The dispenser door opens but the detergent is not released into the dishwasher. After the cleaning cycles are done, I open the dish washer door and the detergent is still in the tray. What could be the issue? Thank you.

Whirlpool dishwashers use a wax motor or a solinoid to release the door at a specific time during the cycle. So for proper cleaning the soap cup is nessesary . The part isn't that expensive and fairly simple repair.

Hi,

I have an older dishwasher also and recently my wife also complained about it not cleaning right... so me being the man I am tried in vain to clean the things... Bought new spray arms online and installed them in minutes...now the thing works like new... However I have also found that if the heating element goes bad then that also can mess things up bad... So I would buy new spray arms, and also check out the heating element to make sure it is working... Here is a tip that will help you with the online buying...

Dishwasher Spray Arms not Spinning

How to Buy Appliance Parts Online

A bad heating element causes many problems in dishwashers...

Dishwasher Problems The Heating Element not Working

Dishwasher Maintenance

Dishwasher Residue and Film on Dishes

heatman101
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Hi,

There are three common problems that cause the Soap Dispenser or Cup not to open. I have a tip that will explain these problems in detail....

Dishwasher Repair Problem Detergent Cup does not Open

heatman101

First of all, don't pre-rinse the dishes. Check the water temperature, it should be between 120 and 140 degrees. Be sure you are not partially blocking the dispenser door so that it isn't opening.

An automatic dishwasher detergent dispenser door can become stuck for a few different reasons. Some problems are easy to fix, while some require more work. Repairs are basically the same no matter what brand of automatic dishwasher you have, although specific parts might be required. Fortunately, even if the detergent dispenser needs to be replaced, the problem is not an emergency. The dishwasher will clean dishes fine even with a stuck detergent dispenser.

Fixing a Stuck Automatic Dishwasher Detergent Dispenser
1. Step 1 Move the basket that holds silverware as far from the detergent dispenser as possible, or make sure no tall items are blocking the dispenser. Also, keep other items such as plates and pans away from the dispenser. Anything that winds up touching the dispenser during the wash cycle can cause the dispenser door to stay closed. Run the dishwasher to see if this solves the problem.
   
2. Step 2 Remove the front door panel according to your instruction manual, or find the manufacturer's instructions online, which will probably be in a PDF file. The panel is typically held on by 6 to 8 screws along the edge, which you can see when the door is open. With most models, you won't need to remove the screws at the bottom of the door, which are part of the hinge assembly.
   
3. Step 3 Clean the detergent dispenser thoroughly from the inside of the dishwasher and the exterior side as well. Accumulated detergent and other material can interfere with the spring mechanism or halt the pivot action of the door. Use very hot water and a micro-sized brush. You also can use a mix of hot water and vinegar.
   
4. Step 4 Most dispensers have a bimetallic strip or switch, attached by screws, which triggers the door release. With the front door panel removed, locate the switch, and push on it gently with a screwdriver until the dispenser door opens. You might simply need to adjust the alignment of the switch.
   
5. Step 5 Purchase a new switch if re-aligning the old one does not fix the problem. Typically, these switches cost under $10. See Resources for a link to different manufacturers where you can buy the part.
   
6. Step 6 Label the two wires connected to the switch so you can correctly reconnect them afterward, and then remove them from the terminals by holding the slip-on connectors --- not the wires --- and pulling firmly. Use a pair of needle-nosed pliers for a better grip. Then remove the switch from the dispenser by removing the screws holding it in place. Connect the wires to the terminals of the new switch, and attach the new switch to the detergent dispenser. Replace the door panel.
   
7. Step 7 Run the dishwasher again to see if the switch replacement has done the trick. If not, decide whether to replace the entire dispenser according to the manufacturer's instructions, or call a repair technician.
   

Hi,


1. The most common problem with the detergent doors on KitchenAid dishwashers is that they either don't open during the cycle or open only halfway. Before looking into more complicated repairs, make sure that the door is able to open. Check the seal around the door and the door latch for soap- and food-related gunk, and scrub it off if present. Sometimes this can keep the detergent door from operating properly. Consider switching detergents, as some liquids and pouch-style dish detergents can gum up the detergent dispensers. Also, make sure that there is nothing blocking the detergent door when the dishwasher is loaded. Because of the location of the detergent door, a large item such as a cookie sheet or a pan can prevent the door from opening. Run the dishwasher through a cycle without anything placed in front of the detergent dispenser and see if that solves the problem.
Broken Timer
2. KitchenAid dishwashers rely on an internal timer to complete the wash cycle properly. When this timer malfunctions, certain steps in the wash process (such as the release of soap from the detergent dispenser) can be interrupted. If the dishwasher detergent door is either not opening or appears to be opening late in the cycle, this is likely the mechanical culprit. A broken timer isn't something that's simple to replace without knowledge of dishwasher repair, so it's best to consult a professional if you suspect that this is the problem.
Malfunctioning Door Components
3. For the detergent door to function properly, all of its mechanical components must be in working order. Older dishwashers' detergent doors rely on a spring-loaded hinge to pop all the way open when the timer gives the signal. If the door doesn't swing all the way open instantly when it's manually released, the spring may need to be replaced for the dispenser to operate properly. If the particular model is newer and does not rely on a spring to open the door, chances are it either uses a wax motor or a bi-metal switch to release the detergent door at the appropriate time. If either of these components is dying, that can mean that the detergent dispenser will not operate properly.

thank you
vijay(vote for me)

I've been told we can replace the dispenser. See AppliancePartsPro.com. Part AP2834000

Try this... Wipe out the soap dish with white vinegar and a soft cloth.. make sure you get everything off the edges of the door and look for any nicks, blemishes or deformation of the dispenser door to make sure it is not mechanically binding up when it is cycled open. If Ok.. then.. clean your drain filter.. then.. start a wash cycle using the hottest setting ( without any dishes) .. and after about 10 minutes or so.. stop the process and open the door and add in 2 cups of white vinegar.. Let it complete the wash cycle.. When complete..try running a dishless cycle on any setting with detergent ( use about 1/3 less than you usually use) and see if that dispense adequately. If that works, then the next time you load the washer. make sure you don't have anything up against or limiting the door from opening. Hope this helps..

Well the 2nd part of your question is probably the the reason it doesn't clean. If the soap door doesn't open then the dishes will probably not be cleaned. So.. I would focus on why the door doesn't open first.. is it sticking from old soap residue? If so, clean the dispenser with white vinegar and cycle it a few times without detergent and use the hottest/sanitary setting.. Then make sure you are using an approved dishwashing detergent for yuour wash cycle. Add some detergent to the dispenser and try cycling it without any dishes .. does the door open? If no, then you need to resolve that first.. If it does open, try running a cycle with about 1/2 the normal dish load and see if the door opened and the dishes came out clean.. Routinely, check and clean the drain filter so you aren't redistributing the food sediment from the previous load all over the next load of dishes.. Hope that helps..

If you have dishes (typically cutting boards or really tall dishes) that block the dispenser door from opening, the water cannot wash out all the detergent during the wash cycle. Check to see that after loading the dishes, your detergent door has clearance.