Smeg dishwasher not cleaning the dishes

If a dishwasher is running a full cycle but not actually removing food properly, the fault is usually down to poor water circulation, low water level, blocked spray arms/filters, or weak heating. On a 2-year-old Smeg, I’d start with the simple checks first.

1. Clean the filters properly Remove the filter assembly from the sump and wash it thoroughly under the tap. Check the sump area for bits of glass, labels, seeds or grease restricting water flow.

2. Check both spray arms Take off the lower and upper spray arms if possible and make sure all the jet holes are clear. Food debris or limescale in even a few holes can badly affect wash performance. Also spin them by hand to make sure they turn freely.

3. Check loading and detergent Make sure large plates, trays or pans are not stopping the spray arms rotating. Also confirm the detergent flap is opening fully and that the tablet/powder is fresh and suitable for your water hardness. Top up salt and rinse aid if used.

4. Check the fill level Start a wash, let it fill, then open the door carefully. The water level should usually be visible in the base, just below the filter area. If it is too low, wash pressure will be poor. That can point to a filling issue, inlet valve problem, blocked inlet filter, or pressure system fault.

5. Is it heating properly? If the wash is not getting properly hot, cleaning will be poor. At the end of a hot wash, the inside should feel hot and steamy. If not, there may be a heater, thermostat/NTC, or control issue.

6. Listen to the wash motor If you hear the machine fill and drain normally but the wash sounds weak or unusually quiet, the circulation pump may be struggling.

Isolate the appliance from the mains before inspecting or removing any internal parts. If the simple checks don’t improve it, a qualified engineer is best for live electrical testing or component diagnosis.

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