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Dishwasher Repair

Dishwasher Repair near you

Fix dishwashers that leak, won't drain or don't clean. Tell us about your dishwasher repair project and we’ll help you find local appliance repair technicians who serve your area.

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Dishwasher repair covers machines that leave standing water in the tub, send dishes out gritty or spotted, leak onto the floor, stop mid-cycle or flash an error code. A dishwasher sits between the kitchen's hot water line, its drain and an electrical connection, usually tucked under a counter beside cabinets and flooring that don't tolerate water, so a slow leak can do damage long before anyone sees it.

A technician checks the filter and sump, the spray arms, the drain pump and hose, the inlet valve, the door seal and latch, the heating element and the controls, and reads any stored fault codes. Some problems turn out to sit in the kitchen plumbing rather than the machine: a clogged sink drain or garbage disposer, a kinked hose under the sink or a shut-off valve that doesn't open fully.

This page covers symptoms, filter and spray arm care, the drain hose connection, which trades handle water and power, installation versus repair, and when to replace.

Dishwasher not draining, not cleaning, leaking or showing an error code

  • Water standing above the filter: a clogged filter or sump, a blocked drain hose or sink connection, a clogged disposer, or a drain pump that has failed.
  • Dishes still dirty or gritty: a clogged filter, spray arm holes blocked by food or scale, tall items stopping the arms from turning, too little water coming in, or water that's still cold at the start of the cycle.
  • White film or spots: hard water, rinse aid that has run out or too much detergent; if the problem persists, the heating and fill should be checked.
  • A leak at the front: a worn or dislodged door gasket, suds from the wrong detergent, or a machine that isn't level. Underneath: a loose supply connection, a drain hose or a pump seal.
  • An error code: write down the exact code and when in the cycle it appears. Codes often point to a supply, drain, heating or leak-sensor fault, and the manual or the technician can decode them.
  • Won't start: check the door latch, the child lock, the delay-start setting and the breaker before assuming a control failure.
  • A burning smell or a breaker that keeps tripping: switch the dishwasher off at the breaker and leave it off until it has been checked.

Cleaning the dishwasher filter and spray arms

Many dishwashers use a filter that has to be cleaned by hand instead of a grinder that chops up food. When nobody in the house knows the filter is there, it clogs, and the machine starts draining slowly and cleaning poorly. A few habits prevent most of those service calls.

  • Twist out the filter at the bottom of the tub as the manual shows, rinse it under the tap and scrub it gently with a soft brush.
  • Take off the spray arms if the manual allows, clear blocked holes with a toothpick, and check that each arm spins freely by hand.
  • Load tall pans and cutting boards where they won't block the arms or keep the detergent door from opening.
  • Wipe the door gasket and the lip of the tub below the door, where food and detergent build up.
  • Keep rinse aid topped up, and in hard water use the softener setting or the cleaner the manual recommends.
  • If the manual suggests it, run the kitchen tap until the water is hot before starting a cycle, so the first fill isn't cold.

Dishwasher drain hose connection: high loop or air gap

A dishwasher pumps its waste water through a flexible hose into the sink drain or a garbage disposer. Because that drain can back up, the connection is arranged so dirty water can't flow back into the machine. The two usual set-ups are a high loop, where the hose is raised and fastened up under the counter before it drops to the connection, and an air gap, a small fitting on the sink or counter that separates the hose from the drain with open air.

Which one is required depends on the plumbing rules where you live and the manufacturer's installation instructions, and local requirements differ. Ask a licensed plumber or your municipality rather than assuming.

  • Water spilling from the air gap on the counter usually means the hose beyond it, or the drain itself, is clogged.
  • Sink water backing into the dishwasher, or a sewer smell in the tub, can mean the hose has slipped from its loop or the drain is partly blocked.
  • After a new garbage disposer goes in, the knockout plug in its dishwasher inlet has to be removed before the hose is connected.

Dishwasher water, drain and electrical connections: which trade does what

The appliance technician repairs the machine itself: pumps, valves, heaters, seals, latches and controls. The connections around it are separate work. A new supply line, a shut-off valve under the sink, a new or relocated drain connection or an air gap belong to a licensed plumber. A new circuit, outlet or junction box for a hard-wired dishwasher belongs to a licensed electrician.

Some dishwashers plug into an outlet under the sink and others are wired directly. Either way, the power should be off at the breaker before anyone removes the kick plate or opens the junction box, and the water should be off before anyone loosens the supply line.

Dishwasher installation vs dishwasher repair: what each involves

  • A repair works on the machine in place, though the technician may slide it out to reach the pump, hoses or wiring, then reinstall it and check for leaks.
  • An installation removes the old unit, checks the opening, the floor height and the mounting brackets, connects the supply, drain and power, levels the machine and secures it to the counter or cabinet sides.
  • Swapping in a similar model on existing connections is simpler than a first installation, which may need a new supply line, a drain connection, an air gap and a circuit.
  • Flooring laid after the old dishwasher went in can trap it under the counter, so mention any floor changes when you book.
  • After any installation or repair, run a full cycle and look under the sink and behind the kick plate for drips before everything is closed up.
  • Keep the base of the machine dry and clear; some models have a leak sensor there that stops the cycle when water collects.

Repair or replace a dishwasher: tubs, pumps and control boards

Drain pumps, inlet valves, door gaskets, latches, spray arms, filters and heating elements are routine dishwasher repairs. A rusted or cracked tub, a leak from the tub itself, a failed control board on a model whose parts are hard to find, or several major parts failing at once tip the balance toward replacement.

Some cleaning complaints aren't failures at all: a clogged filter, crowded racks or hard water can make a working dishwasher look broken, so rule those out first. If you do replace it, compare EnerGuide labels, and confirm the new model fits the opening height and the water, drain and power connections you already have.

Dishwasher Repair: frequently asked questions

Why is there water in the bottom of my dishwasher?

A little water around the filter can be normal on some models; the manual will say. Water standing above the filter usually means a clogged filter, a blocked drain hose, a clogged sink drain or disposer, or a failed drain pump.

Does my dishwasher need an air gap?

It depends on the plumbing rules where you live and the manufacturer's instructions, which may call for an air gap or a high loop in the drain hose. A licensed plumber or your municipality can tell you what applies.

Why are my glasses cloudy after the dishwasher?

A film that wipes off with vinegar is usually hard-water residue, helped by rinse aid and the softener setting. Cloudiness that won't come off may be etching of the glass itself, which is permanent.

How do I clear a dishwasher error code?

Look the code up in the manual first. Some clear once the cause is fixed, such as a closed water valve or a clogged filter. A code that keeps returning points to a fault the technician needs to diagnose, so note it before calling.

Can I install a new dishwasher myself?

Connecting a similar model to existing supply, drain and power follows the installation instructions. A new supply line, drain connection or air gap is a plumber's job, and a new circuit or wiring is an electrician's. Read the warranty terms too, since some require professional installation.

Sources

  1. Natural Resources Canada: EnerGuide label for appliances and room air conditioners

Written by the LokalMatch editorial team. Last reviewed September 10, 2026.

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What affects the cost of dishwasher repair

Prices depend on the details of your project. We only publish price ranges when they’re backed by real LokalMatch quote data or reliable sources. Until then, here’s what usually changes the price:

  • Type and make of appliance
  • The part that has failed and whether it's in stock
  • Diagnostic or service call fee
  • Built-in or hard-to-reach installation
  • Gas, water or venting connections
  • Same-day or after-hours service

How to compare appliance repair technicians before you hire

  • Choose a technician who services your type and make of appliance, and ask whether they carry common parts.
  • Ask what the diagnostic or service call fee is and whether it's applied to the repair.
  • For gas stoves, dryers or other gas appliances, use a technician licensed for gas work in your province.
  • Ask for the repair estimate before any work starts, so you can decide whether it's worth repairing.
  • Check what the warranty covers on parts and labour after the repair.

Questions to ask appliance repair technicians before you hire

  • Do you service this type and make of appliance?
  • What is your diagnostic or service call fee, and is it credited toward the repair?
  • Is it worth repairing, given the appliance's age and condition?
  • Will you need to order parts, and how long will that take?
  • Are you licensed for gas appliance work in my province?
  • What warranty do you give on parts and labour?

When to call a pro for dishwasher repair

  • If you smell gas near a stove or dryer, leave the home and call your gas utility's emergency line from outside.
  • An appliance that sparks, smells like burning or trips the breaker: unplug it only if it's safe to do so and call a technician.
  • A washer or dishwasher that leaks onto the floor

Dishwasher repair permits and local rules

Some dishwasher repair work needs a permit or has to meet local bylaws. Rules vary by municipality, so ask your pro whether a permit is needed and who will apply for it — and check with your city or town if you’re unsure.

Permits and licensing

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