My Dishwasher is Not Making Enough Pressure

Supply Line Pressure

• Your dishwasher’s water supply line needs to have sufficient water pressure to operate correctly. Dishwasher manufacturer General Electric recommends that the water pressure on the water supply line measures between 20 and 120 pounds per square inch. You can purchase a water pressure gauge at your local hardware store if you suspect the water pressure is not sufficient. Locate the water supply valve to which the dishwasher’s water supply line connects. Open the valve all the way by twisting its handle counterclockwise until it stops turning. A partially closed supply valve decreases the water pressure. If the water pressure still is not sufficient, contact a plumber for further help.

Clogged Spray Arm

• The spray arm is the spinning blade that sits in the bottom of the dishwasher. The spray arm should spray water and soap into the dishwasher with enough pressure that it removes food buildup from the dishes. The spray arm has several holes in it where the water exits. Debris can clog the holes, either partially or completely, reducing the spray pressure in the dishwasher. Remove the spray arm, and clean it by inserting a wire into the holes. To decrease the likelihood that the spray arm becomes clogged again, rinse food off your dishes before you place them in the dishwasher.

Base Cleaning

• The base that the spray arm sits on can become clogged with food particles and grease, lowering the spray water pressure inside the dishwasher. With the spray arm off the base, dislodge the buildup from the base and its openings using a scrub brush or old toothbrush. Once you have loosened the debris, wipe it away with a sponge or paper towel.

Dirty Float

• While you are cleaning out the dishwasher, clean the float switch, since it likely has food debris caked on it, just like the spray arm and its base. The float assembly controls how much water sits in the bottom of the dishwasher. If the water level is too low in the dishwasher, the machine cannot clean the dishes properly even with sufficient water pressure. If the float switch has a cover, remove its retaining screw, so you can lift off the cover and scrub clean both the cover and the float switch.