Dishwasher is not cleaning

My Siemens dishwasher doesn’t clean well.

Follow these 5 checks of possible reasons to resolve the problem.

Your dishwasher is running but the dishes aren’t getting clean? A few checks may solve the problem. Follow this troubleshooting guide and get it back in working order.

Dishwasher tablet has not dissolved
Blocked spray arms
Blocked filter
Improper loading
Program setting and dishwasher detergent

Step 1: Check if your Dishwasher tablet has dissolved.

One of the main reasons why the dishes remain unclean after a cycle is because the dishwasher tablet has not dissolved properly . To check if this is the problem you’re facing, locate the tablet collecting tray which holds the dishwasher tablet and see if it has fully dissolved.

Step 2: Check if your spray arms are blocked.

Your spray arms should be able to rotate freely and there should be no signs of blockage across the nozzles on the spray arms . If they appear blocked, you can use tweezers or a cocktail stick to clean the debris. Blocked spray arms will not be able to distribute water adequately , which will prevent the dishwasher tablet from dissolving.

To find out more about how to clean the dishwasher spray arms, follow these steps:

Clean the spray arms of your dishwasher.

Follow the instructions in the video to clean the spray arms of your dishwasher.

Step-by-step guide: How to clean the spray arms of your dishwasher.

Step 1

Remove the lower spray arm upwards.

Step 2

Unscrew the upper spray arm and pull down to remove.

Siemens check nozzles for blockages under running water

Step 3

Check the outlet nozzles on the spray arms for blockages under running water and remove any foreign objects.

Step 4

Use a cocktail stick to remove any pips from the holes.

Step 5

Re-Install both of the spray arms.

Step 3: Now check the filter.

Clean the filter of your dishwasher | Siemens Home Appliances

Check the filter of your dishwasher.

Follow the instructions in the video to clean the filter system of your dishwasher.

Step-by-step guide: How to clean the filter of your dishwasher.

Step 1

Remove the dishwasher rack.

Siemens Unlock the filter and pull it out

Step 2

Unlock the filter unit found at the base of the dishwasher and carefully pull it out.

Siemens seperatefilters by carefully unscrewing the cylindrical filter first

Step 3

Separate the filters by carefully unscrewing the cylindrical filter first.

Siemens clean both filters under tap water

Step 4

Clean both filters under running tap water. You can use a small brush to gently clean the inside of the filter and remove smaller pieces of debris. Do not use anything abrasive as this can damage the filter.

Step 5

Insert the filter system into the appliance and turn the coarse filter clockwise. Make sure that the arrow markings match up.

Step 4: Check the proper loading.

Loading the dishwasher correctly is very important when it comes to effective cleaning results. If the dishes are not well organised, the water will not reach all parts of the items being washed and you have to run another load just to clean the few items that are still dirty. In the upper basket, you should arrange cups and glasses. Note that utensils must not be placed above the tablet collecting tray as these may block the lid of the detergent dispenser, preventing the dishwasher tablet from dissolving. The lower basket of the dishwasher is used to arrange the pots, pans and plates. Heavily soiled pans should be placed in the lower basket where the spray jet is more intense and there is more space available.

Follow these 8 tips on how to load your dishwasher correctly:

Top rack.

1. Safe space for cups, glasses and small bowls. Ensure that you leave enough space between the items. This is essential as obstruction can cause breakage and grease stains. Tall champagne and wine glasses should go in the bottom rack, where they can be placed in a secure glass holder.

2. Place dishwasher-safe plastics in the top rack to keep them away from exposure to high temperature.

Bottom rack.

3. Larger items such as dishes, salad bowls and pans belong in the bottom rack , where there’s more space. You can even add baking trays, grill racks or fridge shelves.

4. There’s no need to pre-rinse dishes when loading the appliance, as the rinse programme has this covered. However, you should always scrape off any big chunks of food that can block the dishwasher filter.

5. Serving plates and chopping boards go to the side . This is because large items can easily obstruct the spray arms and block the water flow. While you can clean wooden chopping boards inside the dishwasher, we recommend hand-washing to avoid any splintering.

6. Clip to clean. You can clip baby bottles and other small plastic items such as lids and cups for a more stabilised wash.

Cutlery.

7. Place knives sharp-edge down. This will help to avoid any injury when unloading the dishwasher, as well as stop bacteria from coming into direct contact with the blade.

8. Mix up the cutlery, if your appliance is not fitted with a cutlery draw. Forks and spoons in the cutlery basket should be mixed to prevent nesting and blocking off the water. If your dishwasher is fitted with a cutlery draw, you should place same items alongside each other to conserve space.

Step 5: Check program setting and dishwasher detergent.

To clean dirtier dishes with stubborn burnt-in food remnants, we recommend selecting a programme with a higher temperature setting. Please refer to your instruction manual for more information about the programme settings.

Sometimes the usage of dishwasher detergent instead of dishwasher tabs may solve the issue.

Have you checked the tips and the issue isn’t solved?

If you have followed the information above but you're still having problems with your Siemens dishwasher, then you might want to have it checked out by a Siemens professional.