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Dishwasher Not Cleaning Dishes Well: Causes and Fixes

Poor cleaning usually comes from clogged spray arms, a dirty filter, low inlet water temperature, hard-water scale, or improper loading that blocks spray. Clean the filter and spray-arm jets, run the hot tap before starting, and use a dishwasher cleaner to strip scale.

What to Check First

  1. 1

    Pull and rinse the sump filter — a fouled filter recirculates dirty water.

  2. 2

    Clear the spray-arm holes with a toothpick; remove the arms and flush them.

  3. 3

    Run the kitchen hot tap until hot before starting — incoming water should be ~120°F.

  4. 4

    Don't block the spray: tall items and overlapping dishes shadow the jets.

  5. 5

    Run an empty cycle with dishwasher cleaner or citric acid to remove hard-water scale and grease.

Error Codes for This Problem, by Brand

If your dishwasher is showing an error code along with this symptom, find your brand below — each code links to its full fix guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my dishes still dirty after the dishwasher runs? +
Most often a clogged filter or spray arms, low inlet water temperature, or hard-water scale. Clean the filter and spray jets, run the hot tap first, and descale the machine — these fix the majority of poor-cleaning complaints.
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