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For a dishwasher to do its job correctly, it must spray water everywhere inside the machine. That way, every plate, cup, and utensil that you load into it will be cleaned thoroughly by the end of the dishwashing cycle.
These arms spray water at the correct pressure while distributing it to all corners of the dishwasher. If those dishwasher arms fail to spin, that could render the entire appliance useless.
Dishwasher Arms Not Spinning: 5 Ways To Fix
In this article, we’re going to look at a few of the common reasons why dishwasher arms may stop spinning correctly, and what you can do to resolve the issue.
What it is: Most dishwashers on the market today will rely on two parts, one of them being the circulation pump (and the motor that drives it).
As the name suggests, its primary purpose is to pump and circulate water throughout the appliance’s many hoses, including through the spinning dishwasher arms.
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In doing so, other parts of the dishwasher will have the water they need to wash every item loaded into the dishwasher.
To cut down on overall water usage, dishwashers today tend to reuse a lot of the water that has already washed the plates and flowed to the bottom.
Why it fails: Just like any other mechanical part, circulation pumps are prone to failure after experiencing lots of wear and tear.
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Remember: dishwashers recirculate water that carries small waste particles that filters can’t catch. In some cases, those particles may form a blockage that prevents the pump from doing its job.
It’s key to ensure that the pump and motor are receiving the power they need to function correctly in the first place.
If they are, then your next step is to ensure that you can physically turn the pump’s impeller and that nothing has caused it to jam.
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Suppose the circulation pump is receiving power and nothing is stopping the impeller from moving. Then your next step is to check for blockages.
Always check the user manual or call the manufacturer to ensure that the replacement parts you want to buy are compatible with your particular model.
Depending on the dishwasher’s make and model, the impeller may function independently from the pump and motor assembly, which allows you to deal with it separately from other parts.
Neff Upper Spray Arm Assembly
If that’s the case, then that portion of the system will lose pressure and the water won’t be strong enough to spin the dishwasher arms.
In any case, the impeller loses its ability to force water through the system, resulting in a lack of pressure to make the dishwasher arms spin.
How to fix: Depending on the make and model of your dishwasher, the wash impeller may be an independent part, or it may be a part of the pump and motor assembly.
Bosch Dishwasher Upper Top Water Spray Arm
If it’s separate, you could replace just the wash impeller. If not, you may have to replace the pump and motor assembly altogether.
What it is: Inside every dishwasher is a series of hoses that are used to direct water to where it needs to go, including up through the dishwasher arms.
Some hoses let water in from the inlet towards the pump. In contrast, others help recirculate water that’s already inside the machine.
How To Replace The Spraying System On A Dishwasher
Of course, there are also hoses for draining water out of the dishwasher, though those may not be relevant towards this problem.
Why it fails: From time to time, a dishwasher’s hoses can get clogged. Aside from dirty water entering through the inlet valve, the problem is also made worse because dishwashers tend to recycle the water they use.
So, dishwashers don’t continuously draw in clean water through the inlet. To save on overall water usage, it also reuses some of the water that’s already been sprayed out of the dishwasher’s arms.
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Small food bits and dirt can build up and form significant blockages in the hoses and prevent water from circulating with enough pressure to spin the dishwasher arms.
What it is: Besides hoses, dishwashers also have one or more filters inside. Their purpose is simple: to filter out food bits and other debris that might find its way inside the appliance’s water supply.
By right, these filters need to be cleared from time to time, though it’s normal for some people to forget to do this regularly.
Middle Spray Arm Doesn't Spin
At one point, the buildup will be so significant that water cannot flow through the filter like it should, resulting in a drop in water flow and pressure.
What does that mean for the dishwasher arms? With a lack of water flow and pressure, the arms will not be able to spin as they should.
How to fix: The fix is pretty straightforward. Firstly, refer to the user manual to identify all of the filters that your dishwasher has inside of it.
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Then, remove each filter and wash them thoroughly. You may have to remove any large bits and dirt build-ups that you might find on the filter.
As they turn, they’ll spray water evenly throughout the interior of the appliance, washing off any dirt, oil, and food bits off of the plates that you’ve loaded into the machine.
Why it fails: Dishwasher spray arms can only spin if there is enough water flowing through them and at the correct pressure.
Dishwasher Upper Spray Arm Bush
In rare cases, the arm could be damaged and leaking water where it shouldn’t, which will also undermine its ability to spin and spray as it’s supposed to.
You can remove the arm from within the dishwasher, though you may have to remove the screw or bolt that may be holding it in place.
It may also help to use an old toothbrush or something similar to free any dirt or food bits that may be trapped inside.
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By far the most common reason why your spray arms may not be spinning properly is the build-up of dirt and debris. Remove the dishwasher basket to freely access the spray arms and carefully clean them out. For more information on how to clean the spray arms, click here.
Take out the top and bottom spray arms and carefully inspect them for any visible damage such as cracks or missing pieces. A damaged spray arm will not spin properly and will lead to insufficient cleaning results. You can purchase a replacement spray arm using our spare parts search and entering the appliance information to get the bill of materials or by calling customer service on 0344 892 8979, where a member of our customer service team will assist your further with your query.
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A pan handle could prevent the dishwasher's spray arm from spinning properly if it is blocking the spray path. This would affect the water flow and the effectiveness of the wash cycle and you will likely have to run another wash as the dishes will still be dirty as the dishwasher tablet would have failed to dissolve. Before running a cycle, ensure that there is nothing blocking the spray path. For more information on loading the dishwasher correctly, click here.
Need to book a repair? Not a problem. We can arrange for an engineer to repair your appliance, both in and out of warranty.
If you need any help and support that is specific to your Bosch appliance model, your instruction manual is the best place to find this information.
Dishwasher Upper Spray Arm Not Spinning? (here's How To Fix It!)
Search for original spare parts and buy tested and approved accessories and care products for your Bosch appliances in the Bosch store.