The Top Arm Is Not Spinning in My Kenmore Ultra Wash Dishwasher

Loading

• The method used, when loading your Kenmore dishwasher, can make all the difference in the spinning action of the top arm of the dishwasher. If items hang down from the top rack, they can block the turning movement of the wash arm, and placing tall items in the bottom rack may have the same effect. Check items in the top rack to ensure nothing will slip and hang down to obstruct the spray arm and load the bottom rack with tall items along the sides or rear. Tilt items down so that the dishes get washed but there is nothing blocking the spray arm.

Debris

• The spray arm can also get clogged by food residue or labels that get wet and fall down from the racks. If the spray arm is blocked by a wet label or residue, the arm may not be able to spin properly. Clean off the top spray arm with a clean, damp cloth then turn the spray arm to ensure that the arm can make a complete rotation.

Blocked Jets

• The spray arm jets can get blocked by food deposits. Since the water pressure moving through the jets is what propels the spray arm, if the water cannot exit the jets, the spray arm cannot turn. Use a toothpick to clean out the spray arm jets.

Water Pressure

• Since water pressure is necessary for the spray arm to rotate, if the household water pressure is not high enough, the spray arm won’t work. To increase the water pressure to the dishwasher, do not use other appliances that use water when the dishwasher is running. If you are concerned about the household water pressure, contact a plumber for assistance.

Dishwasher Sump

• Another source of problems for the top spray arm is an obstruction in the chopper blade in the sump area. While homeowners familiar with appliance repair can access and inspect the sump, most owners should have a skilled professional perform this job because disassembling the sump is not a simple task. Owners who want to try to fix the problem can disconnect the power to the dishwasher, take out the inner feed tube, then turn the rear feed cap and remove the water tube assembly and the lower spray arm assembly. Once the lower spray arm assembly is out, remove the four screws that hold the soil accumulator onto the base of the sump and disassemble the sump assembly. There is a foreign object protector inside the sump assembly that can be checked and cleaned out.