Why Is My Dishwasher Stuck On Wash Cycle? (We Have A Fix)

With the invention of the dishwasher, cleaning the kitchen has never been easier. Gone are the days of scrubbing pots and pans until your arms are sore. But what happens if your dishwasher is stuck on the wash cycle?

If your dishwasher is stuck on the wash cycle, this could be due to a malfunction with the water heating cycle. You will need to check the thermostat, float switch, and also the timer. If any of these are the culprit, then you will need to replace them or replace your dishwasher.

Today we’re going to take a look at the four main malfunctions that could be causing the problem and how to solve them. Before you know it, your dishwasher will be working as it should in no time.

As you now know, the cycles are controlled by a timer. If the timer is bad, it could have something to do with the motor. Here’s what you can do to see if this is the culprit:

Step 1: Make sure that your dishwasher is unplugged to prevent any safety hazards. You could also flip the circuit breaker off while you’re working on the appliance.

Step 2: Open the control panel face and remove all the screws from the panel and the latch. Then open the door and take off the door panel screws to get to the motor.

Step 3: There should be two wires at the top of the motor; remove them. You can label these with tape to make it easier to reassemble later on.

Step 4: Using an Ohmmeter, check the motor’s function. The setting should be at x1000, and you’ll want to see a reading between 2,000 and 3,000 OHMS. If the number is outside that range, it’s time to replace the timer motor.

Since the thermometer and water temperature are both causes for a dishwasher to be stuck in the wash cycle, it’s something worth troubleshooting. Here’s how you can do just that:

Step 1: As always, disconnect the machine from any power source.

Step 2: The large metal rod that’s on the bottom of your dishwasher is the heating element. It can vary from one machine to another. Often, they either go all the way around the bottom of the unit or come in an “M” shape.

Step 3: Remove the lower front panel of the dishwasher. This makes it easy to access the wires that connect the heating element to the unit itself.

Step 4: Remove the wire connectors and label them with tape to keep track of where they go.

Step 5: Check the terminals using a multimeter on x1. If the heating elements are working correctly, you’ll get a reading between zero and infinity. If not, it’s time to replace these elements.

So, if you’ve made it this far and neither of the above fixes helped, it could be the float switch. Let’s walk through how to check to see if that’s the issue.

Step 1: You guessed it, unplug the machine.

Step 2: In the front corner of the dishwasher, you’ll find the float bulb. Under that, there is the float switch.

Step 3: Using a multimeter set to x1, get a reading of the float switch. It should be between zero and infinity. You should be able to depress the float switch and get the opposite reading. If this doesn’t happen, the float switch should be replaced.

One of the most frustrating things is to run a load of dishes in the dishwasher only to find them dirty at the end of the cycle. The most common cause for this is a clogged manual filter.

This filter is used to trap food debris and should be cleaned after every use. When it’s clogged, it can’t properly take in rubbish, instead just spreading it around on partially cleaned dishes.

Make sure to rinse off the filter a few times a week or whenever the dishwasher is used. You can simply run it under hot water or take a brush and wipe it clean. This helps ensure that you’re getting clean dishes every time.

While it widely depends on the dishwasher you’re using; it generally takes between two and four hours for a cycle to complete. Some units take a little less time and some that take more.

Appliances like dishwashers have sensor readings that tell the machine what step it’s in and what’s coming up. It can even tell how dirty the dishes are, resulting in a longer wash cycle.

Some homeowners are unaware that you’re supposed to wash your dishwasher. Other than rinsing off the filter after each use, it’s essential to give the entire inside a wash as well.

There are cleaning products you can buy that just require the machine to run on an empty cycle. You could also save money by using vinegar and baking soda in the machine. This will help get rid of any leftover grime that may be missed during a normal cycle.