Dishwasher not heating: causes and repair
No cloud of steam when you open the door after the programme, and the grease is still on the plates? Then the water is no longer heating up. Below you can read what to check yourself and when you need a technician.
A dishwasher that no longer heats doesn’t really wash any more. Grease and food residue don’t dissolve in cold water, and without heat the dishes don’t dry either. Sometimes the cause is simple, such as a blocked filter. Often it is the heating element, the temperature sensor or the circuit board.
We repair dishwashers at your home. The diagnosis costs €69. If you decide not to go ahead with the repair, that is all you pay. If you choose the repair, the total is €179 at most, parts extra.
Prices
How much does dishwasher repair cost?
Whether your dishwasher won't drain, doesn't dry or shows an error code: you pay the same fixed price, whatever the brand.
A technician finds out at your home why your dishwasher isn't working properly. If you don't go ahead with the repair, you only pay for the diagnosis.
If the technician can repair your dishwasher, you pay €110. No time limit: even if it takes long or a second visit is needed.
Spare parts are not included. The technician tells you in advance if a part is needed and what it costs.
Chrono surcharge for a visit in the evening, at the weekend or just a few hours after your request.
Second appliance during the same visit? The technician can check and repair it too for €80.
Maintenance as well? The technician can also clean and check your appliance thoroughly, for €50 per appliance on top of the diagnosis and repair.
Prefer remote help first? A video repair costs €49. See all our prices →
What can you check yourself first?
Can a blocked filter stop my dishwasher from heating?
Yes, and that surprises many people. A dishwasher has a built-in safety feature: the heating element may only switch on when the water pressure is high enough, otherwise it burns out straight away. If the filters at the bottom are full of grease or food scraps, the water can’t circulate fast enough. The machine measures too little pressure and refuses to heat.
What you can do: take the filters out of the bottom, scrub them with hot water and a little washing-up liquid, then test a short, hot programme.
Does a reset help if my dishwasher no longer heats up?
Sometimes. The electronics of a dishwasher can freeze, so the signal to heat doesn’t get through. Unplug the appliance, or switch off its fuse in the fuse box, and wait at least 15 minutes. Switch it back on and run a hot programme, for example 70°C. If the water still doesn’t get warm, a part has failed.
Which parts stop a dishwasher from heating?
Is the water still cold, even with clean filters and after a reset? Then one of these parts is usually to blame. Water and electricity come together here: leave it to a technician.
Has the heating element in my dishwasher burnt out?
That is the most common cause. In modern dishwashers, such as those from Bosch and Siemens, the heating element is built onto the circulation pump. Together they are called the heat pump. If the element burns out, through age or limescale, the water stays cold.
Can a faulty temperature sensor block the heating?
Yes. The temperature sensor (NTC) measures how warm the water is. If it fails, it can tell the circuit board that the water is already at 65 degrees. The heating element is then never switched on.
What if the circuit board or the pressure switch has failed?
Sometimes the heating element is fine, but the relay on the circuit board has burnt out. The element then gets no power. A faulty pressure switch, on the other hand, ‘thinks’ there is no water in the machine and blocks the heating to protect the element.
Where is the heating element in a modern dishwasher?
In the past you could see a thick metal coil at the bottom of the tub. You no longer do. Modern dishwashers use a flow-through heater: a compact cylinder attached to the circulation pump. The water is heated while it is pumped to the spray arms. That is safer, saves space in the tub and brings the water up to temperature faster.
Which error code does a dishwasher show when it isn't heating?
A dishwasher that doesn't reach temperature often shows an error code at the end of the programme. Not always: the heating element can also fail without a code.
| Brand | Code | What is going on |
|---|---|---|
| Bosch, Siemens | E09 | The heating element in the heat pump has almost certainly burnt out. |
| Bosch, Siemens | E11 | Fault in the temperature sensor. |
| AEG, Electrolux, Zanussi | i60 or 6 flashes | Heating problem: the water heats too slowly or not at all. |
| Miele | F24 | The heating relay is faulty. |
| Miele | F25 | The required temperature is not reached. |
| Whirlpool, Bauknecht | F3 or 3 flashes | Heating fault. |
These codes concern a part that carries mains voltage. Working on it yourself is dangerous. Give the code when you book, so the technician knows which part to bring.
How do you stop the heating element from burning out?
Why is limescale so bad for my dishwasher?
Limescale insulates. A layer of limescale on the heating element stops it passing its heat to the water. The element works harder, overheats and eventually burns out. Make sure the salt reservoir is always filled, or descale the machine thoroughly twice a year.
How often should I clean my dishwasher?
Run a programme at the highest temperature, at least 70°C, once a week. Once a month, run the empty machine with a bottle of machine cleaner. This dissolves the grease that settles on the temperature sensor. A sensor under a layer of grease measures wrongly and causes faults.
Can objects in the dishwasher damage the pump?
Yes. Long, hard objects such as skewers sometimes slip past the filter and block or damage the pump, which is where the heating element sits. Always scrape your plates well.
Would you rather have a technician service the machine thoroughly? Maintenance costs €50 extra per appliance, on top of the diagnosis and repair. More tips are on our dishwasher repair page.
Repair or buy a new dishwasher?
Because the fault is so often in the heat pump, many people think their dishwasher is ready for the scrap heap. That is rarely true. A heat pump is a standard spare part that a technician replaces fairly quickly. It costs a fraction of a new dishwasher with delivery and installation.
If your appliance is less than ten years old and has no other problems, replacing the heating element is almost always the best choice. Is your dishwasher still under the manufacturer's warranty? Then contact the manufacturer or the shop: we don't repair appliances under manufacturer's warranty.
Where do we repair dishwashers at home?
Our technicians work in Antwerp, the Brussels-Capital Region, East Flanders, West Flanders, Flemish Brabant, Limburg, Liège, Namur, Hainaut and Walloon Brabant.
Do your technicians have to travel from Vilvoorde every morning?
No. Our technicians live all over Belgium and set off every morning from their own municipality. The parts they need are delivered straight to their homes. That way we get to you quickly, without long drives and often as soon as the next working day.
Another problem with your dishwasher or washing machine?
Our dishwasher repair page covers all symptoms and brands. Is your washing machine not heating up? Read washing machine not heating. Got another broken appliance? We repair it during the same visit for €80 extra.
Frequently asked questions about a dishwasher that isn't heating
A dishwasher doesn’t dry with hot air but by condensation. At the end of the cycle the machine rinses with very hot water, up to 70°C. Plates and glasses get so hot that the water evaporates and condenses on the cooler walls of the tub. Without heat there is no evaporation, so the dishes stay wet.
It won’t harm the appliance itself, but we advise against it. Cold water and dishwasher detergent don’t dissolve grease. That grease sets in the drain hoses of the machine and your kitchen, which soon leads to blockages and a bad smell.
The diagnosis at your home costs €69. If you choose the repair, you pay €179 in total at most, however long the technician needs. Parts, such as a new heat pump, are charged separately. The technician tells you the price in advance.
Open the door straight after a hot programme has finished. If no steam comes out and the plates feel cold, the water hasn’t heated up. A code on the display such as E09, i60, F24 or F3 confirms a heating problem.
No. If your dishwasher is still under the manufacturer’s warranty, contact the manufacturer or the shop where you bought it. A repair by us could void that warranty.
We give a 3-month warranty on every repair. If the same fault comes back within that period, we return at no extra cost.
Use the button on this page to choose a day and a time slot yourself. You can also call 02 615 45 20. Give the brand, the model number and, if there is one, the error code.