Electrolux Dishwasher Troubleshooting
Electrolux dishwashers are known for their thorough cleaning abilities and stainless steel design, making them sought-after additions to many home kitchens. Although these machines are renowned for their dependability, everyday wear and tear can take its toll. If you need help with your unit, this Electrolux dishwasher troubleshooting guide will help you identify and solve issues with ease.
This information is for residential built-in dishwashers, such as the EDSH4944AS and EDSH4944BS, including units with IQ-Touch™ controls, like the EIDW1815US. For more information on diagnosing equipment issues, see our Electrolux dishwasher error codes guide.
Dishwasher Won’t Start
- Unit isn’t plugged in - Plug in the unit.
- Machine isn’t turned on - Use the “Start” button to turn on the unit.
- Door is open - Close the door.
- Cycle isn’t set correctly - Make sure that the cycle is set correctly. If necessary, refer to the user’s manual for operating instructions.
- Unit is set to “delay” - Change the setting.
- Control lock is activated - Deactivate the control lock.
- Water supply isn’t connected - Connect the unit to a water supply.
- Water pressure is too low - Reach out to an authorized plumber to address the issue.
- Circuit breaker is off or tripped/fuse is blown - Turn the circuit breaker on. If issues persist, contact a licensed electrician for assistance.
Unit Won’t Fill
- Water valve is turned off - Open the water valve.
- Door is closed properly - Shut the door completely.
Dishes Aren’t Dry
- Selected cycle doesn’t include drying - Choose another cycle that includes drying.
- Rinse aid dispenser is empty - Fill the rinse aid dispenser
- Dishes aren’t loaded correctly - Load dishes properly. If you need instructions, refer to the owner’s manual.
- Plastic items are wet - Towel dry plastic items.
- Cups with a concave bottom collect water - Place them in the unit at a tilt so that water doesn’t pool at the bottom.
- Water entering the unit isn’t at least 120°F (49°C) - Call a licensed plumber to correct the issue.
Dishwasher Not Draining
- Drain is clogged - Check the garbage disposer. If it’s full, empty it so that the unit can drain properly.
- Drain hose is kinked - Straighten out the hose, making sure it’s properly connected to the sink.
- Sink spigot is clogged - Unclog the sink spigot.
- Cycle is incomplete or on pause - Allow the cycle to complete or unpause it.
Unit Not Heating
- Heating element is faulty - Schedule an appointment with a licensed technician to address the problem.
- Thermometer is defective - Reach out to an authorized technician for assistance.
- Control board is malfunctioning - Call a licensed technician to remedy the issue.
- Incorrect cycle is selected - Choose the appropriate cycle.
Machine Runs Too Long
- Water is too cold - Connect the unit to the hot water supply.
- “Delay” option is selected - Deselect the “delay” option.
- “Sanitize” option is chosen - It’s normal for the cycle length to be longer when the “sanitize” option is selected.
- Wares are extremely dirty - Cycle length will vary based on soil level of dishes.
Unit Leaves Dishes Dirty
- Water pressure is too low - Seek out an authorized plumber to correct the problem.
- Inlet water temperature is too low - Call a licensed plumber to correct the issue.
- Dishes are too close together - Space out wares per directions in the operator’s manual.
- Improper use of detergent - Adjust detergent amount based on cycle used and water hardness.
- Incorrect cycle is selected - Choose a different cycle.
- Water is hard - Install a water softener.
- Spray arms are blocked - Make sure that spray arms can move freely.
Dishes/Glassware Have Spots, Film or Are Discolored
- Water is too hard - Set up a water softening system.
- Unit isn’t loaded correctly - Place wares in the unit according to the directions in the user’s manual.
- Rinse aid is old - Use new rinse aid.
- Rinse aid dispenser isn’t full - Add rinse aid to the dispenser.
- Water temperature is too low or too high - Schedule a service appointment with an authorized plumber to correct the issue.
- Water pressure is too low - Contact a licensed plumber to address the problem.
- Stainless steel utensils are pitted - Avoid mixing stainless steel and silver utensils when loading the machine.
Dishes Are Chipped
- Wares aren’t loaded properly - Load dishes, plates and other items in the unit properly, making sure that delicate items are in the top rack and that fragile wares aren’t touching each other.
Water Is at the Bottom After the Cycle
- Cycle has not finished or was interrupted - Let the cycle finish or complete. If issues persist, see the “Dishwasher Not Draining” section.
Unit Is Noisy
- The sound of water filling and draining is normal - It’s normal for the machine to generate some noise as water circulates in, through and out of the unit. If the noise is excessive, reach out to an authorized technician to remedy the issue.
Machine Is Leaking
- Using the incorrect detergent is causing excessive sudsing - Use the correct detergent.
- Unit isn’t level - Level the machine properly.
Dishes Appear Cloudy (Etching)
- Use less detergent (if water is soft) - Reduce detergent use if you have soft water.
- Water inlet temperature is too high - Call an authorized plumber to remedy the issue.
Detergent Left in the Dispenser Cup
- Detergent is old - Use fresh detergent.
- Spray arms are blocked - Be sure that the spray arms aren’t blocked.
- Items are blocking the detergent dispenser - Check to see if any dishes, plates or other wares are keeping the detergent dispenser from opening; if so, move them.
Vapor Is At The Vent
- Water vapor comes out during the drying part of the cycle - It’s normal for water vapor to come out of the unit during drying.
- Unit isn’t level - Ensure the machine is balanced correctly.
Machine Has An Odor
- Dirty dishes are left in the unit for too long - Wash dishes promptly after placing them in the unit.
- Unit has a “new” smell - It’s normal for the machine to have a “new” smell when first installed.
- Machine isn’t draining properly - See the “Dishwasher Not Draining” section for more information.
Dishes Have Black or Gray Markings
- Aluminum items are rubbing against other wares - Rearrange items in the unit so that aluminum utensils aren’t touching any dishes, plates or other utensils.
Unit Interior Is Stained
- Tea or coffee is staining the machine - Use an approved spot cleaner to remove the stains.
- Tomato residues are staining the interior a reddish color - These stains don’t affect dishwasher performance and will fade over time. Use the “Rinse” cycle to reduce the possibility of stains.
If you found this article helpful, take a look at the extensive collection of Electrolux manuals and diagrams on our site.