What to do when your KitchenAid dishwasher won't fill
- Check the door latch. Close the dishwasher door fully so it latches; otherwise it can’t fill. Replace the door latch if it's damaged.
- Clear the overfill float. Something stuck in the overfill float, also called the mushroom float, prevents the dishwasher from filling. Open the door and pull out the bottom dishrack to access the overfill float. If you find a chicken bone or plastic cover under the float, remove it.
- Make sure the water supply is turned on. Check if the dishwasher water supply valve is turned on. You'll likely find this valve under the sink or in the basement under your dishwasher. You might be surprised at how many people shut this valve off when they go on vacation and forget to turn it back on.
- Look for a clog in the water inlet valve screen. Shut off the water supply valve and unplug the dishwasher. Remove the mounting screws and pull off the bottom front access panel and toe panel. Disconnect the water supply line from the inlet valve. Use a mirror to check for a clogged inlet screen. Replace the water inlet valve if you find the screen clogged. If you try to clean the screen instead of replacing the valve, debris from the clogged screen can get into the valve body, causing the valve to stick open and possibly flood your kitchen.
- Other possible failures. If all of the above troubleshooting didn't help you resolve the problem, then a failed water inlet valve, wiring break in the fill circuit or a defective electronic control board could be preventing the dishwasher from filling.
How to fix a KitchenAid dishwasher that leaks
Don't ignore a leak from your dishwasher. Water can quickly damage your flooring or subflooring.
If water leaks from the bottom of the door, a damaged or stuck spray arm could be causing a wave action inside the washer tub that has water sloshing over the front lip of the tub. Check the spray arms for damage and make sure they spin freely after loading the dishwasher. Other causes of leaks from around the front door include a loose or broken door hinge and a damaged door seal.
Leaks under the dishwasher can be caused by a leaking drain line, broken heating element water seal, leaking pump and motor assembly or leak in the water inlet assembly.
For help finding the source of the leak, check out our dishwasher leaks troubleshooting video.
Where to order your KitchenAid dishwasher parts
Sears PartsDirect is an easy choice for all your KitchenAid repair part needs. Search for the part number to find exactly what you need. Sears PartsDirect sells genuine KitchenAid replacement parts.
When you need KitchenAid dishwasher repair, trust the pros at Sears Home Services to fix the problem.