Why Is the Upper Spray Arm on a Kenmore Dishwasher Not Spinning?

Loading

• When you load your dishwasher, the loading method could make all the difference in how the upper spray arm operates during the wash cycle. If any of the dishes hang down from the upper rack or are overly large, they can block the upper spray arm’s movements. When loading up the dishwasher, make sure that none of the dishes hang down and that you place larger dishes to the side or the bottom rack’s rear avoiding blocking the upper spray arm. Everything should tilt down as much as possible to avoid this possibility.

Debris

• If the dishes still have bits of food on them, it is possible for the debris to become caught up in the upper spray arm, clogging it. If the clog is large, it can prevent the upper spray arm from spinning properly. Use a damp cloth to wipe off the upper spray arm to remove any debris. As you clean it, turn the spray arm to make sure it can move in all directions with ease. Continue to clean until complete movement is restored.

Water Pressure

• The spray arm requires water pressure for power it as it rotates to clean the dishes. If the household’s water pressure isn’t strong enough, it can inhibit the spray arm’s movements. To increase the water pressure entering the dishwasher, cease use of any other appliance that uses water while the dishwasher is in use. If this doesn’t stop the problem, contact a plumber to investigate the problem.

Blocked Jets

• The jets of the spray arm are easily clogged by both water and food deposits, which can cause the water pressure to be lower than normal. Clean out the jets with a toothpick and use a damp cloth to wipe away and excess. As you clean the jets, blast some water onto the jets to help rinse them out using a squirt bottle.