Whirlpool DWF 417 soap dispenser door won't shut

SOURCE: soap dispenser door doesn't open during cycle of my Maytag dishwasher

Kqon, looks like your dispenser has a wax motor. I think the first thing you have to do is remove the inner door and inspect the soap dispensor assy. See if any of the moving parts are broken. This wax motor is 120V so you can run a cheater cord to it to see if it works, but be very careful when doing this. It will expand the plunger and open the flap. If the wax motor operates with 120V applied to it then you want to see if you have power coming from the timer. It will be the tan wire # 27 on the timer harness. You also want to make sure the spring and pin are in place on the dispenser flap. Your part number for the wax motor is 902899. Catriver.

SOURCE: Dishsoap stays in soap dispenser

We had problems with soap remaining in the dispenser and dishes not getting clean when we used gel dish doap. We changed to the cakes of soap with a Jet Dry Power Ball in the middle, and now they clean fine.

SOURCE: Dishwasher leaves soap in dispenser.

Hi Dirty Dish gang.
After having 2 appliance repairmen here, I now have the latest scoop on our dishwasher problems, $200 later!
Los Angeles IS currently having hard water issues. Also, all the new cleaning gels etc. are actually a cause of our dishwasher problems.  
So, here is what we need to do:
1. Use Cascade POWDER detergent only.  Make sure is is just "plain" no "scented" or "complete"  or gel, etc. (I have tried a phosphate free powder and gel and this is a cause of our problem as well!) 2. Use Jet Dry in the dispenser (set it to a 2-3 opening) 3. Make sure water is at least 120 degrees 4. Only run dishwasher on "normal" setting.  All others just run it longer, hence causing more water stains. 5. Do not pre-wash dishes! You can knock of chunks with a "non" soapy brush, but don't rinse (the oils actually help to clean the dishes) 6.  Do not wash sponges in dishwasher.
Acid Wash: The repairman just gave my washer an Acid Wash today. It says it is an acid derived from lemon, I got mine from Carters appliance in Torrance, CA for about $19. I am to run a normal cycle with the above mentioned Cascade after this "acid cycle" is finished.
If you are still having problems:
Monthly maintenance: Glass Magic: Buy a box of Glass Magic (near the Cascade)  Use 1 Tbsb in main detergent compartment of dishwasher along with the Cascade, till washer starts working again. White Vinegar: You can run an empty dishwasher with white vinegar once a month.  Fill a bowl with 2 cups vinegar and place on bottom rack.  Then run as a normal cycle...this allows vinegar to disperse slowly.
So far it seems to be working.  Good luck.

SOURCE: Soap dispenser cover won't close

It sounds like it may be stuck between cycle steps.(this sometimes happens if the washer is open during a cycle)Try and run it through one full wash cycle as it is.Then check to see if the soap door will close.If not,the lack may be broken

SOURCE: Dishwasher soap dispenser sticks

Your soap is clotting because there isn't enough water being sprayed around inside.  The water spray washes the soap out of the dish, if all is working well.  My machine had the same problem.  I had sufficient water level, but the spray head wasn't spinning very well.  I found the end-most hole in the spray bar to be plugged.  It is the end hole that provides a jet that makes the head spin.  I cleaned a bunch of debris out of the hole and the mchine started working and cleaning like it was new.  That was quite an axccomplishment since the machine is 15 years old.