The dishwasher's tablet and detergent drawer won't open.

New dishwasher detergent brands are constantly emerging, but there are only three most common types: powder, gel, and tablets. Tablets are typically 3-in-1, mixing detergent, rinse aid, and special salt. Typically, dishwashers have no problem loading detergent, as they automatically remove it from the dispenser. However, a common problem with modern dishwashers is when the tablet compartment won't open. Let's explore the most common causes of this problem and how to fix it yourself.

The most likely cause of the breakdown

When the dishwasher cycle is complete and the powder or tablet remains completely dry, this is most likely due to damage to the unit. Most often, the detergent compartment stops performing its main function due to the fact that its drive breaks down. If this happens, the tray simply does not open during the working cycle, so the detergent does not penetrate into the washing chamber.

Typically, the main sign of such damage is practically untouched detergent remaining in the dispenser. This applies not only to 3-in-1 tablets but also to other products such as powder, gel, and even rinse aid. If this happens to your dishwasher, it will wash dishes properly, but only without household chemicals, resulting in unsatisfactory cleaning results. Most likely, the element cannot be repaired, so you'll need to call a service technician to replace the detergent drawer release mechanism.

Less likely causes of failure

This concerns the most common cause of the malfunction, but there are also less likely causes that should be mentioned. Drive failure can be caused by:

• strong vibrations during operation of the dishwasher;
• moisture ingress;
• oxidation, weakening or burnout of mechanism contacts;
• signal break in the wiring section between the PMM control module and the dispenser.

For the most accurate diagnosis, it is better to call a specialist who can quickly identify the problem and fix it efficiently.

If you have the necessary experience with electrical appliances, you can test the dishwasher yourself. To do this, you'll need to locate the signal interruption and then perform some basic steps.

1. Solder damaged contacts or replace the entire contact group to ensure a reliable connection.
2. Twist the wires or install a new wiring harness.

The above-mentioned causes of detergent compartment damage can also sometimes be caused by a faulty dishwasher control module. The circuit tracks in the component may have completely burned out, or components on the circuit board in the circulation pump circuit may have broken. And when the pump stops pumping water, the program simply won't be able to move on to the stage where the machine sends a signal to open the detergent drawer. In this case, the device will shut down prematurely and display an error code on the dashboard.

Without the necessary experience and knowledge, you won't be able to resolve this issue on your own, so you'll need to contact a service center for assistance. A technician will remove the control board and either resolder the damaged tracks, replacing any burned-out components, or recommend a complete replacement.

If a 3-in-1 tablet or other cleaning solution is slightly damp, even though it remains intact after the dishwasher cycle, the water flow distributor, also known as the actuator, is likely faulty. Normally, it switches the water flow between the dishwasher's spray arms. Therefore, if it's faulty and locked in place—and it often gets blocked when supplying water to the lower impeller—the water flow simply won't reach the detergent compartment. In this situation, the detergent may become slightly damp, but it won't be fully used.

The actuator is a small component consisting of a motor and a pair of discs, one of which has holes for regulating the water flow. Over time, the teeth on the discs and the gears on which they are mounted become heavily worn, preventing the distributor from rotating. It is not worth excluding the possibility of engine damage due to liquid entering it through a damaged oil seal. Any of the listed reasons will lead to water flowing only to the lower distributor, ignoring the upper one.

If your dishwasher has a magnetic valve that controls water flow, the distributor may burn out due to sudden power surges. Finally, you can also tell that the actuator has stopped working by poorly washed dishes in the top rack. This also happens because the upper spray arm is not working. In this situation, the only solution is to replace the element with a new one.

   

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