Genuine replacement parts
Brand-approved components fitted correctly, rather than a generic part that fails again in a few months.
DISHWASHER REPAIR · JOHANNESBURG & CENTURION
Dishwasher not working? Here's what's usually going on.
A dishwasher that stalls mid-cycle, won't drain, or leaves dishes dirty is almost always one of five things — most of which a technician can diagnose on the first visit. Here's how to tell what's wrong before you book a repair.
Quick diagnostic
5 common faults
Won't start
No power, tripped breaker, or a door latch not engaging.
Stops mid-cycle
Often a heating element, timer, or control board fault.
Not draining
Blocked filter, kinked hose, or a failing drain pump.
Dishes still dirty
Clogged spray arm, worn spray seal, or hard-water scale.
Leaking underneath
Worn door seal, cracked hose, or overfilled detergent.
WHY IT'S WORTH CALLING SOMEONE
Modern dishwashers hide their problems well
Electronics do most of the work now
Water level sensors, thermostats, and control boards make today's dishwashers efficient — but they also mean a single faulty sensor can cause symptoms that look unrelated, like a machine that fills but never heats, or drains but never rinses. Guessing at a fix can mask the real fault.
Load-shedding takes a toll
Frequent power cuts and surges are hard on control boards and door-lock solenoids. If your dishwasher started acting up after a bout of load-shedding, that's often not a coincidence — and it's worth mentioning to your technician.
WHAT WE GET CALLED OUT FOR MOST
The five faults behind most call-outs
If you're seeing any of these, it's worth booking a technician before the fault spreads to another part.
The dishwasher won't turn on at all
Check the plug and breaker first — if those are fine, it's usually the door latch, control board, or a failed thermal fuse.
It stops partway through a cycle
Most often a heating element that's failed, or a timer / control board no longer cycling through the wash stages correctly.
Water is pooling underneath
A perished door seal, a cracked inlet or drain hose, or a cracked tub are the usual causes — each needs a different fix.
Dishes come out still dirty or cloudy
Usually a blocked spray arm, worn spray seal, or hard-water scale build-up on the heating element and pipework.
A bad smell lingers after washing
Trapped food debris in the filter basket or drain, or standing water from a partial drain fault.
A 5-MINUTE CHECK
Try this before you book a call-out
These four checks rule out the simplest causes. If the fault's still there afterwards, it's a job for a technician.
Check the power and the door latch
Confirm the plug is firmly in and the breaker hasn't tripped, and that the door clicks fully shut — most machines won't start if the latch isn't engaged.
Clear the filter basket
Lift out the filter at the bottom of the tub and rinse out any trapped food scraps or debris — a blocked filter is behind a lot of drainage and odour complaints.
Spin the spray arms by hand
They should turn freely. If they're stiff or clogged, clear the nozzle holes with a toothpick and rinse them under a tap.
Inspect the inlet and drain hoses
Look for kinks, splits, or loose fittings behind the machine — a kinked hose can stop water going in or out.
WORKING WITH A CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN
What a proper repair gets you
A warranty on the work
Parts and labour are covered, so if the same fault returns, you're not paying for it twice.
Safe handling of water and power
Dishwashers combine both — a technician knows how to isolate each safely before working on the unit.
An honest diagnosis
You'll be told plainly whether it's worth repairing or whether replacement makes more financial sense.
PRICING
What dishwasher repairs typically cost
The honest answer is "it depends on the fault" — but here's the shape of it, so you're not going in blind.
Call-out & diagnosis from R450
Covers the technician's visit and a full diagnosis, credited toward the repair if you go ahead.
Minor repairs R450 – R950
Filter clears, seal replacements, hose fittings, and spray arm repairs typically fall in this range.
Major component replacements — a control board, motor, or heating element — cost more, but you'll always get a written quote before any work begins. No surprises on the invoice.
MAINTENANCE
Keep the next breakdown further away
Run a monthly cleaning cycle
A dishwasher-safe cleaner clears detergent residue and grease that build up in the pipework and heating element.
Wipe the door seal dry
Trapped moisture along the rubber gasket is the main cause of mould and the musty smell that follows it.
Scrape, don't overload
Scrape off large scraps before loading, and avoid packing the racks so tight that water can't reach every surface.
Descale in hard-water areas
If you're on borehole or hard municipal water, a quarterly descale protects the heating element from scale build-up.
WHO TO CALL
What to check before you book anyone
- Certified, experienced with your dishwasher's brand and model
- Can usually get to you the same day for urgent faults
- Gives a clear, written quote before starting any work
- Has reviews you can actually verify online
- Backs the repair with a warranty on parts and labour
WHERE WE WORK
Local technicians, not a call centre
We send technicians who know the area, the housing stock, and the water — not a dispatcher reading from a script.
JohannesburgCenturionSandtonMidrandPretoriaRandburgFourwaysRoodepoort