Dishwasher Not Cleaning Dishes?
Dirty or gritty dishes after a full cycle usually mean a clogged filter, blocked spray arms or water that isn't hot enough.Last updated November 12, 2026 · Written for Brandon, FL households
Clean the filter and spray arms, run the kitchen tap until hot before starting, load so the spray arms can turn, and use fresh detergent with rinse aid. If dishes are still dirty, the wash pump, heater, inlet valve or detergent dispenser may need repair.
Checks that fix most cases
- Clean the filter. A clogged filter sends dirty water back over the dishes.
- Clear the spray arms. Take them off if your model allows and rinse out the holes. Mineral scale clogs them over time.
- Run hot water at the sink first so the first fill is hot.
- Load it properly. Tall items can block the spray arms, and dishes facing the wrong way never get hit by water.
- Use fresh detergent. Old or damp detergent pods and powder lose strength. Add rinse aid.
- Fight scale. Run a dishwasher cleaner now and then. Hillsborough County's water quality report for your address lists its hardness.
If dishes are still dirty
Wash pump
Weak circulation means water doesn't reach the top rack with any force.
Heater or sensor
Water stays lukewarm, so grease doesn't wash off.
Inlet valve
Too little water gets in for a proper wash.
Detergent dispenser
The door doesn't open, so the detergent never gets used.
When to call
Call if the filter and spray arms are clean, the water is hot and dishes still come out dirty. See dishwasher repair in Brandon.
Common questions
Why is there gritty residue on my dishes?
Often food particles recirculating from a dirty filter, or undissolved detergent from a dispenser that opens late or water that's too cool.
Why are my glasses cloudy?
Mineral film from hard water, or etching from too much detergent with soft water. Rinse aid and a cleaner help with the first.
Should I pre-rinse dishes?
Scrape them, but heavy pre-rinsing isn't needed for most modern dishwashers.
Related help
Still not working?
If the checks above didn't fix it, an independent technician who covers Brandon can diagnose it.