Bosch Dishwasher: not spinning

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your Bosch dishwasher not spinning? This common issue often leads to inadequate cleaning as the spray arms fail to rotate, leaving food debris on your dishes. The problem may stem from blocked spray arms, a faulty control board, or even physical damage. Address this promptly to restore optimal performance.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Bosch Models

  • Bosch official troubleshooting notes emphasize debris buildup in spray arms as the most common cause of non-spinning arms.

Possible Causes

Spray arms blocked by debris or food buildup

How to Identify: Inspect spray arms for stuck food particles, grease, or mineral buildup; arms do not freely turn by hand.

Part: Upper and lower spray arms

Faulty electronic control board or user interface control

How to Identify: Dishwasher does not complete cycles, display errors, or cycles stop prematurely before spray arms engage.

Part: Control board or user interface module

Physical damage to spray arms or supports

How to Identify: Cracked or broken arms/supports; visible mechanical damage preventing rotation.

Part: Spray arm or support fittings

DIY Solutions

Clean spray arms and remove debris

Easy 15–30 minutes
Tools Needed: soft brush, toothpick or small brush, warm soapy water
  1. Turn off power and open dishwasher.
  2. Remove upper and lower racks to access spray arms.
  3. Unscrew or unclip spray arms if applicable.
  4. Clean out holes and surfaces with warm soapy water and a small brush/toothpick.
  5. Reinstall arms and run a short rinse cycle to test spin.
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure power is off before working inside dishwasher.

Clean filter and sump area

Moderate 15–40 minutes
Tools Needed: gloves, sponge or soft cloth, warm water
  1. Turn off power and remove bottom rack.
  2. Locate and remove filter assembly at the bottom.
  3. Empty and rinse the filter and clean surrounding sump area.
  4. Reinstall filters and run a rinse cycle to check improvement.
⚠️ Safety First: Handle filter parts carefully; consult manual for correct reassembly.

Professional Repairs

Replace circulation pump/motor assembly

Estimated Cost: $150–$400

Replace electronic control board or UI module

Estimated Cost: $200–$500

When to Call a Professional

Pump/motor makes loud noises such as grinding or humming
Control panel is unresponsive or shows error codes
DIY cleaning doesn’t restore normal spin

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean spray arms and filters regularly: Debris buildup preventing spray arms from spinning
    Frequency: monthly

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Bosch Dishwasher not spinning?
Your Bosch dishwasher may not be spinning due to blocked spray arms, faulty electronic control, or physical damage.
How do I fix Bosch Dishwasher not spinning myself?
You can clean the spray arms and filter. Access the spray arms by removing racks and clean any debris.
How much does it cost to fix not spinning?
Professional repairs for a Bosch dishwasher not spinning can range from $150 to $500 depending on the issue.
When should I call a technician for not spinning?
If DIY solutions don't resolve the issue or if you suspect a faulty control board, it's time to call a technician.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

50%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Improper installation of spray arm (1 mentions)
  • Insufficient water supply (1 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Adjusting the spray arm installation to ensure proper movement

    Success rate: 17.0%

  2. Pouring water into the dishwasher during the cycle to improve spray arm movement

    Success rate: 17.0%
Analysis based on 6 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. Why my arms not spinning?
  2. Bosch SHXM78Z55N/01 dishwasher upper sprayer arm not spinnin...
  3. Bosch dishwasher upper arm not spinning enough
  4. Bosch Dishwasher Pump Motor not spinning after flooding UK
  5. Bosch dishwasher PowerControl arm not moving/spinning
  6. Moving a dishwasher on its back

Community Discussions

PowerControl arm not moving/spinning

The spray arm was likely not properly set during installation, and after adjusting it, it began to move.

DIY View on Reddit →

spray arms not spinning

Pouring water into the dishwasher during the cycle improved the spray arm movement.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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