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Danby Countertop Dishwasher Troubleshooting

Megan Martin

Danby countertop dishwashers can be incredibly convenient. They take up little space, can be easily relocated and best of all, prevent you from hand washing your dishes if you don't have a larger dishwasher. As with all appliances, you'll likely encounter a problem or two with your Danby countertop dishwasher at some point. There are many problems that can be diagnosed and even fixed at home without calling a repair person.

Stack of clean dishes
  1. Check the cord and circuit breaker if the dishwasher unit will not operate. Make sure the unit has not become unplugged from the outlet and that there is no damage to the cord. Check and reset the circuit breaker or fuse if necessary. Fully close the door and make sure the dishwasher is on a level surface. It will not operate if the door is open or if it is not level.

  2. Adjust the load size if your dishes are not clean at the end of the cycle. The most common cause of unclean dishes is overloading the unit or not loading it properly. Rinse excess food from dishes prior to loading the unit. Load the unit so that all surfaces of each dish can be reached by the spray action. Dirty surfaces should be aimed at the tub’s center. Do not allow dishes to overlap.

  3. Check for obstructions to the spray arm and filter, if dishes still remain dirty. Make sure dishes, cutlery or a detached filter are not obstructing the spray arm or preventing it from moving. Remove any obstructions. Make sure the water inlet hose is not bent or kinked. Pull the handle up to remove the filter if it is clogged or dirty. Rinse the filter.

  4. Increase the water temperature or detergent if your dishes are unclean. Turn up the water temperature by pushing the “Sani/Econo” button on the front of the unit until the light adjacent to “Sani” turns red. This will increase the water temperature to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure you use a detergent that is appropriate for the dishwasher and that you are using enough detergent.

  5. Carefully load the dishes if they are chipped or broken. Place glasses firmly in the racks. Do not place glasses over the dish rack pins, as this increases likelihood of breakage.

  6. Make sure the cycle is complete if there is excess water in the bottom of the dishwasher. A little water in the sump area is normal and will be drained when the next cycle starts.

  7. Call a qualified repair person if necessary. Do not attempt to make difficult repairs on your own as it can cause damage to the Danby countertop dishwasher.