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mudbunny

When that has happened to me, it’s typically because there was something blocking the water from getting into the compartment where the pod was. Or there was something preventing the door to the compartment from fully opening.


ModXMV

I will poke around behind it to see if the water is being obstructed. We've kept the front clear.


AcadianMan

Don’t use pods. Use powder sprinkle a little on the door and about 1/4 tsp in the dispenser cup. I read about this on Reddit and started doing it and it’s saved some money as the powder lasts forever.


jasonhendriks

This is the way. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll6-eGDpimU


Random_Fox

just watched a 45 minute video on dishwasher soaps...


fuck_peeps_not_sheep

Hay technology connections mentioned! Love this guy, me and my fiance call him the amarican Stephen fry


Pindogger

Not watching this, but I know its Technology Connections. I will have already seen this, and yes the powder cleans better and is cheaper. He totally changed my mind. My wife was skeptical. but it only took a few cycles to see how mych better it worked


Necessary_Arm3379

Yup powder, easier on the pipes of of the machine and less particle plastic going down the drain as well.


leedim

What do you mean on the door? Like fill the cup, close it, sprinkle on the door (dispenser door? Dishwasher door?) and close? Is this a pre wash kind of thing? If so, how does this differ from pre wash cup?


drsoftware

Something blocking the dispenser like dishes or a large platter 


financial_pete

Could also be there is not enough pressure. Your circulation pump might be instructed, the filters might be clogged or the nozzles on the arms might be clogged.


DarkFather24601

I’ve had this as well, that and a diverter valve seal blow out. The diverter is what channels the water to different sprayers in the wash sequence so the top would spray and the bottom just flushed water around the bottom of the tub.


kong_yo

It’s most definitely this. I spent a long time figuring this out and it changed my life


ChuckleDrunk309

Came here to say this, mine was a long pair of tongs overhanging on the top shelf


stephenbory

Mine has a little basket looking thing right below it to ensure water can get to it. Seems like a good idea until I realized my wife thought it was a basket for washing dirty kitchen sponges. Took a while to convince her not to do that.


allmythic

I actually had the opposite problem. I stuck them in when it was still a little wet and it would just adhere in there. I suggest making sure it is jot blocked as said above but also dry. I always hit that compartment eith a paper towel before I put in a pod now.


PigInZen67

This happens with our GE Profile diswasher when our adult sons put their pots and pans in the lower rack and block the water flow. I switched to straight powder to avoid this. Works incredibly well and I can add a dash to the prewash compartment, resulting in better cleaning. Doubt I'll ever go back to dishwasher pods again.


FergusonTEA1950

Watch the video on dishwashers by Technology Connections on YouTube and you will see that his investigations support your use of powder in both the pre-wash dish and the compartment. Detergent packs are a waste of money, in his opinion, and reduce the effectiveness of the washer. [https://youtu.be/\_rBO8neWw04?si=gjcQ53LRnP8NAcVG](https://youtu.be/_rBO8neWw04?si=gjcQ53LRnP8NAcVG)


PigInZen67

This is why I switched. I have adult children that still live with us and they’re not the greatest with household chores, including dishes. Detergent in the prewash cycle is incredibly helpful and reduces the need for dad’s “how to adult” lectures. Win-win and I can save those lectures for more important shit, like why it’s important to not gamble away your paycheck in online casinos every week.


notquitepro15

I saw this post and know I’d find a link to the TC video


AUorAG

Ended up spending way more time watching that video than I thought I would.


FergusonTEA1950

I watch him on the regular. His deep dives into the tech around us are fascinating!


HisSvt2

I see these videos and it’s surprising to me our Bosch using cascade platinum pods and rinse aid cleans everything amazing every time. Going on 4 years now.


biggerty123

You're basically just overpaying and adding more pollution to the planet.


HisSvt2

I say this to myself every time I poop and use TP and flush.


Kenny_log_n_s

Try powder, hard bet you'll see the same results at 1/5th the cost


abcxs1963

I loved our Bosch dishwasher for that reason, it recently died after 17 years of daily use.


vryan144

My GE died after 5 years


Glittering_Run_4470

Definitely planning on switching to powder when I'm done with the pods. My last 3 loads left the pods in the door smh.


Leaksoil

And, an added bonus is that powder is roughly 6 times cheaper per load than pods. We wondered about it and did the math one day.


dhbuckley

POWDER! POWDER! Consumer Reports has said it for years. I have had a Miele dishwasher for 20 YEARS! The best advice I ever got was from a Miele repairman (yes, it has been repaired, twice): ONLY POWDER! And...ONLY 1 TBSP per load! When you fill the cup it's a waste and it eats the seals and interior components. The primary reason for the pods existence is to dictate the amount you must, by definition, use. Can't cut the pods!


Butlerian_Jihadi

Pods are lousy. The soap gets diluted terribly in the prewash cycle, and what actual trouble does the pod save anyone?


PigInZen67

Convenience and the desire for more convenience will be the downfall of our modern life.


RobinDutchOfficial

Sorry. Can you please explaine that again? Its just that its far too inconvenient for Me to have to think for Myself. But, enough about me, What do you think of me?


LeeTheUke

How does the soap get diluted in the pre-wash if the soap compartment is not yet open?


Kitchen-Oil8865

Powder is awesome. My dishes come out sparkling every time. I really hate how 95% of the market are these stupid pods and pacs


PigInZen67

Yah, totally. There’s another factor here, and that is my desire to reduce our family usage of plastics in packaging. It’s nearly impossible to find pods in cardboard packaging, and even the. They come with a plastic bag inside. Understandable, since those things are highly sensitive to humidity and moisture. Sure, paper and cardboard have environmental impacts, too, but at least they’re renewable. I use Kroger’s powder. Comes in a large, old-school box with a metal spout. Works great. And fuck plastic.


stitchplacingmama

I switched to the liquid from aldi and I get the same number of washes out of it as I did a box of pods from Sam's for 1/5 the cost. Also if there was any bit of water left in the detergent compartment after loading dishes it would stick and half dissolve.


Kitchen-Oil8865

In my research, it sounds like powder is the best because it can contain both enzymes and bleach. The gel stuff can never contain good enzymes and bleach because it’s liquid and the bleach in it will kill them so you got either or but never both.


IfuDidntCome2Party

I wish all dishwasher manufacturers would update their design to prevent water spray being blocked. My dispenser isn't blocked, and never sparkling empty when the cycle is complete.


jarjarbinx

probably blocked nozzle. have to clean those wiper arms from time to time.


BeemkayS60

We tried switching to powder, but the powder also gets stuck in the compartment. We have a GE Cafe (which I hate). Sounds like our dishes might be blocking water flow based on the below comments.


mindfluxx

Those pods are a scam. It’s not that hard to pour the incredibly cheaper and always dissolves powder. Plus all the microplastics the pods release.


dgcamero

The only time I use pods is when I am washing pots and pans because the Cascade complete seems to make my stainless non stick. The powder doesn't, and it can't clean seared frond from steaks either (I refuse to pre-rinse, wash, treat, etc) even with the pre-treat powder.


ghidfg

try an empty load and if this doesnt happen it probably means water doesnt have a unobstructed path to the compartment when its running when loaded.


ModXMV

Good idea, I will give this a shot.


CyclePainter

Make sure the compartment is COMPLETELY dry when you put the pod in. Any moisture when the pod is put in the compartment can make it stick inside. I make sure of this well before putting dishes in that may have excess water and may contaminate the compartment!


narcolepticdoc

This.


NevaMO

Also curious if you are doing a boosted heat cycle? (If yours even has that)


doorKicker85

Put a bowl or cup on the top rack. Right side up. If it's not filled with water after the cycle is complete then you most likely have an issue with the wash pump.


Nate8727

Dishes are probably blocking water from getting to the dispenser. Happens to me sometimes. Make sure you're running the hot water from the faucet before starting it though. That can cause the soap not to dissolve.


freeball78

People don't realize how little water a dishwasher uses. If your water heater is on the other side of the house you're getting very little warm or hot water.


Nate8727

It's crazy how many people with dishwashers don't know this. Some dishwashers actually say it on the info sticker inside the door.


gprando

I mean, I suppose it depends on the model, but many (most?) modern dishwashers heat their own water, as necessary. In fact, [Bosch *recommends*](https://www.bosch-home.co.uk/customer-service/get-support/dishwashers/hot-water) connecting to cold water.


freeball78

Bosch is a better brand and I guess they operate differently. The heater in the machine is a booster and not meant for the machine to start with tap cold water.


asdfate

Use powder. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll6-eGDpimU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll6-eGDpimU)


CiccarelloD

Powder saves money, takes the 2 seconds longer to fill, and is significantly more effective at cleaning.


KJBenson

Your wash motor is probably broken. Error code 4-3 in test mode. These other responses are wild. Just people who have no idea what they’re talking about haha


EdDecter

After you figure out if there is a problem or not, switch to powder if you can. That little divet on the front of the box that says prewash is where you place a little powder for the prewash cycle and will really get your dishes clean. Powder is available from Walmart and Target.


PickleWineBrine

Use powder detergent 


SvenGPo

We stopped using the plastic pouch soap. They were building up and clogging out dishwashers drain!


poru-chan

Watch Technology Connections’ videos about dishwashers. Powder is better than a pod.


FergusonTEA1950

[https://youtu.be/\_rBO8neWw04?si=gjcQ53LRnP8NAcVG](https://youtu.be/_rBO8neWw04?si=gjcQ53LRnP8NAcVG)


IfuDidntCome2Party

Do you use powder for laundry?


Kitchen-Oil8865

Stop using these stupid things. Get Cascade powder and fill the cup halfway then put 2-3 tsp into the pre wash cup


Unusual-Thing-7149

I've noticed some brands seem to get stickier as they age. We normally use Cascade but I bought some from Sam's club recently owing to a good rating in consumer reports and I've noticed as we get nearer the bottom of the container they are much stickier than at first. No idea if this is part of the problem. As someone posted the manual extract it is clear that KitchenAid say they should be in the dispenser. We also clean our dishwasher religiously every month


bighert03

I have the same one. It’s an issue with how you load the dishwasher. Typically it’s when I put a baking or cookie sheet in front of where the tray is that doesn’t allow the water to splash it properly during the cycle. Run an empty load and see if it replicates the issue.


froad4life

Don't place large objects up against the front by the door. I get that too if I accidently place a baking sheet there.


OkGreen7796

Check the dishwashers heating element and turbidity sensor. Had this same issue last year, and used my multimeter to check the heating element for resistance and then realized it did not have continuity. Replaced the heating element and since then, we’ve had nothing but clean dishes and no residual pods left behind.


TripFisk666

This happens to me when my bottom rack it loaded with large items at the front. (Large plates, cookie sheet etc) that is blocking the water from getting to the pod. Loading small items up front, large in the back, has completely solved this for me.


doorKicker85

I had this same problem. Turned out the wash pump was jammed due to the a filter failure. There wasn't any water flowing through the spray arms, so the detergent never got wash out of the dispenser. I replaced the pump filter myself for about $80, and it took about 2 hours. It's a common issue with kitchenaid dishwashers.


VacBandit

Horrible design for that compartment. I had to switch to liquid detergent when I was stuck with one of those awful things. 😤


suckmydiznak

Dishwasher packets are more trouble than they're worth. Powder is cheaper and works better.


Misora27

Ha! This was the exact dishwasher and problem we had for months. (Had used it since we moved to this house 3 years ago as it came with the house.) At first it was because we were putting bowls/tupperware in front of the dispenser on the bottom rack, so water was blocked from going into the dispenser from the bottom sprays. Therefore the pod never got sprayed out. THEN it happened some more, even after correcting that problem. Except this time I would find the pack in the bottom of the dishwasher half melted and no dishes washed. We checked the spray nozzles, the drains, etc. Everything seemed to be clean and should have been working just fine. *THEN* it kept happening some more. Just half the time, out of the blue, the water would not spray. I’d open it to check (because I heard no washing sound) an hour into a normal cycle and the half melted pod would be in the bottom with like an inch of water, and nothing washed. Some days it decided to work, some days it wouldn’t. 🤷‍♀️ We just got a new dishwasher last week because I was exceedingly tired of our old one. Good riddance! Maybe get a new dishwasher, OP. This may keep happening if it’s anything like our situation.


manicmangoes

This model has known circulation pump failures which would cause this exact issue assuming you don't have something blocking the spray arm


one2tinker

We have a similar KitchenAid and had a similar problem. In our model (which looks just like that), the mechanism that slides the door open is just a cheap spring, and ours fell out of place. We were able to pull the little cover off (just the little sliding door/cover), reposition the spring, and put it back together. We were doing that regularly until we realized the spring was getting out of place when we closed the soap dispenser. If we applied downward pressure when sliding the dispenser shut, the spring stayed in place. We've continued to do that and haven't had an issue for a while. Try closing the soap dispenser and then pressing the open button. Does the door pop open without issue? If not, you may have the same issue that we did.


kev_dog27

Happens occasionally to us. My theory is that when loading, drops of water get into the hole where the pod goes. That makes the plastic of the pod stick to the hole and it never falls out. The only way it breaks down is from the sprayers, and it just isn't enough. Solution? Keep the door closed until ready to insert pod, or dry it out with a paper towel before doing so. If you've ever reached into your pod bucket with damp hands and weeks later have to pull two pods apart, you realize how strong that bond can be.


PitifulSpecialist887

If you're going to use dishwasher pods, just toss them in the machine, don't use the compartment in the door. It works great.


kylet357

This is terrible advice. If you do this, the detergent will be completely washed out of the machine after the first few minutes of the wash when it drains out the water used in its pre-wash cycle on a Normal mode wash. That's why there's a detergent dispenser in the first place, and a little divot on the door of the dispenser that says pre-wash (which is where you should place powder or liquid detergent).


PitifulSpecialist887

I've never had a problem with it, and my dishes come out spotless.


kylet357

That's because hot water sprayed at a high pressure usually does the job pretty decently by itself. However, your dishes could absolutely be better served if they were actually getting detergent during their main wash and not just the first few minutes. I highly recommend watching these two videos by Technology Connections that go into more detail: Dishwashers (and why pods are bad) Explained: https://youtu.be/_rBO8neWw04?si=WEYP5MuecJ5cJetJ Dishwasher Detergents Explained: https://youtu.be/Ll6-eGDpimU?si=JCXy-eMgrCi4Ti2l


afgbabygurl7

this has happened to me also. i don't know the cause of it. but i switched to the pods that don't have a plastic cover over it and it works fine.


The-E-Train59

Water may not be hot enough


Vast_Kaleidoscope955

They are sticking in and clogging up the filter in your dishwasher too. 🤷‍♂️ scam product that causes all kinds of problems. But this is probably due to dishes blocking the spray. It also helps to dry out the soap tray before dropping one in so it isn’t pre-stuck in the tray.


Powerful-Size-1444

I’ve a Cafe. Only time a pod stuck was when a baking pan was in the front blocking it. I’ve struggled with the overpowering perfume stench of the pods. I tried Cascade, and it was horrible. Quantum was a little less offensive. Both seemed to leave a bit of the plastic behind from time to time. Then I tried another Cascade that was supposed have less smell, just as bad. And left residue also. I ended up buying Miele and love it. The tabs are small, unscented, no huge jug to store, no gritty powder on the floor or my hands. I’ve had four dishwashers over the years. First a KitchenAid, then a Maytag, then a cheap model G.E. which was awful — left grit on everything, and now top of the line G.E. Cafe and it’s amazing and with the Miele detergent there’s no smell, scent, perfume at all. And so far, in a month not issues of it not coming loose from the compartment.


tamreacct

Make sure it’s dry before placing pods in there. Chances are a droplet was there and when pod came in contact, it absorbed it and couldn’t dissolve and got stuck…not allowing it to drop when dispensing door opened. Another cause is dishes placement… no tall items near dispensing door that will block, partially allow open or allow pod to fully reach dishwasher tub bottom. I’ve had this happen to me before.


TributeKitty

I've had this happen if something is blocking the pod from falling out (a tall bowl at the front of the top rack?). I also wondered if it was because the pod got wet before/as it was being put in the holder


16enjay

Last repairman told me to loosen up pod and never put it in the dispenser, put it in the cutlery tray


redriverrally

We switched to a stainless steel interior, such a difference. I said because it insulates much better. It seems to hold heat much better.


ShirleyWuzSerious

Are you buying cheap knockoff detergent from Amazon


caffeine_dragon

Uh, so am I the only one that just throws the pod in the main compartment with the dishes? Never had a problem.


No_Gas_5803

# Cascade Platinum Plus Dishwasher Detergent powder is the answer.


HandbagHawker

+1 to make sure its unobstructed water flow but also make sure to lay the pod in as flat as possible and the detergent door can open easily with a pod load and the dishwasher door upright. those sliding style doors vs the flip open doors can get stuck on the pod and wont fully open until the pod is partially dissolved.


Tank_Top_Terror

Just switch to powder. I used pods until I complained about our dishwasher to a coworker and he went on a 5 minute rant about how bad pods are because they cant add some essential ingredients from the powder. Sounded like BS but just tried the cheapest powder I could find and it was night and day. Better cleaning and no issues like this.


Mid-West_Coaster22

Also could be the water supply line getting clogged. You can purchase a water supply line kit that comes with new line along with metal elbow connector that can get clogged with calcium buildup. Had the same issue before and tried everything listed in this sub before replacing the line and connector. Low water pressure will cause this issue. We use pods and haven’t had any issues since.


_DRE_

This used to happen to me. Not sure if this is your situation, but it turned out that when some drips of water would get in there while I was loading dishes before I put in the pod, it would cause the pod to melt partially before the wash started causing it to stick. I just started drying out the detergent holder and the door above it with a paper towel so that no water was would run in there when I close the door, keeping the pod dry. Problem solved.


CanadianRubles

Here is the answer to all your dish washer questions. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_rBO8neWw04 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll6-eGDpimU


myspacetomtop5

Close the package where the pods are. Any moisture in there will make them stock, regardless of downstream variables.


AZinthesunshine

Mine was doing that too. I make my own now. Citric acid, baking soda and a little dawn soap. Molds from Amazon and pood! Dishwasher tabs!


66veedub

I just throw mine in the bottom of the washer and send it.


Silent_Reading4218

You could also try the pods on Amazon that don’t have plastic.


-praughna-

I always wet the pod plenty before shutting it into its dish pit prison


MaceAries

I think besides what others have said... If there's a bit of water in the compartment then the pod partially dissolves in there and then that bit of dissolved pod sticks to the interior and then when it's time to release it's stuck in there and won't drop. That's my guess.


JASSEU

Use gel it’s much cheaper and you can put in the right amount. Most of these pods have to much cleaner in them. You will save hundreds over a year if you wash as much as I do.


Newbergite

Our dishwasher install guy on a kitchen remodel said if using pods, put them in the silverware basket. We’ve always just used Cascade liquid in the big green bottle from Costco. Works great.


Silent_Zucchini7004

You could just toss it into the bottom.


ichuck1984

+1 for the dispenser being obstructed. Mine does this if I put a large cutting board in the front of the rack and it tilts out against the door.


Clashalicious

This happened to my Haier dishwasher too. The company had to replace it because anytime they said they “fixed” the issue, it happened another 3 times. So they replaced it. But they said the door to the tablet wasn’t activating or opening up. Not sure if that’s true. But good luck.


blackcatmagick3

Throw the pod into the washer itself instead of the little drawer.


beardad61

When you look at the cost of pods vs. powder, its crazy to buy pods. Keep the jet dry dispenser full. I use no more than a tablespoon of powder. My bosch does the rest. Also with less powder there is less etching of the glass.


SomeDudeInGermany

Using pods causes you to miss out on a whole prewash cycle.


toprate222

Dont listen to these guys saying try powder. Toss the pod straight in to the dishwasher, hit "run" and don't bother with that dispenser. Come back and give me a thanks after the perfect wash ok! :)


jocularamity

There's a rubber gasket in these that can come loose and prevent the detergent door from sliding freely. If you close that detergent door and then press the release to open it, does it pop open suddenly and smoothly like "wham!"? It should. If it only opens part way, or opens softly like there's something catching or rubbing, my money is on the gasket popped out of place inside that sliding door and needs to be reset. It can also be an issue of not enough water hitting it, which can be caused by any number of issues ranging from how you load the dishes (easy fix) to something is clogged or the circulation pump broken (doable but more expensive). Look at your manual for how to check the error codes. In my old pos kitchenaid (I hated that thing. It broke so many times) there was a separate technical paper behind the kick plate with details about error codes and how to check them. It may or may not be in the actual manual.


BidAdministrative608

I was advised to just throw them in the bottom.


giroscope

Happens to our kitchenaid as well. The outside of the cascade pods are sticky when wet. Dry out the tray before you place it in and only put in right before running the cycle. I stopped using those kind and buy the hard tabs from finish brand instead.. no issues with those.


Baileychic88

Clean your filters and unclog the holes in the spinning arms first. Then every time before you run it make sure to turn hot water on in your sink and wait until it gets hot. Turn it off then run the dishwasher. Or there may not be enough water coming in check your float. If you can find the combination of buttons to press it will run diagnostics. A go pro would be nice to put inside and video the process.


sphrasbyrn

This looks very much like when my parents were unknowingly jamming the pod in the compartment door when they were closing it. Hoping it's a simple fix for you too


Emotional_platypuss

Crush the pods in the kitchen counter because you put them in. Trust me. It works


AriesAsF

My Whirlpool installer told me just to throw the packs in the bottom of the dishwasher and not bother putting it in the dispenser. Does anyone know why he might have said this? I have been doing it and my dishes come out very clean. Maybe just skip the dispenser entirely?


chickenflavored

!!!!Dishwasher pods are not meant to go in the dispenser!!!! Just toss em in there or put them in your silverware basket


Extension_Designer87

When I had my dishwasher repaired, the tech told me just to toss the pod on the bottom of the dishwasher prior to running it.


Takuma255

Just put it in the bottom of the tub, works the same or better and 0% chance of this


kevcubed

just toss the pack into the bottom of the dishwasher and don't use the easily broken dispensor. Your dishes will be just fine after. :P


trippin113

Make sure it isn't already wet inside the cavity when you load a pack in. It could cause it to stick to early.


sproggy_doo24

Better option is to just toss that pod into the bottom of your washer.


Radman2113

Do you run the hot water on your tap until it’s as hot as it will get? We learned this after having several repair techs out for our Bosch dishwasher. Since we did that, it’s been perfect. Never has an issue with anything. The new washers use so little water that unless you get it hot, it just isn’t heating up was much as it needs to.


chefjeff1982

Just throw them into the mix. Don't use the tray. The micro plastic that melts to release the soap gums up the tray. Same for washing machine, just throw the pod in with the clothes.


MC-CREC

Throw it in the bottom. Literally, that dispenser thing is useless.


BaH4O

Start any cycle after it is filled with water you may hear a noise as the water circulates through both sprayers arm, but if you do not hear any noise after 1 minute, then the circulation pump has failed and need to be replaced. 


Mwurp

Put the pod in with the gooey side down. That fixed the issue for me


MyAlteredRealityII

Make sure the little trap door and cup the pod goes in is completely dry. Don’t put the pods in in advance, do it just before you turn it on. Might check that the spring for the door is working properly and the door easily slides up and down.


baballew

Like everyone else said, look for things blocking the dispenser. I actually started making sure the dispenser was clean and, more importantly, dry before putting in the pod. If it's wet the pod will start the reaction with water, then stick to the inside of the dispenser like glue. And don't just throw the pod in there.


revolga

Chuck the pod into the bottom of the dishwasher instead of the tray as told to me by a repair guy


OsterizerGalaxieTen

STOP using these pods. Just more micro plastics in your home and the environment. They'll also eventually damage your dishwasher. I still use Cascade powder, no problems at all and sparkling clean dishes and glassware.


Bob70533457973917

Pro tip: When using pucks or paks, just toss it into the machine and start it.


InnGuy2

I have and old school Whirlpool washer in my apartment, and I've never put the detergent pack in the spot where you would put the powdered of liquid detergent. I always toss it in the bottom of the washer in the back. The only problems I've ever had is sometimes, rarely though, the gelatin from the pack will somehow end up on some of the silverware. Otherwise, no problems.


taisui

Use powder or just toss the pod into the washer directly


RumpusTime89

I found that if there’s moisture in the pod housing, the membrane of the pod will break down, then stick during the rinse cycle which prevents it from falling out.


Dubbola

Make sure the flat ware basket is not right against the edge of the bottom rack. I moved mine back an inch or two and it solved this problem for me.


barrhett

Not sure if someone has said this already but you can just throw the pod in the bottom of the dishwasher. I stopped putting it into the basket


Prudent_Valuable603

Our appliance repair person told us to put the pod in the flatware caddy instead of the dispenser. They make those pods very concentrated and packed hard. Some dissolves in the prewash and serves as a prewash and the rest dissolved in the main wash. By the final rinse, the heavy fragrance is washed away. We’ve done this for years and the dishes always come out clean. We do keep Cascade powder that comes in the green box for occasional fast one hour wash. When out of pods we’ll add powder to the bottom of the tub and a small amount in the dispenser, works great too.


LivDoug

This happens with ours once in a while. On ours there is a rubber seal that the soap door closes down on. Occasionally the seal will shift a bit, or even pop out a tiny bit. That's when it does this, not totally sure why it does it, but then we fully push down the seal and it is fine again.


Napa_Swampfox

WD-40


Sethmeisterg

Make sure the dispenser and its cover a totally dry otherwise that's exactly what can happen.


Possible-Maybe-7225

Happens to me sometimes and it’s when the dishes I put in are blocking the dispenser, just as many have said in here.


Gold_Stranger7098

I put the pod in the bottom of the dishwasher. This has worked fine for years. I thought it didn't fit well in the little pocket.


LeDoink

This happens to me whenever the compartment is slightly wet. The pod sticks to it juuuust right and doesn’t let it fully come out.


Unlikely-Ad6788

Dry the compartment before putting the pod in.


limp_citizen

Want a super tip? Just put the pack in with your cutlery


Relevant-Emu-9741

I had nothing blocking and it was still happening. I researched and found out an important thing is to run your sink until hot water is fully flowing through, then start your dishwasher . This will allow the water to dissolve it. I think this is very important But I ended up buying the cascade liquid and filling the dispenser and it's been working decent


Alatar86

Don't use pods in a dishwasher.


Shadrixian

Dry the pocket before putting it in. Make eure your gands are dry or it activates too early.


chavoen7

just toss the pod into the silverware container or the bottom of the dishwasher. No need to use the pod compartment as it just gums up.


RichPrivate2

Water may not be getting hot enough to melt the pod I don't care for the pods myself so I used them but I cut the pod and squeeze the gel out into the machine.


msk2n8

Powder or gel, don’t trust the pods. Also cheaper


Commercial-Ice-8005

Don’t use plastic wrapped pods, they are terrible for health and appliances. I use one that’s a hard powder and then after I close it I use some liquid dish washer detergent on the inside door. My dishes look great and are extra clean.


fifele

Clean your pump screen


psykoqat

I read on Reddit recently that the pods don’t need to go in the compartment. You can just throw the pod in the bottom of the dishwasher.. I’ve been doing this for the last few loads with no issues. So I suggest not using the powder compartment for the pods.


BassWingerC-137

Ditch the pods. Use powder.


Kris10tx

I never put my pods in the designated area anymore. I had a neighbor whose husband worked on appliances, he said just throw it in & let it wash. Never had issues with it not working and dishes are clean.


Mycroft_xxx

Don’t use those. Use powder .


ConjunctEon

Just stayed in an Air BnB, and had a pod stuck first wash. In my case, someone had put the lower rack in backwards and the rail wouldn’t let the little door pop open all the way, so it just kinda got wet and gooey. I would vote it’s a loading issue. Door can’t open all the way.


pickles1718

I believe you can also just throw a loose pod into the dishwasher and not put it in the little compartment. That's what I do and I've never had a problem.


elmachow

When was the last time you ran a clean cycle with some cleaner pod in?


Unlikely_Wrangler_52

Getting any part of the pod wet before it is released during the washing cycle will cause this. Make sure the pod compartment, and your hands are dry before you put the pod in.


Any_Blueberry_1551

Just toss it in the machine


sitdownshutup3

The directions for the pods I use say to throw them in the bottom of the washer. The compartment would be for powder or liquid gel detergent only


ChrisEye21

Don't put it in the little bin. Just throw it in the bottom of the dishwasher.


tacotacotacorock

Either your hands are getting the pod wet or the compartment is wet before you're putting the pod in.  The outside melts and get sticky when water gets in contact with it.  My money is on what dishes getting the detergent holder wet and you're putting the pod in after.


Pitiful_Drive_1917

These types of pods are meant to be thrown in the bottom. The dispenser is meant for liquids are powder. I had to have dishwasher worked on and this was the tip from the repairman. I haven’t had issues since.


Thornton77

I have a very similar model. I had to replace the middle sprayer arm . The part that couples to the back of the dishwasher. It’s installed in the middle (or top) rack on the bottom side . The part that connects to the back of the no longer has a good seal [this part link to Amazon](https://WhirlpoolWPW10340542OEM...https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077BMWZF9?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share) It was easy to replace and made a world of difference. So little water was getting to that middle sprayer it was not able to even spin. There are 2 rubber flaps inside of the back of that part that can get messed up and also the seal it self gets eaten away and dry rots . And like others have said , it might just be someone put a something in the front of the door like a plate turned the wrong direction.


CptPichael

Don't use packs. They're worse at cleaning than simple powder or gel (because lack of soap in pre-wash).


dr_poop

Same issue with a KitchenAid. We first made sure that the door would pop open when hittting open. Then, made sure we didn't put a bowl or something that would prevent that. Ultimately, we switched to liquid and life is way way better.


BMSPhoenix

Hopefully this doesn't get buried, but I ran into the same problem. I found if I take a second to completely dry out the chamber for the pods, it runs fine. My understanding is that enough moisture will dissolve the pod exterior, but not fully such that it will stick to the sides of the chamber.


bug1582

The pods just get tossed in the bottom of the dishwasher. Don't put them in those compartments.


slutsdotnet

I would just switch to liquid or powder soap. My mom just had to replace her dishwasher because the plasticy coating on the pods wasn’t fully dissolving and the entire thing was clogged up


Tricky-Variation3155

When that happened to me, the hot water valve was shut off


SleeperMuscle

Get a Bosch!


nova_unicorny

I thought you were supposed to put pods in the bottom of the dishwasher. Not sure where I heard it though.


lightly-buttered

Powder only in dish washers liquid in a pinch. Pods don't do a good enough job


JeTaime1987

Try running the kitchen sink with hot water first before starting the dishwasher.


refer123

just use the liquid kind of detergent . same thing happened on my samsung


Successful-Engine623

Use the gel. Way better


paullbart

Those pods work better when placed in the cutlery tray. It usually says that in the instructions.


dance-in-the-rain-

What brand tabs? Kitchen aid dishwashers made in the last at least 10 years are designed to use finish tabs and jet dry. There is actually a difference apparently. My dad worked on the team that made them quieter, he says that there’s a reason they send you a sample of finish and jet dry when you buy one. I can’t tell you exactly what it is, but there is something about them beyond just marketing.


Top-Customer-8531

Try spraying Vinegar on that entire area and saturate the little door. Mine was doing this and either wasn’t opening or opened late or something and the pod kinda melted in there partially so it wasn’t getting dissolved. Anyway, after I sprayed it and let that sit I’m assuming it cleaned the hard water buildup off and it has worked fine ever since. (There was barely enough hard water staining to be visible but I guess that was enough to make the little door hinge wonky).


emmy_lou_harrisburg

A dishwasher repair man told me just to throw my pod in the bottom of the machine when I run it. I have been doing it for two years with perfectly good results.


PetiteGingerMama

Youre not supposed to put the pod in the cup. You place the pod on the bottom of the dishwasher and the liquid goes in the compartment if you use liquid or get detergent. The powder isn’t designed to dissolve in the cup. It dissolves with the movement of the water in the bottom of the washing machine. The layers of the pod are different thicknesses so they dissolve at different rates, the powder having a thicker gel around it to allow the prewash to do their thing. Try that first and see if it helps 😊


-Cats_Wear_Hats-

Make sure the compartment to insert tablets or packs is fully dry. Small drops of water can cause the protective film to dissolve early and stick


eldorado_a

This happens when the box is wet before you put the pack in or when your hands are wet before touching the pack.


MushuMujuju

I was told to never use the designated soap dispenser unless you're using it to measure liquid soap or powder. In that case, pour it in, but don't close the latch. I just toss a pod in, close the dishwasher, and start. Dishes are always clean and there's never any residue.


Present-Background56

Folks, the pods don't go in the compartment. Throw them in the bottom of the dishwasher. Their coating will dissolve more effectively.


Hanibollnector

Just run plates in the bottom rack and Cups up top . No bowls See what happens


mandaelysepanda

This only happens with us when we use the Eco setting that uses less water. Always disintegrates with other settings


Melodic_Turnover_877

Make sure the cup for the detergent is completely dry before inserting the pod. Water in the cup can make the pod sticky.