A dishwasher that hums but does not fill with water is usually caused by either a defective water inlet valve or float switch. If your dishwasher’s water inlet fill line features a flood-safe hose, this may also cause the problem. If the dishwasher has not been used for over a week, this can also cause the issue, as the dishwasher pump seals may have dried out.
The first thing to check is that the water supply is turned on to the dishwasher. Most households have a faucet under the sink that needs to be turned counterclockwise to allow water to flow into the dishwasher. If you live in a cold climate, another consideration is that the water supply line may have frozen.
When the control panel or timer signals the water inlet valve, it should open and allow water into the dishwasher. If the water inlet valve is defective, the dishwasher could still be humming but not getting the water it needs. A defective water inlet valve may also cause a loud buzzing or squealing sound.
To inspect and replace the water inlet valve, the bottom access panel or kickplate will need to be removed. On some dishwashers, you may need to remove the dishwasher door, usually with a T15 Torx Driver, to gain access.
A defective water inlet valve can be visually inspected for signs of wear and tear. An ohm test can also be conducted with a multimeter. If the test measures infinity, one of the solenoids may have failed. However, this multimeter test is often unreliable. To correctly test the water inlet valve, a more advanced AC or DC voltage test is required. It is recommended that a trained professional perform this test.
To check and replace the water inlet valve, see the instructions below.
The water inlet valve can become clogged, usually due to calcium deposits. If your water supply has a known hard water issue, it is more likely that this is the cause of the issue. A clogged water inlet valve can be diagnosed and fixed by locating the filter screens inside the water inlet valve’s hose fitting ports.
If the water inlet valve screens are clogged, you may be able to wipe or scrape the debris off the screens or remove the screens and clean them. The screens can also be soaked in a water and vinegar solution to decalcify them. However, water inlet valves are usually cheap to replace, and repairs to a water inlet valve often result in it leaking and causing more problems. Therefore, replacing the valve is usually the better option.
To check and replace the water inlet valve:
The float is located at the bottom of the dishwasher tub. The float moves up and down in relation to the water level and is a safety device to prevent the dishwasher from overflowing. If the float is not working correctly, it could be responsible for the dishwasher humming and not filling with water.
To check the float:
The float switch tells the water inlet valve to either stop or allow water into the dishwasher. If the float is working and the water inlet valve is not responsible, the float switch is likely to be responsible for the dishwasher humming but not filling with water.
To check and replace the float switch:
If the dishwasher has not been used in a while, the dishwasher pump seals can dry out and stick, which can cause the dishwasher to make noise but not fill with water.
To fix the problem:
Some dishwashers have a check valve in the water inlet fill hose that can occasionally fail and stop water from coming into the dishwasher. If the above solutions have not solved the issue, you may need to contact a trained professional to diagnose and replace the water inlet fill hose.
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