Oven Convection Fan Not Working? 6 Causes and What to Do
A convection fan that will not spin is usually a failed fan motor, a seized blade, a door switch or a relay on the control board. Here is how to narrow it down.
Read the guide
Why is my dishwasher not cleaning well?
Most poor cleaning comes from four things: mineral scale from hard water, clogged filters or spray arms, water that is not hot enough, or the wrong amount of detergent. A failed pump, heater, or inlet valve is less common but needs a repair.
The good news is that most of these causes are easy to check. The first step is knowing what kind of water comes out of your tap.
How hard is the water in Mountain View?
Mountain View's water is mostly soft. The City says about 87% of its supply comes from San Francisco's Hetch Hetchy system, which tested at about 10 to 30 mg/L of hardness. Areas supplied by Valley Water tested higher, at about 75 to 120 mg/L, which is moderately hard.
You can see these numbers on the City's water FAQ page. To put them in context, the U.S. Geological Survey's guide to water hardness calls 0 to 60 mg/L soft and 61 to 120 mg/L moderately hard.
So most Mountain View homes do not have a serious hard water problem. But homes on the harder supply, and dishwashers that are never cleaned, can still build up scale over time.
Is it hard water or a broken dishwasher?
| What you see | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| White film that wipes off with vinegar | Mineral scale or too little rinse aid |
| Permanent cloudy haze on glasses | Etching from too much detergent in soft water |
| Food bits left on dishes | Clogged filter or blocked spray arm holes |
| Water left in the bottom | Clogged drain, failed drain pump, or kinked hose |
| Dishes cold and wet at the end | Failed heating element or thermostat |
| Dishwasher hums but does not fill | Failed water inlet valve |
What can you check yourself?
Clean the filter, clear the spray arm holes, run hot water at the sink before starting a cycle, and use the right amount of detergent and rinse aid. These steps fix most cleaning problems in under 20 minutes.
- Remove and rinse the filter at the bottom of the tub. Many people never know it is there.
- Take off the spray arms and clear blocked holes with a toothpick.
- Run the kitchen tap until the water is hot before you start the dishwasher.
- Fill the rinse aid dispenser. It helps water sheet off glass.
- Use less detergent if you are on soft water. Too much can etch glasses.
- Run an empty cycle with a dishwasher cleaner or a cup of white vinegar once a month.
Standing water or a dishwasher that won't drain? Call us before it leaks into your cabinets or floor.
When does a dishwasher need a repair?
If the dishwasher still leaves dirty dishes after you clean the filter and spray arms, or if it won't fill, drain, or heat, a part has likely failed. Common repairs include drain pumps, wash motors, inlet valves, heating elements, and door latches.
Our dishwasher repair service covers Bosch, Miele, KitchenAid, Whirlpool, GE, Samsung, and LG. You can see typical price ranges in our repair cost table, and our guide on appliance repair costs in Mountain View explains what affects the final price.
If you are shopping for a new dishwasher instead, the ENERGY STAR dishwasher guide lists efficient models that use less water and energy.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mountain View water hard?
Mostly no. The City describes its water as soft to moderately hard. Homes on San Francisco Hetch Hetchy water get very soft water, while some areas served by Valley Water get moderately hard water.
Why are my glasses cloudy after the dishwasher?
A white film that wipes off with vinegar is usually mineral scale from hard water or too little rinse aid. Cloudiness that won't come off can be etching from too much detergent in soft water.
When should I call for dishwasher repair?
Call if water stays in the bottom, the spray arms don't spin, the dishwasher won't fill, or the water never gets hot. Those point to a failed part, not a water problem.
