Water not going to top shelf in dishwasher

under the top shelf or in the top of the machine is the water rotor. remove this and ensure none of the holes are blocked, also ensure your macine is not running on 1/2 half load as this may only activate the bottom. it should be set to full load to use both. if rotor bloackage is the problem use somthing to clear it. and also check the bottom one. also remove and clean the inner filter as debris may have got past it and getting pumped to your rotors.

I hope this was useful

Please provide the full model number of the dishwasher.

You need to check if water actually fills the dishwasher. Keep a cup right side up on the top shelf and run he dishwasher. At end of cycle check how much water is in the cup.

Most dishwashers use an extention pipe from the lower unit that cleans the tops of the lower shelf and the bottom of the upper shelf. Sometimes, the extention pipe is not extended when it should be either because of damage or maybe soap build up. Check to be sure that the extention is free to extend. If it is resistant, a little vegetable oil on it and moving it up and down sometimes will clear up the problem. If not replace the extention.

cheap trick...take a glass and put it on the top rack...right side up run dishwasher for about 4 mins is the glass full with water,no ok than check your drain hose the water is sphion out during wash,,lift it the height of unit..keep me posted

The following suggestions will greatly enhance the ability of your dishwasher to clean all of the dishes thoroughly:

1. Rinse all of the food off of the dishes before you put them in the dishwasher.

2. Run the hot water into the sink until it is as hot as it gets before you start the dishwasher.

3. Do not pack the dishes into the dishwasher, just put in a reasonable number without crowding or stacking them on either shelf.

4. Pull the top shelf all the way out to be sure that the water connection at the rear of the top shelf is connected. Sometimes, this connector comes disconnected preventing the water from entering the top spray assembly.

THese things should make a huge difference.

Good luck with this and please rate my answer. Thanks. Joe

Is the top sprayer clean and not clogged so that the water can flow through? The top may not be functioning properly.

It sounds like the hose at the rear of the top shelf has come unconnected. Pull the top shelf out when the washer is empty and take a look. If the hose has come apart you should be able to push it back together. Good luck with it.

After some experience with our own fdw60 with the same problem, we now put all pots and pans on the top rack. Putting them on the bottm appears to stop the clean water rinse reaching the top rack. All washes since have been ok.

Dump the Kenmore on the seller's doorstep - when the place is full of customers!!

basic checks:
is water entering into the machine.
is it hot.
is it being heated during pre-wash
is the soap being dispensed
is the pump running when cycling?
do the arms turn freely?

you mentioned the top and bottom shelves. are there places where the dishes 'are' being cleaned?, or are you meaning that in general they are not being cleaned at all?

most of the above indicators are observable by stopping the wash cycle from time to time in various modes.
to see if water is being pumped at all, put a bowl on the top and bottom shelf, and nothing else. if there is water in it after it cycles then the pump is moving at least some water.
start with these observations and please report back
good luck
mark