How to deal with new dishwasher smells or water issues

One of the most common things people notice when they run a new dishwasher for the first time is a strong chemical smell. It can even smell a bit like burning plastic, especially during the drying cycle.

Why it happens:
The smell is usually from manufacturing oils, sealants, or plastic parts heating up for the first time. It’s not nice, but it’s not dangerous.

What to do:
Run the dishwasher empty on a hot wash cycle without any dishes in it. Add a dishwasher cleaner or a cup of white vinegar to help clear out the factory residue. After a few cycles, the smell should disappear.

Water leaks are another issue that might become apparent on first use.

Why it happens:
Most leaks during first-time use are linked to installation, not the machine itself. Common causes include loose hoses or an unsealed connection.

What to do:
Check that all hose connections are tight, especially where the drain hose meets the sink pipe. If you’ve had it installed professionally, contact the installer to double-check everything has been set up correctly.

It’s frustrating to start your new dishwasher only to have it beep or flash an error code. But don’t panic, it’s often an easy fix.

Why it happens:
Common causes include the door not being closed properly, the water supply not being turned on, or a kinked hose. Some machines also need a few moments to calibrate when used for the first time.

What to do:
Check that the door is fully latched and the water tap is turned on. Make sure the hoses aren’t bent or squashed behind the machine. Refer to your user manual to decode any flashing lights or beeps.

If you open the door to find dirty water sitting in the bottom of the dishwasher after the first cycle, it’s probably a setup issue.

Why it happens:
If your dishwasher drain hose is connected to your kitchen sink’s plumbing (which it most likely will be), there may be a small plastic plug inside the pipe that hasn’t been removed. This is sometimes forgotten during installation.

What to do:
Check the connection point under the sink. If the plug is still in place where the hose is attached, remove it, or get the installer or a licensed plumber to do so for you.

It’s normal to hear some water movement and humming during a cycle, but loud clunks or knocking sounds shouldn’t happen.

Why it happens:
If you’ve accidentally left some packaging inside the machine - like a cable tie or foam block - it can stop parts from moving as they should. Another possibility is that you’ve placed a tall item in the rack that may be blocking a spray arm from spinning.

What to do:
Double-check that all packaging has been removed, including anything inside the filter, racks, or spray arms. Give the spray arms a spin by hand before starting the wash to make sure they can move freely.

To avoid problems when using your new dishwasher for the first time:

• Carefully remove all internal packaging, including plastic film, tape, and clips.

• Check that hoses are connected securely, and taps are fully turned on.

• Run an empty cycle with a cleaner to clear out any factory smells or residue.

• Read the manual (yes, really) to get familiar with settings and installation notes.

It’s normal for new dishwashers to need a couple of cycles to get settled in. If something doesn’t seem right after trying the tips above, contact the retailer or installer while your warranty is still fresh.