Before You Start Troubleshooting

Before you start testing different dishwasher parts and functions to pinpoint the problem, there are some preliminary troubleshooting steps you should take first:

Locate your instruction manual

Your dishwasher’s manual will provide useful troubleshooting guidance tailored to your specific model. The manual outlines standard operation, error codes, troubleshooting tests, maintenance tips, and instructions for safely servicing components. Knowing the correct procedures for your Beko model is essential, so find that manual! Check Beko’s manuals page and search for your dishwasher’s model number if you don’t have your copy.

Check power supply

It seems obvious, but make sure your dishwasher is properly connected and receiving power before anything else. Verify that the power cable is securely plugged into the wall outlet and that the outlet is switched on. Also check whether a fuse, circuit breaker, or GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) has tripped. Reset devices or replace blown fuses as needed.

Ensure door is completely closed

Beko dishwashers have a safety mechanism that prevents operation when the door is open, even slightly. Make sure the door latch clicks fully into place so this sensor recognizes that the door is secure.

Clear any external blockages

Make sure nothing is obstructing the area around the exterior dishwasher housing. Debris, objects, or buildup around ventilation openings can prevent proper functionality. Check for and clear away anything blocking airflow to the unit. This also provides an opportunity to wipe away dust, dirt, grime, or food crumbs that may get sucked into the internal workings over time.

With the preliminaries checked, you can move on to assessing and troubleshooting specific problems using the tips outlined in the following sections. Let’s tackle that unreliable dishwasher!

Dishwasher Won’t Start

You’ve loaded the dishes, added detergent, latched the door, and pressed the start button…yet nothing happens. Ugh! Before you call the front desk to complain about your “broken” dishwasher in frustration, work through these troubleshooting tips first.

• Confirm the On/Off button works – Make sure you are pressing the correct button to start the cycle. There may be multiple or confusingly labeled buttons. Consult your manual if unsure. Apply firm pressure and hold for a few seconds to engage.
• Test functionality with door open – To isolate whether the problem lies with the door safety mechanism, press the On/Off button with the door left slightly ajar. If doesn’t start (which is normal), you know that sensor is at least working right.
• Toggle child lock if activated – Some Beko models have a child lock feature that disables the controls. Check if this got inadvertently activated somehow. The lock symbol will show when enabled. Simply hold down the two outermost buttons simultaneously for a few seconds to unlock.
• Drain excess water – If there is standing water inside from a failed previous cycle or after manually moving/tilting, it will prevent restarting. Carefully drain the machine using manual cleaning processes outlined in your owner’s manual.
• Electronics troubleshooting – If the basics above don’t get your dishwasher powered on, there may be faulty wiring connections or a dead control board. Dig deeper through electrical troubleshooting guidance in your manual. Consider calling a technician at this point unless you are highly DIY-inclined in appliance repair.

Stay tuned for additional troubleshooting suggestions in the sections below dealing with more complex mechanical, cleaning, drainage, and other frequently occurring Beko dishwasher problems.

Dishes Not Clean or Drying

It’s endlessly frustrating when you open your dishwasher expecting sparkling clean dishes, only to find food bits, grease, and soggy interiors. While improper loading techniques are often the culprit, other mechanical issues can also lead to poor cleaning and drying performance.

Loading and Program Issues

Before you blame the machine itself, try these quick loading and setting tweaks:

• Optimize rack organization – Arrange dishes so water can reach all surfaces. Avoid overcrowding or nesting items. Review manual recommendations.
• Remove large food scraps – Don’t rely wholly on the dishwasher to handle heavy soiling. Thoroughly pre-rinse or scrape dishes so wash jets can work most effectively.
• Select a higher-temp wash program – Bump up to a hotter main wash and/or drying cycle. This requires more water and energy but increases cleaning power.
• Increase detergent amount – Use extra detergent if dishes are especially dirty or if you have hard water, which impedes cleaning. Consider upgrading to a better formulation if needed.

Hardware Components

If adjusting settings and loading doesn’t solve the problem, dive deeper into assessing mechanical parts:

• Check wash arms spin freely – Spin upper and lower spray arm assemblies manually to ensure they rotate without obstruction.
• Inspect filters and clear gunk – Clogged filters prevent proper water circulation for cleaning and drainage. Brush and rinse filters every few months.
• Confirm rinse aid reservoir is filled – Rinse aid is essential for water beading and drying. Top up reservoir if rinse aid refill indicator activates.

Strange Smells

It’s bad enough when your dishwasher fails to clean properly. It adds insult to injury when the machine starts emanating stinky odors on top of that. While some odor can be expected with wet dishes sitting for hours, persistent foul smells indicate a deeper problem.

Here are tips for freshening up a smelly dishwasher:

• Run vinegar cycle – Pour vinegar into the bottom without dishes loaded and run an empty heated wash. This can clear out lingering food bits and deodorize.
• Clean door gaskets – Gunk trapped in door seals is a common culprit of odors. Wipe down the inner folds carefully using warm soapy water and a soft brush.
• Check under filter – Smells may arise if debris gets lodged beneath the cylindrical filter where wash arms can’t reach. Unscrew to remove filter and clean cavity.
• Leave door cracked open – Improve airflow and evaporate moisture by propping open the door slightly between washes. Just be mindful of small curious hands around an open machine!
• Address mold immediately – If you spot dark fuzzy spots inside, address promptly before mold concerns spread further. Consult manual for thorough mold removal instructions.

Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to stinky dishwasher smells. Be vigilant about food scrap removal before loading, frequently clean filters, run hotter cycles, and enable drying features.

Other Common Problems

We’ve covered the biggies when it comes to frustrating dishwasher troubles. But a few other issues may crop up with Beko models, including:

Detergent leftover in dispenser – Ensure the detergent dispenser is fully dry before adding powder or tablet detergent. Lingering moisture causes clumping which prevents the detergent from fully releasing and distributing during the wash cycle.

Water standing after cycle finishes – Standing water inside the tub after completion often indicates a drainage issue. Check that debris has not clogged the filtration system, impeller, or discharge hose. Consult cleaning instructions in your manual.

Etching or corrosion on dishes/glassware – White film, corrosion marks, and etching on dishware may be caused by water softener salt leakage inside the tub. Always wipe any spills immediately and ensure the salt cap is fully sealed.

While annoying, these issues can often be resolved with some minor cleaning and maintenance habits. But if problems recur frequently or you want the assurance of professional service, consider our home appliance protection options.

Keep reading for details on when it may be advisable to call in an appliance repair technician if DIY efforts don’t get your Beko dishwasher up and running again.

When To Call A Repair Professional

While many common dishwasher issues can be addressed with basic troubleshooting and elbow grease, some problems require expertise to properly diagnose and fix. If you’ve worked through the tips outlined in this guide to no avail, it may be time to bring in a pro.

Here are instances when you should consider professional appliance repair:

• You’ve confirmed electrical power and connections are working properly, but the dishwasher fails to turn on at all. There may be an internal electrical issue that requires technician skills and tools to pinpoint.
• The dishwasher makes unusual noises like grinding or buzzing during operation. This often indicates wear, damage or misalignment in internal components like pumps, motors, bearings, wash arms and more.
• There are visible signs of major leaks, rust or mold inside the unit. This deterioration needs to be fully remediated to prevent appliance failure or hazardous conditions.
• Odd errors or flashing codes display which don’t correspond to anything addressed in your owner’s manual. Deciphering fault codes requires specialized understanding.
• You’ve followed all outlined cleaning procedures but problems reoccur quickly. For example, dishes come out dirty even after you’ve just deep cleaned filters, jets and screens.

Our Homeforce Plumbing and Heating Plan delivers affordable repair coverage for malfunctioning appliances like dishwashers.

Take Control of Dishwasher Troubles

We rely so heavily on our dishwashers to make our lives easier that it’s incredibly disruptive when problems pop up. If your Beko dishwasher isn’t operating optimally, don’t just muddle through or give up on it entirely. Arm yourself with troubleshooting knowledge instead!

Hopefully this guide has equipped you to methodically tackle common Beko dishwasher issues on your own terms first. We covered basic troubleshooting prep work, resolving failures to start, improving poor cleaning performance, eliminating foul odors, and more. You can visit Machine Solved to know more about these solutions.

While some problems inevitably require professional service, many can be addressed with simple cleaning, maintenance, and component testing right at home. Empower yourself to handle pesky dishwasher troubles without waiting for a technician:

• Consult your instruction manual frequently
• Rule out electrical and installation faults
• Thoroughly clean filters every few months
• Brush out debris from wash arms and impellers
• Top up rinse aid and salt reservoirs as needed
• Select optimal loading, program, and detergent configurations

Take back control when your Beko dishwasher acts up! No more cursing in frustration at a sink full of crusty baking sheets. Take targeted troubleshooting actions instead. And when you’ve exhausted your DIY efforts, the Homeforce team has your back. Enjoy sparkling clean dishware again soon!