make sure to change the setting if necessary.
- Heavy ware loads – Overloaded racks can actually cause the wash water to cool down. Check your owner’s manual for proper loading instructions.
- Low booster or sump heater – Contact an authorized technician to resolve this issue. On LX40H models, you can set the value higher.
Water Tank Not Heating
If the water tank isn’t heating properly on your Hobart dishwasher, you’ll want to check the following:
- Heat flow is blocked – Check the hoses for debris as well as the connections for any kinks or damage that could cause the heat flow to be cut off.
- Low water supply – Check the water levels to ensure that this isn’t the issue. If it is, make sure the unit is level and check the water supply hoses for damage or leaks.
- Circuit breaker has tripped – Make sure there’s power going to the dishwasher. This could mean a blown fuse or a tripped circuit breaker.
- Standpipes are not properly sealed – Look over the standpipes to make sure the seals are tight.
Chemicals Not Feeding Properly
When chemicals aren’t feeding into your machine, the following could be the problem:
- Kinked tubes – Check for smooth bends, and unkink any tangled tubing that feeds chemicals into your unit.
- Air leaks – Look for air leaks at your machine’s feeder hose connection. Snugness typically is a sign of this issue.
- Low chemicals – A low amount of chemicals could be the reason for improper feeding. Check your machine’s levels.
Hobart Dishwasher Has Rust Inside
Noticing rust inside of a dishwasher is a problem. In order to prevent this, leave the door open to dry out after use. To get the rust off, follow these steps:
- Clean aggressively – Use a mild detergent and a sponge to deep clean the unit. Don’t use steel wool to clean the machine.
- High iron in the water – Test your water supply. There could be high amounts of iron causing the rust to form. Correct the water supply to avoid rusting the unit.
Need a little more help with your door-type or undercounter dishwasher? Check out our assortment of Ecomax by Hobart manuals, Hobart diagrams and dishwasher error code guide for additional troubleshooting tips.