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A dishwasher needs two things to clean your dishes: detergent and water. Still, having a water supply makes no difference if the machine refuses to fill. So why might that happen?
A dishwasher won’t fill with water if the current wash cycle is paused due to a power interruption or an open door. Besides that, a lack of incoming water supply, a stuck float switch, and a drain hose that’s less than 20 inches off the ground can also prevent the machine from filling normally.
A dishwasher without water is useless. So, this guide will help you fix that by showing you what to troubleshoot and how to do it.
Note: We will be using an Amana dishwasher as an example in this article, but the principles apply to most other brands, as well.
Why Your Dishwasher Won’t Fill With Water
When you’ve started a new wash cycle, but your Amana dishwasher doesn’t fill, you should troubleshoot the issue immediately. That way, you can minimize the downtime you’ll experience.
Here are 4 likely issues preventing your appliance from filling and how you can resolve each one quickly:
Paused Wash Cycle
About this: As you begin the troubleshooting process, you must start with the easiest and quickest issues to rule out. In this case, check whether or not the wash cycle you’ve selected has been paused.
Even though you’ve just started a new wash cycle, you might have also paused it accidentally. That will prevent the dishwasher from filling with water to begin the washing process.
You’ll know this is the case when the Start/Resume indicator on your Amana dishwasher is flashing. That means your dishwashing cycle is paused and will explain why the appliance isn’t behaving correctly.
What’s happening: Your Amana dishwasher won’t fill with water because the current wash cycle has been paused. There are three likely causes for this, which are:
- The dishwasher has just experienced a brief power interruption
- The dishwasher door is not fully closed
- You accidentally paused the dishwashing cycle before the filling phase
Any of the three issues above will cause the dishwasher to pause and prevent it from filling.
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How to fix it: You can solve this problem quickly by unpausing the cycle. Firstly, ensure that the dishwasher door is fully closed. Check to ensure that no foreign objects prevent it from closing and forming a tight seal with the dishwasher’s body.
Second, press the Start/Resume button to unpause the cycle. The dishwasher will continue its cycle and fill at the right moment.
Read: How To Unlock Locked GE Profile Dishwasher Control Panel?
No Incoming Water Supply (dishwasher won’t fill With Water)
About this: Amana dishwashers must be connected to a reliable and continuous water supply. That supply is provided through a water line attached to the back of the appliance, which brings water from your household plumbing.
More specifically, your household water line connects to the dishwasher’s water inlet valve that controls water inflow.
When the Amana dishwasher wants to fill, it’ll signal the water inlet valve to open for as long as needed to get enough water inside the appliance.
What’s happening: The second reason your Amana dishwasher won’t fill is that it’s not receiving any incoming water supply.
A lack of water means there’s an issue at one of these points along the water supply:
- Your household water supply: Firstly, your household might be experiencing a water supply disruption. You can confirm this by opening your kitchen sink tap to see if there’s any incoming water.
- The water line connected to the dishwasher: If your household has running water, check the water line connected to the dishwasher. The line might be bent or kinked, preventing water from flowing to the dishwasher.
- The water inlet valve: Once you rule out the two reasons above, check the water inlet valve. The valve is likely not opening to let water into the dishwasher, and that’s why it’s not filling.
Again, be sure to start from the items that are easiest to rule out. That will save you plenty of troubleshooting time and effort.
How to fix it: Firstly, you’ll have to ensure your household has running water. Then, inspect the water line behind your dishwasher. You’ll want to free it from any kinks or bends and check that the dishwasher isn’t squeezing it against the wall behind it.
Lastly, remove the water inlet valve and inspect it closely. You can easily remove any jammed objects or residue preventing it from opening.
Unfortunately, an electrical failure means you’ll have to replace the component with another one that works.
Read: GE Profile Dishwasher Control Panel Problems And How To Troubleshoot Them?
Stuck Float Switch
About this: Amana dishwashers measure their water levels using a float switch. The switch helps the machine know when there’s not enough water, thereby triggering it to open its valve and fill itself.
Once the dishwasher has enough water, the float switch will trigger it to stop. That way, it prevents the appliance from overflowing with water.
What’s happening: Your Amana dishwasher won’t fill with water if it mistakenly thinks it’s already full. That will happen when the float switch gets stuck, which tells the dishwasher not to fill with any more water.
The float switch can get stuck because of food, grease, or detergent buildup formed after many cycles.
How to fix it: Fixing a stuck float switch is as straightforward as cleaning away any buildup affecting it. Be sure to remove anything around or under the float and ensure that it can move up and down freely.
Read: GE Dishwasher – Lights Flashing And Beeping (What Causes That And How To Fix It?)
Incorrect Drain Hose Position
About this: The dishwasher’s drain hose is crucial for removing used water from the machine and sending it out through your household drain.
The drain hose has no direct connection to the machine’s filling process. However, its positioning can have an indirect effect.
The drain hose must be positioned high enough off the ground to drain water effectively. A dishwasher drain hose must be at least 20 inches off the ground when it connects to your household plumbing.
What’s happening: The final reason to consider is that your Amana dishwasher’s drain hose is not positioned high enough at the other end. When it’s too low, it can cause a phenomenon known as siphoning.
In simple terms, the incorrectly positioned drain hose allows water to flow backwards into the dishwasher. Then, the water levels in your dishwasher never go down, preventing the machine from allowing any clean water to flow inwards.
How to fix it: This problem’s solution is correctly repositioning the drain hose. As mentioned before, the other end of the drain hose must be kept 20 inches off the ground when it connects to a waste tee or disposer inlet.
Read: GE Dishwasher 888 Code. How To Fix It?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The troubleshooting process can sometimes be quite confusing, but don’t worry. Here are a few more answers to help you understand your Amana dishwasher and its functions:
How Long Does It Take For An Amana Dishwasher To Fill Up?
Your Amana dishwasher only needs 60-120 seconds to fill with water, though it differs between models. Still, you’ll need to troubleshoot the appliance if it takes longer than a few minutes to fill.
Where Does The Drain Hose Go On An Amana Dishwasher?
The drain hose connects to the bottom of the dishwasher. The other end connects to your household drain through a waste tee or garbage disposal unit.
Read: GE Dishwasher Troubleshooting. List Of Common Causes And How To Fix Them?
Will A Dishwasher Start If The Door Isn’t Closed?
No, your dishwasher won’t start the cycle if the door is closed. Instead, it’ll pause the cycle for as long as the door stays open.
How Do You Test A Float Switch?
You can quickly test a float switch by raising and lowering it by hand. As you do that, listen for a clicking sound as the float triggers the switch underneath. When you hear that clicking sound, the float switch is still working.
What Happens If You Open A Dishwasher Door Mid-Cycle?
Your dishwasher will pause and beep if you open the door mid-cycle. Meanwhile, the current wash cycle will remain paused until you close the door.
