KitchenAid dishwashers, with satisfied customers, are some of the top models I’ve ever come across. But even these parts can try to repair the error, and fail to work perfectly 100% of the time. So if you have the KitchenAid not filling with water problem, you should diagnose the dishwasher, identify the problem, and fix it fast.
Generally, your KitchenAid dishwasher doesn’t fill with water because of a faulty door switch, a damaged float switch, or a broken water inlet valve. It’s also possible that the unit has an issue with water supply or solenoid, making it difficult to fill with water.
In this guide, we’ll look at each of these questions in details. In particular, you’ll learn exactly what to do to solve each problem.
Let’s get to it.
4 Reasons Why Your KitchenAid Dishwasher is Not Filling With Water
The table below is a summary of the possible reasons why your KitchenAid dishwasher, appliance technician, dispenser, parts, questions, is not filling with water. It also includes what questions you can ask the technician to fix each appliance issue. (Ativan)
| Possible Cause | Quick DIY Fix | |
| 1. | Problem with water supply line | Inspect the water supply line for clogs and kinks. Replace the water inlet hose if broken. |
| 2. | The water inlet valve could be faulty | Your best bet is to replace the water inlet valve with a new one. |
| 3. | Faulty float switch | It’s best to get a new float switch for replacement. |
| 4. | KitchenAid dishwasher door switch is broken | Check if there are objects stuck in the door switch. Otherwise, replace the door switch with a new one. |
Let’s look at each problem even further.
1. Problem With Water Supply Line
Sometimes the problem might not be with the appliance. In other words, it could be that the most likely reason why your KitchenAid dishwasher appliance is not filling with water is that the water supply line is faulty.
Inspect the water supply line.
Straighten the coiled parts throughout the supply line.
Replace the water supply line if extremely damaged.
2. The Water Inlet Valve Could Be Faulty
Your KitchenAid dishwasher appliance won’t fill with water if pressure to the valve is too low. The least pressure needed at the inlet valve to fill the dishwasher appliance with water is 20psi.
Another possible reason your KitchenAid dishwasher appliance is not filling with water is that the inlet valve is clogged, which happen because of sediments.
A damaged water inlet valve can also make the dishwasher appliance not fill with water. Unfortunately, you cannot repair a damaged water inlet valve. You can only replace it with a new one.
To replace the water inlet valve:
Trip the circuit breaker or unplug the dishwasher from power.
Locate the water inlet valve behind the lower kick plate and open the screws securing it.
Once the appliance kick plate panel is out, you will see the water inlet valve with two hoses connecting to it. One hose feeds the dishwasher appliance with clean water and the other one carries it away.
Do thorough inspection on the two hoses to ensure they are no kinks and cuts, and that they connect to the valve.
Test the valve solenoid, which has two or four wires connected to the inlet valve.
Carefully disconnect the wires from the valve terminal.
Use a multimeter to test the valve for continuity.
Lack of continuity means the valve’s solenoid is faulty. If that’s the case, you will need to replace the current water inlet valve with a new appliance.
3. Faulty Float Switch
The float switch mark in your KitchenAid dishwasher might be the reason why the appliance isn’t filling with water.
The purpose of a float switch in a dishwasher is to close the inlet valve once water flowing into the dishwasher lifts the float to a certain level where it acts as a trigger for the float switch.
Water stops flowing into the appliance when the float triggers the float switch to shut off hence stopping water from flowing in the dishwasher.
However, that doesn’t happen if the float switch or water valve is faulty. There are times when the float switch is stuck and that stops water from flowing into the dishwasher up to the expected level.
A stuck float switch can be adjusted but a defective one requires a replacement. To replace the float switch:
Start by cutting off the power supply. You can do this by flipping the appropriate breaker in the breaker board or unplugging the system from the wall power outlet.
Use a screwdriver to remove the screws that hold the lower kick plate panel in place.
You will see the float switch below the float assembly.
Set your multimeter to Ohms X1 and test the switch for continuity.
A zero or infinite result means the part is functional but anything else means the switch is faulty and therefore requires a replacement.
Replacing the float sink is easy. You simply connect wires on the new float to the switch and you’re good to go.
In some cases, the float assembly might be the reason the dishwasher isn’t filling with water. So as you test the float switch for continuity, also consider testing the float assembly for the same.
4. Faulty Door Switch
Another reason why your Kitchenaid dishwasher is not filling with water might be that the door switch is broken.
The door switch will tell your dishwasher to operate once it’s certain the door is properly closed. It will also stop water from flowing into the dishwasher and operating if it detects that you haven’t closed and latched the door.
If the door switch is defective, the unit won’t fill with water and, as such, even your dishes won’t clean.
Test the door switch for continuity and replace it with a new one if it fails the continuity test.
Power off the appliance
Open the door, and using a screwdriver remove the screws securing the inner panel.
Hold the latch and close it
If closing the latch activates the two switches, consider testing the two switches for continuity using a multimeter.
KitchenAid Dishwasher Fills But Doesn’t Wash
Your KitchenAid dishwasher won’t clean despite filling with water because the spray holes on the wash arm have food particles and mineral deposits.
Clogs on and in the spray holes mean the unit can’t shoot water to your dishes, hence the dishwasher’s inability to clean properly.
You can fix this issue by clearing the deposits and clogs on the spray holes using a thin sharp-edged wire. For best results, consider taking out the spray arm from the dishwasher and clearing the clogs thoroughly.
If you notice tough deposits, soak the wash arm in warm water mixed with vinegar to dissolve the deposit.
Fix back the arm in the dishwasher and spin with your hand to ensure that locks. It would be best if you cleaned the spray arm at the top of the dishwasher too for better wash result.
Kitchenaid Dishwasher Hums but No Water
There are three possible reasons why your Kitchenaid dishwasher is humming but not filling with water.
1. Idle Pump Motor
It could be that the pump motor has stayed long without running. If a dishwasher stays idle for too long, the pump seals dry and sticks.
To avoid this ensures the dishwasher operates at least once a week. If the pump motor ha stayed for long without running:
Power off or unplug the dishwasher from power.
Remove any dishware, and clear the water in the dishwasher tub (if any)
Pour one cup of vinegar into the sump area. Alternatively, mix 3 to 4 ounces of hot water and pour the solution onto the affected area.
Let the solution stand for about 15 to 30 minutes.
Start the dishwasher and do a test cycle to see if the humming stops and water flows into the dishwasher.
2. The Float is Faulty
The second possible reason why your KitchenAid dishwasher is humming but not filling with water is that the float is faulty.
You will find this float at the base of your dishwasher. Its purpose is to move up and down the dishwasher with the water level to prevent overfilling. If this component does function, it may cause the humming sound and water not to fill.
Access the float (at the bottom of your dishwasher tub)
Using a Torx screwdriver, unscrew the float cover to get to the float.
Use your hand to determine whether it can move up and down. As you move the float, you should hear a relay click sound.
If there is no click sound, the float is faulty.
Replace the float and start the dishwasher to see if the water fills and the humming sound is gone.
3. Kitchenaid Wash Motor/Circulation Pump Malfunction
The other likely reason why your dishwasher is filling with water but does not wash is that the circulation pump is defective.
Access the motor to find out whether it is bad. If the wash motor is faulty, you will hear clicks coming from the dishwasher.
If water fills the dishwasher to the right mark but the circulation pump doesn’t start, then chances are that the wash motor has failed.
First, test the motor for continuity. To do this:
Unplug the dishwasher from the power
Access the circulation motor (should be behind the lower kick plate).
Remove the screws securing the panel
Disconnect the 2 wires attached to the wash motor
Set your multimeter to R x 1 and test the motor for continuity.
Ensure you use the multimeter probes to test each motor terminal (one at a time).
If there is no continuity, consider replacing the wash motor. To replace the wash motor:
Access the circulation pump by unscrewing the lower access/kick plate panel.
Open the door.
Take out the lower dish rack.
Take out the spray tower.
Unscrew the bolt holding the spray arm and take out the spray arm.
Remove the filter assembly as well (if your model has one).
Disconnect the wires connecting the motor to the dishwasher.
Carefully remove anything that stands in the way of the wash motor.
Remove the motor and replace it with the new one.
Connect the new motor to the dishwasher with the wires.
Fix everything back and start your dishwasher.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why Is My New Kitchenaid Dishwasher Not Filling With Water?
The most common reason why your Kitchenaid dishwasher is not filling with water is that there are clogs and kinks on the hose, the inlet valve is faulty, or the door switch is bad.
Fortunately, you can solve these issues by following suggestions I’ve shared in this guide and, hopefully, your dishwasher should work optimally again.
2. Why Is My Kitchenaid Dishwasher Filling With Water But Not Cleaning?
The KitchenAid dishwasher can fill with water but fail to clean your dishes because there are minerals and debris blocking the spray or wash arm. Consider clearing the blockage and cleaning the arm.
A defective float could be the other possible reason why your KitchenAid dishwasher is filling with water but not cleaning. You should run a continuity test and replace the part if it’s faulty.
What is the minimum water pressure required for the water inlet valve to function properly?
The minimum water pressure required for the water inlet valve to function properly is at least 20 psi.
How does a faulty control board prevent the water inlet valve from opening?
A faulty control board in a dishwasher plays a crucial role in supplying power to all the electrical components, including the water inlet valve. When the control board becomes faulty, it fails to deliver the necessary power to the water inlet valve, which prevents it from opening. As a result, without the control board’s power supply, the water inlet valve remains closed, impeding the flow of water and thus preventing the dishwasher’s tank from filling up.
What is the required part to replace a faulty main control board?
To replace a faulty main control board in a dishwasher, the required part is the Dishwasher Main Control Board.
Conclusion
As you can see, it isn’t difficult to troubleshoot and fix a KitchenAid dishwasher that fails to fill with water.
In fact, the replacement components are cheap. And with a few DIY steps, you can get your unit working properly again.