KitchenAid Dishwasher Not Cleaning or Poor Performance
Quick Answer
To fix a KitchenAid dishwasher that is not cleaning, start by deep cleaning the triple-filter system and checking the spray arm nozzles for debris. Nine times out of ten, a physical blockage or a worn-out circulation pump is preventing water from scrubbing the dishes.
Here's the thing, if you let poor cleaning go, it gets expensive fast. A dirty filter is free to fix. But if that clogged filter starves the pump of water for a few months, now you're looking at a burned-out wash motor. I've seen machines that needed a 20-minute scrub end up needing a $180 pump replacement because someone waited too long. Catch this early.
KitchenAid Dishwasher Not Cleaning or Poor Performance
Poor cleaning on a KitchenAid is almost never a control board problem, so don't panic yet. Nine times out of ten it's a clogged filter or a spray arm that's basically just decorative at that point. These are quiet machines, which actually makes it harder to notice when something's wrong. The pump can be struggling and you won't hear it until the dishes start coming out gross.
Most Likely Causes
Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:
Dirty or clogged filters45%
Blocked spray arms20%
Worn wash pump motor20%
Low water temperature or level15%
Symptoms You May Notice
You pull out your glasses and there's a chalky white film covering the whole surface, sometimes with actual food particles still stuck on there like the dishwasher barely touched them.
The detergent pod is sitting in the bottom of the tub after the cycle finishes, either completely intact or just barely starting to dissolve around the edges.
Everything on the upper rack looks basically untouched while the bottom rack is at least somewhat clean, which is a classic sign the upper spray arm manifold isn't getting water.
There's a low humming sound during the wash cycle but the normal splashing and spraying sounds are way quieter than usual.
The inside of the tub smells sour or musty right after a cycle finishes, which means dirty water is sitting in that clogged filter and getting sprayed back onto your dishes.
Can you reset a Kitchenaid dishwasher to clear the NOT-CLEANING code?
Press 'Hi-Temp Wash' then 'Sani-Rinse' three times in a row quickly. The display should flash or the indicator lights will blink to confirm you're in the reset sequence. Let it run the short test cycle, about 5 minutes, then hit Cancel. This clears the sensor memory so the machine recalibrates water usage on the next real wash. If nothing happens, try holding Cancel/Drain for 3 seconds first to clear any active cycle error before running the sequence again.
Tools Required for Diagnosis
Phillips #2 screwdriverFlathead screwdriverDigital multimeterNeedle-nose pliersSoft bristle brush or old toothbrushToothpick or thin wire (for spray arm holes)White vinegar (for descaling spray arms)Cooking thermometer or infrared thermometer
Diagnostic Checklist
Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.
ComponentComponent Under Test
Expected Range5–15 ohms
ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my dishes still gritty after a full cycle?
Grittiness is almost always redeposition, which is basically the machine spraying its own dirty water back onto your dishes. It happens when the filter is so clogged that the pump just recirculates the same sludge over and over. The check valve can also fail and let dirty drain water sneak back into the tub. Deep clean the sump and filter first. If it's still happening after that, the check valve inside the drain pump is probably worn out and needs replacing. It's a $15 part and about 30 minutes of work.
Do I need to pre-rinse my dishes for a KitchenAid dishwasher?
Actually no, and pre-rinsing can make it worse. Modern KitchenAid units have turbidity sensors that read how dirty the water is and adjust the cycle length based on that. If you pre-rinse everything spotless, the sensor thinks the load is clean and shortens the wash, so lightly soiled stuff might not get enough time. Scrape the big chunks off, sure. But leaving some food residue on there is actually what these machines are calibrated for. The detergent enzymes need something to work on.
Why is the top rack not getting clean?
Two things cause this almost every time. First, check that the upper rack is pushed all the way to the back so it seats properly into the water manifold at the rear of the tub. If that docking connection isn't seated, the upper spray arm gets zero water. Second, look at the spray arm mounted at the very top of the tub and check every hole for hard water scale. That arm runs at the lowest pressure in the machine, so even partial blockage kills its cleaning ability. I also see people overloading the top rack with stuff that's blocking the arm from spinning freely.
What's the best detergent for a KitchenAid dishwasher?
Pods or tablets, honestly. Finish Quantum and Cascade Platinum are both solid. They've got the right mix of enzymes, bleach, and rinse aid built in that activates at specific temperatures. Liquid and powder detergents can clump in the dispenser, especially in humid climates, and they don't always dissolve evenly. Just make sure your water temp is at least 120°F or those pod casings won't melt properly and you'll find half a pod sitting in the bottom of the machine.
How often should I clean my KitchenAid dishwasher filter?
If you're running it daily, check the filter once a month. Seriously, put it in your phone as a recurring reminder. If you start noticing a smell coming from the machine or spots showing up on your glassware, that's your sign it's already overdue. Takes about five minutes. Pull it out, scrub it with a brush under warm water, done. If you let it go for six months you'll be in there with a butter knife scraping off what's basically a grease fossil.
Can I just run a cleaning cycle instead of manually cleaning the filter?
No. The dishwasher cleaning tablets like Affresh or the KitchenAid brand cleaner are great for descaling the interior and deodorizing, but they can't clear a physically clogged filter. That mesh needs to be pulled out and scrubbed by hand. Think of it like this, running a cleaning cycle on a clogged filter is like running your car through a car wash without ever changing the oil. It looks better but nothing got fixed. Do both, run the cleaning tablet monthly and manually scrub the filter monthly.
Models Known to Experience NOT-CLEANING Errors
This repair applies to most Kitchenaid dishwashers with this error code. Common model numbers include: