Frigidaire Dishwasher: not filling with water

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your Frigidaire dishwasher not filling with water? If the cycle starts but the tub remains dry, it could be due to a blocked water supply line, a faulty water inlet valve, or a stuck float assembly. Understanding the causes can help you troubleshoot effectively.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Frigidaire Models

  • Official Frigidaire troubleshooting highlights checking that water valves are open and supply line is not blocked.

Possible Causes

Water supply issues (valve not open / supply line blocked or kinked)

How to Identify: Check if the under-sink dishwasher water shut-off valve is fully open; inspect the flexible supply hose for kinks, bends, or visible obstructions; test home water pressure.

Part: Water supply line and shut-off valve

Faulty or clogged water inlet valve

How to Identify: No sound of water entering when cycle starts; multimeter continuity test of inlet valve shows failure; debris at inlet valve screen.

Part: Water inlet valve

Float assembly or float switch stuck/malfunctioning

How to Identify: Float stuck in high position or obstructed; float switch continuity fails; float does not move freely up/down.

Part: Float assembly and float switch

Faulty door latch or door switch

How to Identify: Dishwasher does not start fill cycle because door isn’t detected as closed; no click when closing; test door switch continuity.

Part: Door latch / door switch

Control board or electronic control failure

How to Identify: Dishwasher does not send signal to inlet valve; may display error codes, cycles skipped stages.

Part: Control board / timer

DIY Solutions

Ensure Water Supply Is On and Lines Are Clear

Easy 5–15 minutes
Tools Needed: none
  1. Locate the dishwasher water shut-off valve (typically under the sink) and ensure it is fully open.
  2. Inspect the water supply hose from the shut-off valve to the dishwasher for kinks or bends and straighten or adjust as needed.
⚠️ Safety First: None beyond basic caution around plumbing connections.

Clean or Test the Float Assembly and Float Switch

Moderate 15–30 minutes
Tools Needed: screwdriver, multimeter (optional)
  1. Turn off power to the dishwasher.
  2. Remove lower dish rack and locate float assembly at bottom of tub.
  3. Move float up and down to ensure it isn’t stuck; remove debris blocking movement.
  4. If possible, access float switch and test for continuity with a multimeter; replace if faulty.
⚠️ Safety First: Disconnect power before accessing internal components.

Inspect and Clean Water Inlet Valve

Moderate 20–40 minutes
Tools Needed: screwdriver, multimeter, bucket/towel
  1. Turn off water supply and power to the dishwasher.
  2. Remove access panel to locate water inlet valve at bottom left.
  3. Inspect screen for debris; clean if needed.
  4. Test valve for continuity; if no continuity, replace the valve.
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure power and water are off to avoid electrical shock and water spills.

Professional Repairs

Replace Water Inlet Valve or Water Supply Components

Estimated Cost: $50–$150 (parts) + labor

Replace Float Switch or Door Switch

Estimated Cost: $30–$120 (parts) + labor

Control Board Diagnosis and Replacement

Estimated Cost: $150–$400 (parts) + labor

When to Call a Professional

Cannot identify or access internal components safely
Inlet valve or control board replacement beyond DIY skill level
Water still not filling after basic checks and DIY fixes

Preventive Maintenance

  • Inspect float and filters: Float sticking and clogs that can impede filling
    Frequency: monthly
  • Check water supply hose condition: Kinked or damaged hose restricting water flow
    Frequency: annually

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Frigidaire Dishwasher not filling with water?
Common causes include blocked water supply lines, a faulty water inlet valve, or a stuck float assembly.
How do I fix Frigidaire Dishwasher not filling with water myself?
Check the water supply, clean the float assembly, and inspect the water inlet valve for debris.
How much does it cost to fix not filling with water?
Professional repairs can range from $50 to $400 depending on the issue and parts needed.
When should I call a technician for not filling with water?
If DIY solutions do not resolve the issue or if the problem involves the 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?

75%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Inlet valve issue (3 mentions)
  • Air in the lines (1 mentions)

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Replace the inlet valve to fix water filling issue.

    Success rate: 17.0%

  2. Ensure drain hose has a loop to prevent siphoning.

    Success rate: 17.0%

  3. Address air in the lines after replacing the inlet valve.

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

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

  1. Frigidaire dishwasher won’t fill with water.
  2. Frigidaire Dishwasher not working anymore after cleaning the...
  3. Frigidaire (Gallery) i10 Error Code followed by i30
  4. Need help! Dishwasher seems to be draining the water during ...
  5. Frigidaire dishwasher #FFCD2418US1A no water
  6. Dishwasher fix or repair?

Community Discussions

won’t fill with water

Air in the lines after replacing the inlet valve was causing the issue.

DIY View on Reddit →

not enough water to spin arms

Replace the inlet valve to fix water filling issue.

DIY View on Reddit →

Dishwasher drains water during wash cycles

The drain hose needs a loop to prevent siphoning.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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