Autumn Deals & Coupon Codes for 2023
Technicians Available Now: November 29
All Appliance Service
1-888-242-0777 arrow_down
formRequest Service
Technicians Available Now: November 29

Dishwasher Soap Not Dissolving

Oleg Chudnovski, CEO

Technically Reviewed by Oleg Chudnovski, CEO on Nov 17, 2023 | Written by Fix Appliances CA Editorial Contributors

Authorized repair service for most home appliance manufacturers

The messy residue and waste of soap that comes from dishwasher soap not dissolving can result from a malfunction in the components of your dishwasher, broken parts of the dishwasher system, or even settings that need to be changed. 

Our local professional appliance team near me can diagnose, find, and repair all of the reasons for dishwasher pods and soap not dissolving. We have years of experience and can troubleshoot this and any problem with your appliances while giving you peace of mind in the process. 

Reasons Why Soap is Still in the Dishwasher After the Cycle

At FIX Appliances CA, we have seen it all and can help you diagnose any reason why a dishwasher tablet is not dissolving. Below are some of the main reasons soap is not dissolving in your dishwasher.

Reason 1: Soap Dispenser Door is Broken

One of the most common problems that can cause dishwasher detergent not to dissolve during the cycle is that the soap dispenser door that holds the soap, pods, or tablets is broken or blocked. A broken dispenser door will hold the tablet in place and not allow the full force of the dishwasher cycle water to reach and dissolve the soap fully.

Reason 2: Drain Pump Clogged or Broken

The water pump delivers water to the dishwashing cycle and also pumps used water out of the drain at the bottom of the dishwasher. There are several components to the dishwasher pump system, including hoses, clamps, and the pump mechanism itself. If the water pump system has a failure in it, dishwasher soap will not dissolve properly, and the dishwasher will not drain completely.

Reason 3: Sprayer Arm Is Not Working

The sprayer arm is connected to the water inlet valve and is the mechanism that delivers water from the water pump into the dishwasher cycle by spinning and spraying. If the sprayer arm is clogged or not spinning correctly, there may not be enough water reaching the soap during the cycle. A lack of water during a cycle is a cause for dishwasher soap not dissolving.

Reason 4: Water Inlet Valve Faulty

The water inlet valve is the gatekeeper between the water pump and the sprayer arm of your dishwasher. Over time, hard water can build up in the valve and clog it. The valve can even become loose or damaged, letting in less and less water to the sprayer arm over time. As we know, lack of water during the dishwasher cycle is one of the main reasons for dishwasher pods not dissolving

DISHWASHER SOAP NOT DISSOLVING

3 Common Actions to Fix the Problem

When soap is left in the dishwasher after you run a cycle, your dishes will be left with slimy residue and unsightly solid particles. The dishes may not even be cleaned properly. This is a big problem, and now that you know a few of the main causes of dishwasher soap not dissolving, below are listed the best actions you can take to fix soap that is still in the dishwasher after the cycle.

Step 1: Unclog the Sprayer Arm

The sprayer arm on most dishwashers has many openings that allow streams of water to shoot out at high pressure. When the sprayer is working properly, these streams of water can even dislodge food particles from dishes.

Since the location of the sprayer arm of a dishwasher is below the dishes in most dishwashers, the openings can become clogged by food residue and particles. The best way to unclog the sprayer arm is to visually inspect the opening and use a scrub brush or sponge to remove any debris from the openings that you see.

Step 2: Repair or Replace Soap Dispenser Door

The soap dispenser door holds the dishwasher soap pods of tablets and then comes open from a mechanism in the door when the cycle begins. The door needs to open properly to allow the full force of water to reach the soap and allow it to dissolve.

If the soap dispenser door is not opening, you may need to clean around it to remove residue, hard water buildup, or food particles. If this does not fix the problem, you may need to remove the entire door casing and replace it with a new one.

Step 3: Clean or Replace the Water Inlet Valve

The water inlet valve has a screen to catch hard water particles and other minerals. It is also a point of high water pressure and can become damaged or loose. If you visually inspect the water valve and see hard water buildup, you can probably clean it out and fix your problem. However, if there are cracks in the valve’s body, it needs to be replaced with an identical part.

Reasons Why FIX Appliances CA Should Be Your First Choice

Our team has worked on our customers’ home appliances for over 18 years. We can troubleshoot and fix the problem quickly while delivering great customer service and even a follow-up house call with each repair. Our highly trained and licensed repairmen can always get you the right part for the job.

Some of the best reasons to choose FIX Appliances CA for your next repair job on a dishwasher with soap not dissolving are:

  • Authorized repair service for more than 20 manufacturers
  • Highly trained licensed professionals
  • Motivated and friendly staff
  • Customer service is our #1 priority

Addressing a dishwasher that isn’t cleaning properly can be both time-consuming and costly. Act promptly by requesting our service or calling us at 1-888-242-0777 for same-day dishwasher repair service in Toronto, Mississauga, Barrie, and the surrounding GTA areas. Waiting is unnecessary when you connect with our FIX Appliances CA representatives. Rest assured that our dedicated team is ready and eager to help you with all your appliance repair needs.

Date of page creation: July 05, 2020

Page update date: November 17, 2023

fixappliance

What Our Customers Say About Us

Discover how Fix Appliances maintains a 5-star service record since day one.

“Our dishwasher was leaking. The appliance dishwasher expert came after making a simple phone call a couple of days prior. They were professional and sincere. Although they were not able to diagnose the problem, they remained honest and told us what we should do instead (contact the manufacturer) and did not charge us anything at all for inspection. If we end up having other appliance issues in the future, we will be using this company again.”

rating Melody,
Melody,
Panasonic Dishwasher Repair
September 07, 2022

The serviceman, Danny, was very efficient at repairing our dishwasher and did a great job ensure the space was clean before he left. I would recommend Danny and use him again for future repairs.

rating colin, Toronto
colin, Toronto
August 12, 2019

FAQ: Frequent Asked Questions

There could be various reasons for dishwasher soap not dissolving, including a broken soap dispenser door, a clogged or broken drain pump, a malfunctioning sprayer arm, or a faulty water inlet valve.
If the soap dispenser door is broken or blocked, it may prevent the tablet from dissolving. You can check for this issue by inspecting the dispenser door for any visible damage or obstruction.
A malfunctioning sprayer arm may lead to insufficient water reaching the soap during the cycle. To address this issue, visually inspect the sprayer arm's openings and use a scrub brush or sponge to remove any debris that may be causing a blockage.
If the water inlet valve is faulty, there may be a decrease in water reaching the sprayer arm. You can inspect the valve for hard water buildup; if found, cleaning it might solve the issue. However, if there are cracks in the valve, it needs to be replaced with an identical part.
Three common actions to address the problem include unclogging the sprayer arm by removing debris, repairing or replacing the soap dispenser door, and cleaning or replacing the water inlet valve if there is hard water buildup or damage. Following these steps can help ensure proper soap dissolution during the dishwasher cycle.

More Problems & Solutions from Our Blog

Miele Dishwasher Circulation Pump Repair Issues

Miele Dishwasher Circulation Pump Repair Issues

DISHWASHER / REQUEST SERVICE / TIPS

Being a German manufacturer of high-end domestic appliances and commercial equipment, headquartered in the city of Gü...

Read
15 Things You Should Never Put in a Dishwasher

15 Things You Should Never Put in a Dishwasher

DISHWASHER / REQUEST SERVICE / TIPS

The dishwasher is one of the best inventions in the appliances world, and it is a real kitchen workhorse. The truth i...

Read
Dishwasher Not Cleaning Dishes? Helpful Tips

Dishwasher Not Cleaning Dishes? Helpful Tips

DISHWASHER / REQUEST SERVICE / TIPS

In this article… Troubleshooting tips The Interior Is Dirty Extra Dirty Dishes Low Water Temperature ...

Read