# What's wrong with my dishwasher **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 19, 2023, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-dishwasher/987267 "2023-07-19T18:08:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-dishwasher/987267/1 "2023-07-19T18:08:07Z")
I have an [EdgeStar DWP60ES](https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Dishwashers/20275/subcat.html?featuredproduct=4470871) countertop dishwasher. This morning when I ran it it stopped at the end of the pre-rinse cycle / beginning of the wash cycle, ran the drain pump, and started beeping. Now it seems to be stuck in that state – if I turn it off and back on again it it just runs the pump as if it’s trying to drain, and beeps, with the “wash cycle” light flashing rapidly. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-dishwasher/987267/2 "2023-07-19T18:12:20Z")
Not an expert, but could the drain be clogged? There should be an easy way to check. Do you have the manual? ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-dishwasher/987267/3 "2023-07-19T18:13:56Z")
I didn’t actually check the drain, but there is no water inside the dishwasher, so it appears it was able to drain. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-dishwasher/987267/4 "2023-07-19T18:15:53Z")
I recommend checking the manual; the beeping may be in a particular pattern that explains the issue. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-dishwasher/987267/5 "2023-07-19T18:22:08Z")
I did. [It does not have anything that explains the beeping](https://support.edgestar.com/hc/article_attachments/115003820226/DWP60ES_ownersmanual.pdf). The troubleshooting section is mostly just stupid stuff like “Dishes aren’t clean – Make sure you load the dishwasher correctly.” Also, the beeps don’t seem to be a pattern; it’s just the same series of beeps it makes when it’s finished. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-dishwasher/987267/6 "2023-07-19T18:27:29Z")
Check that the drain pump is actually working. Pour some water in the dishwasher, turn it on, and see if it drains. You said that there wasn’t any water in it, but perhaps the pump broke as it was draining out the water last time. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-dishwasher/987267/7 "2023-07-19T20:44:53Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > Pour some water in the dishwasher, turn it on, and see if it drains. I just tried that, and yeah, it seems like it’s draining. Being a portable dishwasher it just drains through a hose into the sink, and I see water coming out the hose, and no water left in the dishwasher. So I think that would eliminate both a broken pump and clogged drain. ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-dishwasher/987267/8 "2023-07-19T20:53:25Z")
It may just need updated drivers. Make sure the router is configured properly too, the address registers in particular. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-dishwasher/987267/9 "2023-07-19T21:17:43Z")
You might try unplugging it and seeing if that helps. And maybe shake it around in case a sensor is stuck or something. See if you notice any water underneath the unit. Perhaps a leak is allowing water to get below the tub and maybe there’s some electronics down there. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-dishwasher/987267/10 "2023-07-19T21:18:26Z")
Most dishwashers have a drain filter and most people do not clean it. If you don’t re-rinse you dishes before you load them that filter can becomed plugged. My wife gives me a lot of shit for pre-rinsing the dishes before I load them. If you are loading the machine with dirty dishes that have food particles on them, it takes longer and the filter can get plugged. Check your drain filter. If you are not aware of where it is at, that is probably the problem. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-dishwasher/987267/11 "2023-07-19T21:18:43Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > Being a portable dishwasher it just drains through a hose into the sink, and I see water coming out the hose, and no water left in the dishwasher. So I think that would eliminate both a broken pump and clogged drain. If it has a pump water shouldn’t just drain. You say the pump seems to be running and if is the water should be ejected with some force. Did you completely fill the washer pan before that test? Have you unplugged the unit or did you just switch it on and off? Did you wait 10 seconds before pushing the start button after switching the unit on as the following section in the manual states? “If you choose to turn the switch OFF between wash cycles on dishwashers with electronic controls, allow 5 - 10 seconds after turning the switch ON before touching the START/RESET button. This allows the control system to reboot.” I assume START/RESET is actually the START/PAUSE button. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-dishwasher/987267/12 "2023-07-19T21:41:06Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > You might try unplugging it and seeing if that helps. Unplugging it and plugging it back in didn’t help. > [@filmore](#): > > See if you notice any water underneath the unit. There was, in fact, a small amount of water under the unit. So it is a possibility that water leaked outside the tub and got somewhere it shouldn’t. > [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > Most dishwashers have a drain filter and most people do not clean it. I have cleaned the filter before. It probably is due to be cleaned again, but like I said before it is draining. > [@TriPolar](#): > > If it has a pump water shouldn’t just drain. You say the pump seems to be running and if is the water should be ejected with some force. Did you completely fill the washer pan before that test? It seems to be coming out with the same force as it always has. I guess I didn’t _completely_ fill it; I dumped a 2 quart jug of water in there and thought that seemed like enough. > [@TriPolar](#): > > Did you wait 10 seconds before pushing the start button after switching the unit on as the following section in the manual states? I actually didn’t even press the start button. As soon as I turn it on it starts beeping and trying to drain. Which does make it seem like some sensor is tripping and making it go into some sort of fault mode. Pressing the START button doesn’t seem to do anything. (Yes, it is actually a START/PAUSE button) ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-dishwasher/987267/13 "2023-07-19T21:42:43Z")
Turn the water on. That sounds like you were trying to run it, but forgot to turn on the water. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-dishwasher/987267/14 "2023-07-19T21:44:50Z")
The water is on. I have made that mistake before, so it was the first thing I checked. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-dishwasher/987267/15 "2023-07-20T21:17:26Z")
Tip it back 45 degrees, wait a few seconds, and put it down. My (full-sized) dishwasher had a problem draining a few years ago, and that seemed to work, although I can’t tell you why. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-dishwasher/987267/16 "2023-07-20T21:52:41Z")
So I did that, and when I did a bunch of dirty water poured out from the bottom of the unit all over my counter and floor. That seems to support the theory that water is leaking into parts of the unit where it’s not supposed to be. And from Googling the issue, it apparently has something called a “flood sensor” that prevents it from running when water gets down there, and causes the exact behavior I’m seeing. Even if it works now that I’ve emptied the water, the problem will almost certainly return once more water leaks down there. So I’ve decided I’m just going to replace it. I don’t exactly like treating appliances as disposable, but past experience tells me that having a pro fix it will most likely cost more than an equivalent new dishwasher, and I don’t really have the motivation or free time to learn how to fix it myself. And it is at least 10 years old at this point, I think more like 13 actually, so it had a good run for a modern appliance. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-dishwasher/987267/17 "2023-07-20T21:53:46Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > So I did that, and when I did a bunch of dirty water poured out from the bottom of the unit all over my counter and floor. Sorry about that. Have you tried running it again? The leak may be very small, and all that dirty water was the result of weeks of buildup. If getting your counter messy once a month keeps the dishwasher running, it may be worth holding on to. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-dishwasher/987267/18 "2023-07-20T22:04:15Z")
If you’re going to replace it anyway, it might be worth trying to fix it on your own. It could be something quick and straightforward, like a connector not tightened up all the way. If you can take off the bottom, see if you can spot where the leak is coming from. It may be a crack in the tub, around a pipe, etc. Sometimes the water coming through the leak will leave a residue, which would probably be white from either minerals or soap. That can also help pinpoint the leak. Of course, unplug it before doing any work. There’s a chance it could be a 5 minute fix. And if not, oh well, don’t worry. It was going in the trash anyway. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-dishwasher/987267/19 "2023-07-20T22:41:38Z")
You said it was a countertop appliance, but is it small enough to fit inside the sink? Could you just take off the bottom and run it in there instead? ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-dishwasher/987267/20 "2023-07-20T22:43:32Z")
No, it’s not that small. And too heavy to be lifting in and out of the sink whenever I wanted to use it.