A dishwasher that stops working puts you straight back at the sink. We repair freestanding and built-in dishwashers at homes across Johannesburg. The technician tests the machine in place, slides a built-in model out only when the repair needs it, and tells you what's wrong and what it will cost before any work starts.
Many dishwasher problems start with something small: a clogged filter, a blocked spray arm or a kinked hose. We'll show you what to look after so it doesn't happen again. When it's a part, such as a drain pump, an inlet valve, a heater, a door latch or a control board, we replace it.
Common dishwasher faults we fix
Won't drain
Standing water in the bottom usually means a blocked filter, a drain hose that's kinked or blocked where it joins the sink waste, or a drain pump that has failed or jammed on a piece of glass or a bone.
Not cleaning properly
Gritty glasses and food left on plates point to blocked spray arm holes, a dirty filter, a weak circulation pump or a heater that isn't warming the water.
Not filling with water
Check that the tap under the sink is open. If it is, the inlet valve, the inlet hose filter or a float switch is the usual cause.
Leaking
Water at the front often comes from the door seal or from too much detergent foaming over. Water underneath can mean a loose hose, a cracked sump or a pump seal.
Dishes still wet
Empty rinse aid is the simple answer. If that's not it, the heater, the heating sensor or the drying fan may have failed.
Won't start or stops mid-cycle
A door that doesn't latch, a faulty door switch or a control fault can stop a dishwasher before it starts. A flashing error code tells the technician where to look first.
Is it worth having a dishwasher repaired?
Usually. Filters, spray arms, pumps, inlet valves, door seals and latches are standard repairs that cost much less than a new machine. Built-in dishwashers tip the balance further towards repairing, because a new one has to match the cabinet opening and the door panel, and fitting it is a job of its own.
A failed control board on an older machine is the main case where replacing can make more sense. Our repair or replace check gives you a quick view.
Plumber or appliance technician?
If the problem is in your house plumbing, such as a blocked sink waste or a tap that won't open, a plumber is the right person. If the problem is inside the dishwasher, such as the pump, the valves, the heater, the seals or the electronics, you need an appliance technician. When it isn't clear which, the technician checks the dishwasher's connections as part of finding the fault.
Keep it washing well
Five minutes a week saves most trips to the sink:
- Take out and rinse the filter at the bottom of the tub every week or two.
- Scrape plates into the bin first. Bones, seeds and labels are what jam drain pumps.
- Twist off the spray arms now and then and clear the holes with a toothpick.
- Keep the rinse aid topped up, and use the amount of detergent the pack recommends.
- Run the hot tap at the sink before you start, so the machine fills with warm water.
No call-out fee when we repair it.If no repair is done, a R500 call-out applies. The technician finds the fault and explains the repair before any work starts, so you decide whether to go ahead.
Book a repairDishwasher repair questions
Why is there standing water at the bottom of my dishwasher?
A little water in the sump is normal. More than that usually means a blocked filter, a kinked drain hose or a blocked sink waste where the hose connects, and sometimes a drain pump that has failed. Switch off at the wall, sponge the water out and clean the filter, then run a short rinse. If the water is still there, book a technician.
Why are my dishes still dirty after a wash?
Usually a blocked filter or spray arm, a heater that isn't warming the water, or the wrong amount of detergent or salt. Clean the filter, clear the spray arm holes with a toothpick and check the arms spin freely, and don't overload the racks. If the water never gets hot, the heater or its sensor needs a technician: book a technician.
Why is my dishwasher leaking from the bottom?
Common causes are a worn door seal, a loose or split hose, a cracked sump, or foam from washing-up liquid used instead of dishwasher detergent. Switch off at the wall and close the tap under the sink. Check the door seal and the hoses you can see, and dry the floor. If it leaks again on the next wash, book a technician to find the source.
What does the error code on my dishwasher mean?
It points to the part of the machine with a problem, and codes differ by brand and model. On a Bosch, for example, E15 means water has been found in the base and the leak protection has switched on. Check the table in your manual first. If it doesn't help, photograph the display and the model sticker, and book a technician.
How much does it cost to fix a dishwasher?
It depends on the fault. Clearing a blockage or replacing a seal is a small job. A pump or a heater costs more, and a control board more again. You'll know the price before any work starts. No call-out fee when we repair it. If no repair is done, a R500 call-out applies. See how our prices work.
Is it worth fixing a dishwasher?
Usually. A dishwasher that won't drain, won't fill or doesn't clean well normally has a blocked filter, a pump or a valve at fault, and those are worth repairing on most machines. A built-in model is also awkward and costly to replace, which tips the balance further. Our repair or replace check helps you decide.
Why is my dishwasher not filling with water?
Check that the tap under the sink is fully open and the inlet hose isn't kinked. A dishwasher also won't fill if the door isn't latched properly, or if the float in the base has tripped after a leak. If it hums but no water comes in, the inlet valve may have failed: book a technician.
Why is my dishwasher not drying the dishes?
Many modern dishwashers dry with leftover heat rather than a heating element, so plastics stay wet and rinse aid makes a big difference. Top up the rinse aid, unload the bottom rack first, and open the door a little at the end of the cycle. If glasses and plates come out wet too, the heater, a sensor or the fan may have failed: book a technician.
