Frigidaire Dishwasher: not cleaning properly

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your Frigidaire dishwasher leaving behind food residue or a cloudy film on your dishes? If your dishes are coming out dirty after a complete cycle, this could be due to common issues like clogged filters or blocked spray arms. Understanding these problems can help restore your dishwasher's cleaning efficiency.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Frigidaire Models

  • Frigidaire official guides specifically note food debris blocking spray arms and dispenser can cause poor cleaning

Possible Causes

Clogged Filters

How to Identify: Visible debris/food particles trapped in filter; slow draining water; dirty water at bottom after cycle

Part: Dishwasher filter (coarse and fine)

Clogged or Blocked Spray Arms

How to Identify: Spray arm holes blocked with food debris or mineral buildup; arms don’t spin freely; reduced water pressure jets

Part: Upper or lower spray arms

Improper Loading and Detergent Issues

How to Identify: Overloaded racks, items blocking spray arms, detergent left in dispenser at end of cycle

Part: User loading technique and detergent dispenser

Water Supply Temperature Too Low

How to Identify: Water temperature below ~120°F; greasy or partially cleaned dishes

Part: Household hot water supply

Water Inlet Valve or Water Pressure Issues

How to Identify: Dishwasher doesn’t fill correctly; dishes not cleaned; unusual fill noises

Part: Water inlet valve

Faulty Circulation Pump or Wash Impeller

How to Identify: No water spray during cycle; motor humming or silent after fill; multiple cycles without cleaning improvement

Part: Circulation pump/impeller

Heating Element Failure

How to Identify: Water not heated during cycle; cloudy film or greasy residue on dishes

Part: Heating element

DIY Solutions

Clean Filters

Easy 10-20 minutes
Tools Needed: warm water, soft brush
  1. Remove lower rack to access filter
  2. Twist and remove filter assembly
  3. Rinse under warm water and scrub debris with brush
  4. Reassemble filter and replace rack
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure dishwasher is off before reaching inside

Clear Spray Arms

Moderate 15-30 minutes
Tools Needed: toothpick or small brush, warm soapy water
  1. Remove upper and lower spray arms per manual
  2. Use toothpick/brush to clear each spray hole
  3. Soak arms in warm soapy water if mineral buildup exists
  4. Reinstall arms ensuring they spin freely
⚠️ Safety First: Avoid forcing components; note orientation before removal

Adjust Loading and Detergent Use

Easy 5-10 minutes
  1. Space dishes to avoid blocking spray arms
  2. Scrape large food chunks before loading
  3. Use correct type and amount of dishwasher detergent
  4. Check dispenser for blockages

Increase Water Temperature

Easy 10-15 minutes
  1. Adjust water heater to ~120°F
  2. Run hot water at nearest sink before starting dishwasher
  3. Select a cycle with boosted heat if available
⚠️ Safety First: Be cautious raising water heater temperature

Professional Repairs

Replace Water Inlet Valve

Estimated Cost: $50 - $150

Replace Circulation Pump or Wash Impeller

Estimated Cost: $100 - $300

Replace Heating Element

Estimated Cost: $50 - $200

When to Call a Professional

Dishwasher still doesn’t clean after cleaning filters and spray arms
Pump or motor makes unusual noises or is silent after fill
Water inlet valve suspected blocked or defective

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean filters: Clogs that reduce cleaning effectiveness
    Frequency: monthly
  • Inspect and clean spray arms: Mineral and food buildup reducing water spray performance
    Frequency: every 3 months
  • Run dishwasher cleaning cycle with vinegar: Mineral deposit buildup
    Frequency: quarterly

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Frigidaire Dishwasher not cleaning properly?
Common causes include clogged filters, blocked spray arms, and improper loading.
How do I fix Frigidaire Dishwasher not cleaning properly myself?
You can clean filters, clear spray arms, and adjust loading and detergent use.
How much does it cost to fix not cleaning properly?
Professional repairs can range from $50 to $300 depending on the issue.
When should I call a technician for not cleaning properly?
Consider calling a technician if DIY solutions don't resolve the issue or if complex repairs are needed.

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: Professional

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Malfunctioning wash pump (2 mentions)
  • Clogged filter (1 mentions)
  • Detergent issues (pods getting stuck, gel causing residue) (1 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Clean the filter, use dishwasher cleaning tabs, and switch to powder detergent.

    Success rate: 17.0%

  2. Replace the wash pump (part number 154853801).

    Success rate: 17.0%

  3. Consider replacing the circulation pump.

    Success rate: 0.0%
Analysis based on 5 community discussions
View Sources

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

  1. Dishwasher leaving crumbs on dishes
  2. Frigidaire dishwasher not working right
  3. dishwasher troubleshooting
  4. Do I need a new dishwasher?
  5. Dishwasher troubleshooting

Community Discussions

leaving food residue on dishes and not cleaning properly

Possible wash pump malfunction; part number 154853801.

DIY View on Reddit →

leaving food residue on dishes and not cleaning properly

Possible circulation pump malfunction; consider replacing the pump.

DIY View on Reddit →

lots of stuff coming out still dirty and crazy water spots

Clean the filter, use dishwasher cleaning tabs, and switch to powder detergent.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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