My dishwasher out of no where stopped working. It would go through it's usual cycle, but no water was coming in. I watched this video and ended up ordering a new water inlet valve off Amazon for $8. With the help of this video, I was able to install the part myself. My dishwasher is working again. Thank you very much!
@boppins - I did some investigation before deciding it was the water inlet valve: Since most dishwashers start their cycles by draining the water, I dumped a pan of water in the bottom of the dishwasher and then started it. The water pumped out so I figured the pump was okay. Then i disconnected the water inlet hose to see if the water from the main line was actually getting to it and it was. Then I found a valve for $18 and figured it was worth a shot and it worked. Thanks for asking.
Always do the simplest thing first! The float switch must be working properly to get power to the water inlet valve. The float switch is right inside your dishwasher near the front. It is easy to take off the cover and make sure it is not stuck. Clean any soap residue and work the center rod up and down. It should move freely. If this is ok, then look at the water inlet valve.
If your dishwasher has a float (like GE ones), the float may be stuck. While watching this video I noticed this short GE video on the side. Dishwasher No Fill - Tap the Flood Float For me, tapping it wouldn't work, but I could unscrew the lid and see there was soap and food stuck underneath the float, preventing it from doing its thing. Once I removed the junk, the dishwasher worked again as expected. No new parts needed, just a wrench. Something easy that's worth checking before buying new parts or pulling out your dishwasher to get underneath.
Thanks for posting this video. I had never attempted to fix a dishwasher and in fact, was a little intimidated by it. After watching the video I gave it a try. Replaced the water inlet valve just like you indicated and now it's working like a champ! Thanks again!
Love your up-beat approach Tony; this really is the best presentation style, filling the enquirer with hope and happiness before they even start - plus there were no leaks afterwards!
Hey Tony, thanks for the vid, but I do want to add that the water supply line connection is a Compression Fitting. You should never use Teflon or thread sealer of any kind on a compression fitting, this can cause & lead to leaks!
Thank you Jonathon Snow for you comment about tapping the float valve with a wooden spoon. After seeing this video I was ready to replace the inlet valve. But after reading comments I decide to try the wooden spoon tapping on the float valve and it worked. Dishwasher is filling and is working great. Thank you, thank you, thank you.!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for the video! I am pretty sure this is my issue, and just needed a sound instruction. I am the one fixing this. The only person here to fix it! So, watch it with the wife bit! Ha! This single lady is doing it herself.
Thanks for the video!. I thought this was the issue with my dishwasher until I changed the water flow valve and still no water.. It ended up being a small piece of plastic stuck underneath the flood float. How simple. Problem fixed!
Hi Tool Dude Tony, great video. Was looking for a video on how to fix our dishwasher. I do not know anything about equip. of any kind but this video is very nice and clear and gave me the courage to check it. Thanks again!
Thanks for the kind words. Fixing stuff has a lot to do with attitude and you find out that a lot of things are really easy do once you dig in... Good luck with your repair.
I tested my inlet valve with an ohmmeter-good, then tested for voltage to the valve, no good. I was about to go after the control board when I noticed a little spoon under the float in the floor of the compartment. It was holding the float switch up, making the dishwasher think it was full so it wouldn't open the fill valve and let it fill. Took the spoon out and voila! All Better! So, lesson here is check the float switch first!
Your video made me the hero for the night! This really helped, I had no idea what I was doing and your video was very well thought out. Thanks so much!
@Jesse. Without actually checking it, the issue sounds like the main motor. But I don't know for sure. I recommend doing some google searches on your particular model of dishwasher to get an idea of what to check to know for sure. Sorry, I don't have a slam dunk answer for you. Thanks
TONY.... YOUR VIDEO IS GREAT... I AM GOING TO ORDER MY PART AND SEE IF THIS IS WHAT THE PROBLEM IS... MY DISHWASHER COMES ON BUT NO WATER... WISH ME LUCK... WAITING ON PART AND WILL LET YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS ONCE I CHANGE IT... THANKS AGAIN FOR A CLEAR AND EASY TO FOLLOW VIDEO!
Just putting in my 2¢ worth. If this is the factory original fill valve, save yourself some trouble. The fitting on the bottom, which is usually a 3/8 mpt to 3/8 compression, is usually so tight that you will break it trying to get it off. Just spend the extra $3.00 and get a new fitting, also don't forget a roll of Teflon tape to seal the 3/8 mpt side that goes into the valve, it's around a dollar. The compression side doesn't need tape.
Hi Tony, very good video but quick question. How do you know if its the water inlet valve causing the problem? Mine stopped filling but when you cut it on it makes a sound which is hard for me to describe in a note. lol So can you look at it and see that its burned out or something? Thanks!
My dishwasher was not adding fresh water...or maybe just a little bit (hard to tell if that water was already there or new) The water I put in the dishwasher is being pumped around the machine......so I just added water to the dishwasher (as suggested) to diagnose the problem. However that water will not drain out now that I have let the machine cycle through...do you think this problem is related to the inlet valve?
This was a great video. I was able to watch the video and quickly repair my own dishwasher, which also put some money back in my pocket by doing it myself. Thanks for the tip on buying parts, you were correct, after looking a little harder I was able to find the part I needed for much cheaper than I would have paid, if I would have bought the first one I seen.
Thank you for your very informative video. Our dishwasher wouldn't fill this morning, but instead I just smelled an electrical smell, and found that it was smoking a bit, so of course, turned it off. Do you think it would still be the water valve inlet in this case also?
Hey Trina, I'm not a pro at this stuff and what you are describing is over my head. I wish I could help, but unless I could physically mess with it, I'm at a loss. Sorry. BTW - Way to go with the troubleshooting you have done so far. You rock!
Great video, Tony. My dishwasher is doing the same thing, not getting water. I figured it was also the inlet valve but was not sure if I should take the chance on the part, but after seeing your video, I'm now sure it is. I look forward to more of your DYI videos. Thanks.
Thx for the video- really good. I have continuity to my valve and now not sure if it's mechanical or something else. If washer won't fill, how do you know if it's due to inlet valve or float switch?
How about cycle starts with draining, then filling and draining at the same time. Goes through entire cycles but never washes dishes. It fill and drains, fills and drains all at the same time? It does seem to have enough water to spray up to the top rack but, UGH dishes are nasty!! What is that all about ? I took apart and cleaned the screens, and areas on bottom where food seemed to be trapped. Any suggestions? 11yr old GE. Help me Mr. Tool
Hi Tony, great video! I have a question for you, how did you know it was the water inlet valve and not the pump itself? Is there a way to test for these things? I have a GE dishwasher, only a year old and you can hear it cycling but only a few drops of water when I open the door.
Thanks Tony. I have a Whirpool washer that's doing this. It's new as well! I think the old inlet valve is still there. Making a sound like it's trying to get the water in there, but nothing.
Just fixed my dishwasher. Wasn't filling. I assumed it was a bad valve. Turns out, the power was disconnected from the inlet valve. Would not have known any of this if not for YOUR *VERY WELL MADE* VIDEO ! THANKS !
Tony I have had a dishwasher that doesn't pump water for over a year. I was just going to replace the entire thing but I think I will try this first. Thanks so glad I subbed your channel
I got as far as taking off the water-in hose and testing it and worked fine.Then I found this video. Seems like it's probably the valve.Will try to replace tomorrow. Thanks Tool Dude Tony !
Thanks Tool Dude Tony! Not a clue before watching your video, but I have managed to extract the intake valve safely and the new one is on order. Also, I didn't flood the kitchen yay! Wish me luck with the installation of the new one...
Dishwasher filled with water, but had low pressure. Took inlet valve off. Checked screen on valve. It was clean. I blew through the valve and it was plugged. Eventually black powdery stuff plugging a tiny hole let go and there was air flow. Put everything back together and pressure seems a lot better now. Running first load now. Don't know if it's 100% fixed. I don't know what regular pressure looks like. Tricked dishwasher to run with door open to watch it fill. Messy! Had towel nearby.
$20 is not a lot of money, but I just wanted to be sure replacing the valve was the right course of repair. While inspecting the valve I found a kink in one of the lines. my Dishwasher is now working fine. Tip: One professional service call and repair could exceed the cost of a new dishwasher.
I liked your video (lots of personality) and I appreciated how you fast forwarded through the boring stuff. Just curious, why did you put teflon tape on the compression fitting side of the the DW 90?
Thank you very much for posting this video Tony! I was able to get the part, and install it, following your video step by step. You made it easy to do, and saved me a plumbers bill. Thanks again!
Excellent video - very well done!!! So informative and accurate -- especially excellent camera work in such a tight, tight space!!!!!! Thank You so much!
First, mane sure you didn't turn the knob on the dishwasher too far pass the cycle you want, lol! That's what I did the first time I ran the dishwasher in our new place. It was so nice to NOT have to dish out more cash! Thumbs up on your video!
Great video! I'm pretty sure that our inlet valve is fine but I'd like to clean the integrated filter (screen) that's in it. Our water system did something that sent minerals throughout the plumbing requiring cleaning of all faucet aerators and the inlet screen to the washing machine. Logic dictates that I have one more to go... whatever screen is on the front end of the dishwasher! Once removed, remove the for screws holding that little plate and find the screen behind that? I guess I should have a replacement in hand in the event I screw that up; and, come to think of it, just install that one, right? :)
Well, I replaced the inlet valve on my G.E. dishwasher but still nothing. I also checked the float and it seems to be OK. The little fan motor just to the right of the inlet valve is the only thing that runs. I'm stumped. It seems that I'm facing the same problem that Karl is experiencing.
I have a 2011 sears Kenmore elite dishwasher. Its starts out with enough water. It drains and refills during the cycle and after 19 minutes a message pops up after a series of beeps that states there is not enough water to complete the cycle and to see owners manual. Manual says nothing. I can hear the float click when lifting it. Any ideas what it could be? Very strange because initially the dishwasher has enough water when first starting....Verified by looking and seeing how high it is. After the message appears and looking the water level is lower. There is a drain and refill before reaching the 19 min mark so the appears to be happening on the second fill. Any ideas?
Dishwasher lets a little water come in, but immediately pumps it back out. Followed your video & replaced the inlet valve, but nothing changed. Float seems to be working o.k. Any thoughts on where to go next? Thanks
Question... Mine fills with water and run threw all the cycles but does not clean the dishes, the soap is still in the tray and is hardened. Since it fills with water would that rule out the inlet valve? i checked inside, nothing is clogged. could the problem be a bad motor / impeller? when the machine is trying to wash it does sound like the motor is running tho. Please help..Thanks
Thanks for the video Tool Dude. My Kenmore dishwasher seems to fill with water and do an effective job at washing the dishes during the wash cycle, but when it's time to rinse the dishes, the d/w only makes a motor sound and no water comes in to the tub, therefore the dishes are not rinsed. Does that sound plausible?
