Dishwasher Soap Not Dissolving
Technically Reviewed by Oleg Chudnovski, CEO on Mar 25, 2025 | Written by Fix Appliances CA Editorial Contributors
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. If the soap in your dishwasher isn’t dissolving properly, make sure the water is hot enough to activate the detergent. Then, inspect the soap dispenser for any blockages or obstructions that might hinder proper detergent dispensing. Additionally, consider pre-rinsing dishes before loading them into the dishwasher to prevent soap buildup and ensure optimal cleaning results. Professional appliance repair professionals may need to be consulted if these fixes fail to cure the problem.
Our local professional appliance team near me can diagnose, find, and repair all 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
A prevalent issue leading to dishwasher detergent failure during the cycle is a broken or obstructed soap dispenser door. This door, designed to secure soap, pods, or tablets, can hinder proper dissolution if damaged. A malfunctioning dispenser door may retain the tablet, preventing the full force of the dishwasher cycle water from adequately reaching and dissolving the soap.
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
Connected to the water inlet valve, the sprayer arm is crucial for delivering water from the pump into the dishwasher cycle through spinning and spraying. If the sprayer arm is obstructed or not spinning correctly, it may hinder the sufficient delivery of water to the soap during the cycle, causing dishwasher soap to fail in dissolving.
Reason 4: Water Inlet Valve Faulty
Acting as the gateway between the water pump and the sprayer arm, the water inlet valve can accumulate hard water deposits over time, leading to clogging. Additionally, the valve may become loose or damaged, gradually allowing less water to reach the sprayer arm. The insufficient water supply during the dishwasher cycle remains a primary cause of dishwasher pods 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 dispenser door plays a pivotal role in securing dishwasher soap pods or tablets, and it opens via a mechanism in the door when the cycle commences. Proper opening of the door is crucial to enable the full force of water to reach the soap, facilitating its dissolution.
Should the soap dispenser door fail to open, a solution might involve cleaning around it to eliminate any residue, hard water buildup, or food particles. If this proves ineffective, the next step may require removing the entire door casing and replacing 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: March 25, 2025
What Our Customers Say About Us
“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.”
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.
