How to troubleshoot my dishwasher

Installed white dishwasher and kitchen counter

To help you ensure that you always get the best from your Samsung dishwasher we have compiled a list of common issues you may experience that can be easily fixed without needing to call for a repair. 

If your dishwasher is displaying an error code you can refer to a list of codes and ways to fix them by going to our Dishwasher error codes page.

If you require specific information about your particular model you can find your user manual by going to the Manuals & Downloads page.

Common dishwasher issues and solutions

Symptom

Possible Cause

Action

Dishwasher does not start

Door is not completely closed

• Make sure the door is latched and completely closed

• Make sure the upper rack is properly joined with the nozzle

• Make sure the upper rack is properly assembled

The power cord is not connected

Connect the power cord

Water is not being supplied

Make sure the water supply valve is open

The control panel is locked

Deactivate the child lock

The dishwasher smells bad

Water still remains from the previous cycle

With the dishwasher empty, add detergent, and then run the express cycle. Available only on applicable models

Water remains in the dishwasher after cycle has finished

The drain hose is clogged or folded

Straighten and unclog the hose

Food remains on dishes

An incorrect cycle was selected

Select a cycle according to the soil levels of the dishes as instructed in the manual

The filters are clogged or not correctly fastened

• Clean the filters

• Make sure the filters are correctly fastened

Not enough detergent was used

Use the correct amount of detergent for each load

The water pressure is low

Make sure the pressure is between 0.05-0.80 Mpa

The nozzles are clogged

Clean and unclog the nozzles

Dishes improperly loaded or overloaded

Arrange the dishes so they do not interfere with the nozzles or the detergent dispenser

The water is too hard

Check the salt refill indicator, and refill with dishwasher salt

Dishes are not dried well

There is no rinse aid in the dispenser, or not enough rinse aid was used

• Add rinse aid

• Check the dose per rinse settings

Too many dishes are loaded

• Overloading may reduce the drying performance

• Load your dishes as recommended

Glasses and cups spilled water onto other dishes while being unloaded

• Empty the lower rack first, and then the upper rack

• This will avoid water dripping from the upper rack onto the dishes in the lower rack

Multiple detergent tablets were used without selecting the hygiene plus option

Select the hygiene plus option or use rinse aid

The dishwasher is too noisy

The dishwasher makes a sound when the dispenser cover is open and the drain pump is operating

This is normal

The dishwasher is not level

Make sure the dishwasher is level

The nozzle bumps against the dishes, creating a chopping sound

Rearrange the dishes

Yellow or brown film remains on dishes

Coffee and tea soils

Use a cycle with a higher temperature

Indicators do not light up

The power cord is not connected

Check power supply is present

The nozzles do not rotate smoothly

The nozzles are clogged with food particles

Clean the nozzles

A white coating remains on dishes

The water is too hard

• Make sure the salt fill indicator and softener settings are correct according to the water hardness in your area

• Make sure the salt storage cap is correctly fastened

Air bubbles and scratch marks are on the control panel

Air gets into the protective film, causing EPS marks to remain

Remove the protective film from the control panel

The dishwasher bubbles up and the foam remains too much on the front

This may occur if:

• Using generic kitchen detergent

• Loading a dish that generic dish detergent has been applied to

• Inputting more than required water

• Turn the dishwasher off and remove the bubbles

• If the dishwasher bubbles up severely, wait until the foam subsides. Then, run the cancel and drain cycle followed by the prewash process 2-3 times

Plastic dishes will not dry completely at the end of a cycle

Due to the lightweight composition of plastic dishes, water may condense or pool rather than evaporate during drying

Plastic dishes may need to be manually dried before being stored away

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