KitchenAid may make a good product but what can you do if the top rack is falling off in the dishwasher?
The Problem: A top rack will fall off in a KitchenAid dishwasher due to broken or worn rollers. This issue can occur over time, as the rollers will get damaged or may be worn, causing the rack to eventually fall off.
The Fix: The only way to fix this problem is to replace the rollers that have worn out. It is typically easy to do but you should read the manual to discern how they are best replaced. Make sure you buy the rollers that are the right type for the dishwasher.
Reasons Why A KitchenAid Dishwasher Top Rack Is Falling Off
We probably use the dishwasher in the home more than any other appliance. That is why it is so frustrating when something goes wrong. What can you do when the dishwasher top rack falls off?
A dishwasher rack falls off when the clips holding the rack in place are broken or missing. They form a stop that keeps the rack from moving too far forward. Look at the end of the track for a cap. If it isn’t there or if it is broken, it should be replaced.
This is really only one of the many different reasons why a dishwasher rack may fall off. When running maintenance tickets, I often find that it is more of a problem with the way the dishwasher is handled by the user than a problem with the dishwasher itself.
In either case, however, it is something that needs to be fixed and there is always a solution that will help to keep the rack in place.
Sometimes, you may have a problem with the rack falling off while the load is running. This can be a real problem, as the rack is likely full of dishes and some of them break.
On the other hand, the rack may move forward and continue rolling until it completely comes off of the railing. That is also an issue, but it is typically one that has to do with a broken part.
Before You Begin Troubleshooting Your KitchenAid Dishwasher
Before you start troubleshooting why a dishwasher top rack is falling off, it’s important to discuss safety. There are a number of issues to consider.
First of all, if you are only doing work on a mechanical part of the dishwasher, such as the top rack, you can generally leave the unit plugged in. If you are doing any work that requires you to remove a panel and expose live power, it should be turned off.
A dishwasher can be turned off effectively by unplugging it from the receptacle. The problem is, the dishwasher is often plugged in behind the appliance, so you will have to remove the appliance to turn it off that way.
I find that it is easier to go to the breaker box and find the breaker that is powering the appliance. Turn the breaker off and make sure that you lock it so that no one is able to turn it back on while you’re working.
Another issue with dishwashers, particularly when you are working on the top rack, is that they can be a little top-heavy. If the dishwasher is not secured in place properly, it can slide out of place and fall forward.
There is a screw that holds the dishwasher in place to the underside of the countertop on almost every unit. When you open the door and look under the countertop, you will likely see the screw and an L bracket.
Make sure that the screw is in place. Otherwise, the dishwasher is going to be loose and could fall out while you’re working on it.
PRO TIP: Use a board or piece of 2×4 to wedge under the front of the dishwasher. This will help to hold the unit in place so it doesn’t slide out or tip forward.
Of course, you would also want to pay attention to other safety factors, such as wearing appropriate gloves and wearing eye protection. It may seem like a hassle for a DIY project, but it could save you in many ways.
General Fix For A KitchenAid Dishwasher Top Rack That Falls Off
A dishwasher top rack is where we typically wash glasses and delicate items. When it falls off, these items can break.
There are only a few reasons why this issue is likely to happen. Before you call a contractor for help, look down through this list and see if any of them fit your needs.
1. Damaged Rollers
It is common for a dishwasher top rack to start falling off when the rollers are damaged or broken. The rollers are typically made of plastic and over time, they can wear down and crack.
Once the rollers start cracking, it can cause the dishwasher rack to be unstable and it may even fall off the track.
The good news is, this issue is often easy to fix as you only need to order replacement parts and they go on easily. Make sure that you order any replacement parts that are appropriate for the dishwasher model and manufacturer you are using.
2. Broken Rack Adjustments
It is usually possible to adjust the top rack if you tend to have items that make it difficult to use at a standard level. This could include large mixing bowls or perhaps tall glasses.
These adjustments make it convenient to use the top rack according to your specific needs. At the same time, however, the pieces that allow for the adjustment are usually easy to break.
Even if they don’t break, the rack adjustment could get out of alignment and that would make it easy for the rack to disengage and fall completely off the tracks.
Look at the top rack adjustment and if it is broken or misaligned, make the appropriate adjustments.
3. Damaged Door Latch
When the latch is damaged or misaligned, it could lead to the top rack falling off. This is due to the fact that the door may not be as securely shut and it could allow the additional movement in the top rack that causes it to fall.
In some cases, a damaged door latch will keep the dishwasher from operating because of this safety feature. At other times, the latch may be broken and you wouldn’t know it.
Open the door and carefully examine the latch mechanism. If you see any wear and tear or damage, it should be replaced.
The good news is, the door latch to your dishwasher should be easy to replace. Once you have the replacement part, it is typically just a matter of removing a few screws and putting the new piece in place.
4. Overloading
Some people tend to put heavy items on the top rank. Although it is able to handle a certain amount of weight, if you put too much weight on the top rack, it could cause it to disengage.
It is better to run smaller loads if this is a problem. In addition, you should look at the owner’s manual for the limits of your dishwasher and stick within them.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on June 13, 2023.
One other thing you can do is to properly distribute the load on the top rack. If you tend to put all of the heavy items on one side or toward the back, you may find that it is coming loose and falling off the track regularly.
5. Installation
I saved this one for last because it is the least likely to be a problem. More than likely, the problem with an improper installation will be seen from the first time you operate the dishwasher.
On the other hand, if you have fixed the top rack and put it back in place, it may continue to fall off if you don’t put it in place properly.
The top rack may operate by rolling in and out if it is not exactly in place as it should be. At the same time, it may allow for enough movement in the top rack so that it falls off of the rails.
Now that we’ve considered the top reasons why any dishwasher would experience this problem, let’s consider some that are specific to various dishwasher models.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on June 13, 2023.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on June 13, 2023.