While a dishwasher can be a time and energy saver for many people, it can be frustrating when it does not work properly.
This is especially true when it does not work for reasons that you cannot seem to understand. Which leads many people to wonder, how do you fix a dishwasher that doesn’t heat water?
Fixing a dishwasher that doesn’t heat water starts with troubleshooting to find out what the problem is.
In most cases, when a dishwasher does not heat water while it’s connected to a cold water supply, the problem is a malfunctioning heat element or thermostat. If the dishwasher is supplied with hot water but runs on cold water, make sure the water supply is working and that it actually heats the water.
To discover how to fix the problem with your dishwasher, you will need to understand the possibilities of what could be wrong. Read below to learn more about how to fix your dishwasher, how much it may cost, and when you should just replace it.
Do Dishwashers Normally Use a Hot or Cold Water Supply?
Although dishwashers are normally connected to the hot water supply, some newer energy-efficient units are connected to the cold water supply.
It mostly boils down to how your kitchen plumbing is set up under the sink since a dishwasher only has one inlet for water.
In most cases, plumbing under the kitchen sink has had two purposes, one to run water to the faucet, and the other to run water to the dishwasher. Up until recently, the water supply line has been connected to hot.
Many manufacturers have changed the norm on this by creating more energy-efficient dishwasher models that are designed to connect to the cold water supply. This has caused some consumers to hire a plumber to add a cold supply line.
Although these modern energy-efficient models are connected to the cold water supply, does not mean that the dishwasher runs on cold water, however. The heating element at the bottom of the dishwasher works to heat the water before the washing cycle begins.
Most dishwashers, other than these newer models, still use the hot water supply which is most likely already connected under the sink. This means that the water coming into the dishwasher is already hot and therefore there is no need to heat the water.
Most manufacturers who produce the models that are designed to run from the cold water supply do so to have better control over the water temperature.
The heating element works to keep the water at a constant temperature and is said to do better than relying on the hot water line.
All in all, it is important to understand, especially when you are looking to purchase a new dishwasher, which water supply line is already installed under your sink.
This is because if you choose to purchase one that requires cold water, then you may incur additional costs by having to hire a plumber to install a new water line.
How Do You Fix a Dishwasher That Doesn’t Get Hot?
Fixing a dishwasher that doesn’t get hot depends on what is causing the problem in the first place. There are many troubleshooting tips ranging from checking for issues with your water heater or replacing the thermostat or heating element.
If you notice that your dishwasher is not heating the way it is supposed to, then you may want to first try checking the drain filter.
Oftentimes, food gets stuck in the here and ends up blocking the unit’s ability to suction debris properly. This can in turn affect the heating of the dishwasher.
1. The Heating Element Isn’t Working
One of the most common issues that occur when the water in your dishwasher no longer gets hot is a faulty heating element. Just like other appliances, some parts are not made to last forever, and the heating element is no different.
In most cases, your owner’s manual should be able to guide you through checking the element and then replacing it when needed.
While this can be an easy fix by following simple steps found on the internet, many manufacturers recommend that you call on a professional to do the work.
2. The Thermostat Has Malfunctioned
Another reason a dishwasher does not get hot is due to the thermostat malfunctioning which causes the water to either overheat or not heat at all. If the water seems much hotter than it should or even cold, then it could indicate that your thermostat is not working properly.
The thermostat can be replaced by following instructions either in the manual, from an expert, or by hiring someone to do the work.
3. The Temperature Sensor is Damaged
The temperature sensor is another component that is connected to the circuit board that gives directions on whether to heat or not. When this is damaged or faulty, the unit will not heat the way it should.
If the water in your dishwasher is not getting hot, you may want to check to see if the sensor is working properly. To do this, you should call a professional since this is a part that is on the circuit board and only should be handled by someone who knows what they are doing.
However, if you insist on attempting to fix this yourself, then you will need a multi-meter to test the different areas of the circuit board to see if they are loose.
It is important to check with your manufacturer for the exact reading it should display for your dishwasher.
4. The High-Pressure Switch is Clogged
There is also a high-pressure switch that tells the heating system to start working. When this switch is clogged with junk that has come off the dishes, it can malfunction and fail to indicate the need for heat.
To fix this, all you need to do is access the area where the switch is and remove any debris that is clogging it. If doing this by hand does not work, it may be time to do a deep clean on your dishwasher to try to unclog it with another method.
5. Other Issues and Scenarios
Some other scenarios that could cause a dishwasher to no longer heat are electrical or programming problems. It is important to understand that these issues require someone with knowledge of dishwasher or electrical work to fix.
One of the worst-case scenarios is when there is either a problem with the water supply line that is not putting out hot water. This could indicate that there is a problem either with the line itself or the water heater.
Overall, using the manual to troubleshoot your dishwasher when it will not heat the water is the first step in any attempt to fix the problem. If you are unable to figure it out or fix the problem, it may be best to call a professional to do the work.
What’s the Cost of Repairing a Dishwasher That Doesn’t Heat Water?
As stated previously, the cost of repairing a dishwasher depends on the specific issue causing the problem. This means that the range could be anywhere from less than $100 to a few hundred dollars. It also depends on whether you hire a professional or do the work yourself.
If you are dealing with a problem with your dishwasher that you do not have experience with, it may be best to turn to a professional. However, if you consider yourself handy, you may want to do the work yourself and save a few bucks.
Keep in mind that most warranties on appliances will pay for repairs done by a professional in the field. They may even have their repair people come to assess the problem and then fix your unit themselves.
If you do choose to repair it yourself, remember that this may cause your warranty to become null and void. It is advisable to check your warranty and call the manufacturer before you attempt to repair your dishwasher yourself.
When it comes to the cost of repairing your dishwasher that doesn’t heat water, you will first need to determine what the real issue is. Depending on the problem, you will be able to determine an approximate cost for the repairs.
For example, it is estimated that replacing the heating element in your dishwasher may cost between $150-$200 or more. A thermostat, however, can cost less than $50, if you can replace it yourself.
If the issue is more complicated than the above-listed issues, then it can cost anywhere from $100-$400 or more to replace or repair your dishwasher. In most cases, this will include the cost of labor from the professional.
At the end of the day, the cost of repairing a dishwasher that doesn’t heat depends heavily on what the problem is. Although this information gives an estimate of the cost, it is important to keep in mind that prices can vary depending on who does the repairs and where you are located.
When Should You Replace a Dishwasher?
Although dishwashers are built to last quite a while, just like other appliances, they are not meant to last indefinitely.
There are telltale signs that a dishwasher has reached its end-of-life. These signs can include the constant need for repairs, dishes consistently coming out still dirty, and many more. Dishwashers tend to last about 10 years, and 30% need some sort of repair within the first five years.
If your dishwasher is closing in on its 10th year and needs repairs, it might be better to start looking for a new one.
Having a dishwasher can be a fantastic convenience when they are functioning the way they should. When the dishwasher does not do the job it is supposed to do, it can change from convenience to frustration.
There are many reasons why you should consider replacing the dishwasher, especially if you are having continual problems with it.
This means that if you are constantly shelling out money to replace various parts or having a repair person look at it, you may want to start looking for a new one.
Additionally, it can be very frustrating when you run a load of dishes in your dishwasher to come back after the cycle to notice that most of the dishes are still dirty. If this happens more times than not, you may want to consider replacing your unit.
Another annoying issue that could indicate that it is time to replace your dishwasher is if after the cleaning cycle is complete it still has water in the bottom.
This could indicate a minor issue such as the drain being clogged or the filter being full. If it happens constantly there could be a bigger problem.
To sum it up, fixing a dishwasher that doesn’t heat the water will depend on the problem that you are having.
Since there are so many different parts to a dishwasher, the issues could be almost anything. If you are in doubt about how to repair your unit, you may want to call on a professional to help you out.