There is no doubt that dishwashers add convenience to everyday life, but they are not safe from unexpected complications either. Dishwashers are known to overheat due to a variety of reasons. Overheating is an alarming problem so you should understand its causes and consult an appliance repair expert quickly. Follow below for a list of potential reasons along with their troubleshooting tips for you to get the dishwasher running back to normal.

Causes And Solutions For An Overheating Dishwasher

Faulty Heating element

Modern dishwashers come with a variety of features and functions to ensure the dishes are thoroughly washed and cleaned. One of these features includes the heating element that ensures the water temperature is appropriate, as too hot or too cold can leave water spots.

Heating elements are located inside the dishwasher and can give up without any signs or symptoms. If you observe that the dishes are coming out wet or with water spots, it most likely means there is a problem with the heating element.

If the dishwasher is under warranty, you will need to contact the manufacturer for replacement. But, if the dishwasher happens to be old, you will first need to check the element using a multimeter and then consult an expert for replacement. Keep in mind that replacing the heating is the only option, as heating elements cannot be repaired.

Thermostat Malfunction

The thermostat is responsible for maintaining and regulating the water temperature. If it happens to malfunction, the dishwasher won’t clean the dishes properly. On the other hand, it might also signal the heating element to turn off or not turn on at all.

A thermostat experiencing issues may also turn the temperature too high. This could be damaging for both the dishware and the machine itself. If your dishwasher was recently serviced, you should get the thermostat checked. It could be that the expert simply forgot to calibrate the thermostat.

If the thermostat is not calibrated, it can confuse and send the wrong signals to the heating elements and other components inside the machine. On the other hand, if you have installed an aftermarket thermostat, you might want to check its batteries, test the thermostat, or simply replace it.

Control Board Problems

The control board is the brain of the computer. This component is connected to all the other components inside the dishwasher and sends signals based on the user’s input. Although the control board is located deep inside the unit, it can run into problems, especially due to wear and tear over time.

Then again, if the dishwasher happens to be new, you will need to contact the manufacturer as the unit will not allow the machine to function. In worst-case scenarios, the control board may also overheat and cause the same to the dishwasher itself. This could be a dangerous situation as it can lead to a fire breaking out.

The unfortunate side of this problem is, only an expert can take a look into the problem and determine the root cause. You will not be able to fix the issue on your own, and do not try to experiment with the other components, as you can end up damaging them.

Depending on the severity of the situation, the control board may or may not be fixable. So, make sure you hire an expert to get the job done thoroughly.

Control board problems can also cause an oven to overheat. So, if you notice that your temperature is higher than usual, contact an oven repair Fairfax technician.

Temperature Sensor Issues

The temperature sensor keeps track of the water temperature inside the dishwasher and ensures it is appropriate. If the temperature sensor happens to malfunction due to any reason, it can cause the heating element to turn on and not shut off when required.

This will, in turn, overheat the machine itself as well, which could lead to permanent malfunctions. Unfortunately, there is no way to tell whether or when such electronic components can or will give up. But if you notice something usual, you should know something is wrong.

Electronic issues do not take much time to develop once they have started to irritate the machine. It is up to the user to keep their eyes and ears out for unusual sounds or visible signs.

Lack Of Maintenance

Dishwashers dealing with oil, dirt, food leftovers, and grease, etc., tend to become overwhelmed with time as layers of accumulation begin to settle inside. From the outside, the machine may look perfectly fine, but you never know what is going on inside.

This is why, majority of users seem clueless when their dishwashers malfunction out of the blue. The fact is, dishwashers require regular maintenance just like other household electronic appliances. As mentioned earlier, it could be any reason causing the machine to break down, but you can easily avoid it.

At the end of each week or month, you should perform a thorough cleaning of the dishwasher and look closely for any signs of wear and tear as well. But what is more important is that you hire a professional who not only cleans the unit thoroughly but can also inspect the machine from the inside and fix the issues on the spot.

This helps keep the complications away and ensures the machine runs longer. Plus, this is not an expense, but rather an investment to avoid finding yourself in a confused and frustrated spot just because you are not aware of what the problem might be.

How To Find The Right Expert?

Finding the right expert can be a tough task, especially if there are a lot of options nearby. The reason is that the market is saturated with so-called experts, and everyone is competing for cheaper rates. It can be quite tricky to entrust your dishwasher to the hands of someone you are not familiar with.

The best way to go about the situation is by asking your social circle for any referrals. This way, you will end up with someone who is already tried and tested. If that is not possible, you should search for licensed and certified experts near you.

Certified experts possess the appropriate skills and knowledge to get the job done properly. Since they are familiar with such machines and issues, they are willing to do a lot better job only if you are willing to pay the price.

That said, do not be tempted by cheap rates and only opt for someone who knows their job.

Conclusion

Dishwasher overheating is a serious issue that needs urgent attention. Although the above-mentioned tips will at least help you kickstart the troubleshooting process, only a dishwasher repair Springfield professional can guide you in the right direction and fix the problem properly. On top of that, you should make sure to avoid these issues by scheduling professional maintenance depending on the usage frequency.