Common Problems & Solutions

Many dishwasher problems have easy solutions that don’t require a visit from a technician. 

Dishes still wet

• Load dishes correctly so that the water can run off freely.
• Regularly add Finish® Jet Dry® to the rinse aid dispenser.
• Increase the setting of rinse aid dosage, if necessary.
• Possible faulty heating element. (Contact a technician.)

General poor cleaning

• Avoid low quality and old/damp detergent.
• Dose detergent as recommended.
• Load and sort dishes to allow water to circulate.
• Use Finish® Dishwasher Cleaner to remove limescale and grease build-up.

Food around filter

• Remove and clean filter.
• Scrape off large food particles from the dishes before loading.
• Use normal and auto wash cycle.
• Use Finish® Dishwasher Cleaner to keep this vital component working properly.

Cloudy glassware

• In hard water areas, avoid limescale deposits by adding Finish® Power Up™ to each cycle.
• Determine your local water hardness and adjust the rinse aid setting accordingly.
• White streaks on glasses could be surface corrosion. See vinegar test.
• Avoid this by using low temperature or china/crystal cycles. Use Finish® Quantum® with built-in anti-corrosion protection.

Rusted cutlery

• Avoid prolonged contact with acidic/salty food (e.g., mustard or ketchup).
• Use high-grade quality stainless steel. (e.g. 18/10)

Faded patterns on plates

• Use Finish® Quantum® with built-in anti-corrosion protection.
• Run low temperature cycle, or if dinnerware is not dishwasher-safe, wash items by hand.

Detergent residues at end of cycle

• Check door of dosing chamber is not blocked by bulky dishes or large utensils.
• A damp dosing chamber can cause tablets and powder to stick.

Spots, drops marks, and smears on glasses

• Load dishes correctly so wash water runs off freely.
• Regularly add Finish® Jet Dry® to the rinse aid dispenser.
• Use Finish® Power Up™ in each load.
• Determine your local water hardness and adjust the machine setting accordingly.

Foaming machine

• Traces of hand dish soap on dishes. Pre-washing is not necessary with a high quality detergent like Finish® Quantum® or Finish® All-in-1 Powerball® Tabs.
• Rinse aid spilled during refilling, or rinse aid chamber could be leaking.
• High amount of protein-based food left on dishes (e.g. egg, milk).

Orange staining on plastics

• Possibly caused by red sauce in the wash such as spaghetti sauce.
• Scrape items before loading or use a rinse and hold cycle.
• Bleach back to original color by placing in strong sunlight.

Dishwasher not draining

• If the drain hose is kinked, the water cannot run properly into the machine. Make sure that a portion of the drain hose is at least 0.5m above the dishwasher’s enclosure floor.
• Avoid a clogging of the filter system by cleaning regularly (e.g. once a week). 
• The kitchen sink drain may be clogged and it may be necessary to ask a plumbing service to remove the blockage.

Odor

• Food stuck in build up on the side of the machine or a dirty filter often cause odor coming from the machine.
• Clean filter and use Finish® Dishwasher Cleaner.