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My Dishwasher Is Halfway Stuck Under the Counter

Installing a dishwasher is not the most difficult home improvement project you will encounter, but it is not without its occasional glitches. Dishwashers have to be shoved into snug spaces with little to no space between the dishwasher and the surrounding cabinetry. It is no wonder that the homeowner will occasionally run into a few snafus, such as the dishwasher getting stuck halfway underneath the countertop.
  1. Disconnecting

    • One reason your dishwasher might get stuck halfway under the counter is that you may have forgotten to disconnect all of the wires and supply lines that make it run. These can usually be accessed by removing the panel at the bottom of the dishwasher, just below the dishwasher door. You need to make sure the power supply, the hot water line and the drain hose have all been disconnected. These may also get caught on the machine, causing it to get stuck halfway when pulling it out.

    Leaks

    • Another reason that your dishwasher may become stuck as you pull it out from under the counter is that it may have sprung a leak that damaged the floor. If you have a wood floor that rotted as a result of a leak, this could cause the feet of the dishwasher to dig into the soft floor, causing it to stick halfway out. The dishwasher feet may need adjusted by screwing them upward and back into the machine. These legs are located on each corner of the dishwasher and can be extremely difficult to access. They may only need to be turned slightly to give you enough space to get the dishwasher out.

    Evenness

    • When pulling the dishwasher out from under the counter, you also have to pull evenly from both sides. You should open or remove the front door and grab the dishwasher under the front two corners and pull, trying not to lift the dishwasher or pull one side out faster than the other. Because there is no space between the countertop, the counters and the dishwasher, it must come out straight and perfectly perpendicular to the cabinets and countertop.

    Installation

    • Many of the same rules apply when installing the dishwasher. Ensure that all of the hoses and wires are tucked out of the way and ensure that the feet are in as far as they can go. Clean out the area under the counter because any amount of debris can cause your dishwasher to stick. You also need to push it under evenly from both sides and from the bottom so that it slides back straight and all the way under the counter.