Kenmore Dishwasher Maintenance Guide

Why Kenmore Dishwasher Maintenance Matters

Kenmore dishwashers — sold under model series 587 (Frigidaire platform) and 665 (Whirlpool platform) — are designed to last 10 to 13 years with proper care. The component that determines service life more than any other is the wash pump, and the factor that most directly affects pump longevity is how clean the filter assembly is kept. A clogged filter forces the pump to recirculate dirty water at higher pressure, accelerating wear on pump seals and bearings. It also causes most of the common dishwasher complaints: odors, standing water after cycles, and dishes that come out dirty. This guide covers the maintenance tasks from Kenmore owner manuals on ManualsLib and care guidance from Sears PartsDirect and RepairClinic.

Monthly Maintenance Tasks

• Clean the filter assembly. The filter is located at the bottom of the dishwasher tub, typically consisting of a cylindrical fine-mesh filter and a flat coarse filter beneath it. Twist the cylindrical filter counter-clockwise and lift out. Remove the flat filter as well. Rinse both under warm running water, using a soft brush and a few drops of dish soap to remove trapped food particles and grease. Do not use a wire brush — it damages the mesh. Reinstall both filters before running the dishwasher.
• Run a cleaning cycle. Once a month, run an empty dishwasher with a commercial dishwasher cleaner tablet placed in the bottom of the tub (not the detergent dispenser). This dissolves grease and mineral scale from interior surfaces, the heating element, and the pump that regular cycles do not address. Alternatively, place a bowl filled with 2 cups of white vinegar on the bottom rack and run a hot cycle — this addresses mineral scale but is less effective on grease than commercial cleaners.
• Wipe door gasket and door channel. The door gasket and the channel it seats in accumulate food debris and mold. Wipe the gasket with a damp cloth and use a soft toothbrush in the fold channel. Check for any cracking or areas where the gasket has pulled away from the door frame — water will escape through any gap in the seal.
• Check and refill rinse aid. Open the rinse aid dispenser (typically on the inside of the door) and verify the level indicator shows at least half full. Refill with liquid rinse aid as needed. Running without rinse aid leaves mineral deposits on glass and stainless surfaces and increases the drying time for plastic items.

Every 6 Months

• Clean spray arms. Remove the lower spray arm (unscrew the center nut or pull the arm off its clip, depending on model) and the upper spray arm. Rinse each arm under warm water and use a toothpick to clear any clogged spray ports. Soak in white vinegar for 30 minutes to dissolve mineral deposits in the port holes. Reinstall with the spray ports pointing upward on the lower arm and downward on the upper arm.
• Inspect door latch and detergent dispenser. The door latch must engage fully for the dishwasher to start. Inspect the latch strike and the latch mechanism for wear or misalignment. The detergent dispenser door should spring open sharply at the correct point in the wash cycle — a dispenser that sticks closed leaves detergent unused and dishes dirty.
• Check drain hose routing. Under the sink, verify the drain hose forms a high loop or is connected to an air gap before entering the disposal or standpipe. A hose that sags below the drain connection allows wastewater to siphon back into the tub between cycles.

Annual Deep Maintenance

• Inspect water inlet valve and screen. Tools needed: screwdriver. Shut off the water supply under the sink. Disconnect the supply hose from the inlet valve (typically at the left side of the dishwasher bottom). Inspect the mesh screen in the valve inlet for mineral deposits or debris. Clean with a soft brush or replace the screen insert. Restricted water inlet flow causes insufficient water fill, triggering wash performance complaints.
• Inspect and clean the tub base. With the filter removed, use a damp cloth to clean the sump area at the bottom of the tub. Accumulated grease and debris in this area cause odors and can block the drain path even when the filter is clean.
• Verify water temperature. Run the hot water at the kitchen sink until it is fully hot before starting the dishwasher. The dishwasher should receive water at 120°F (49°C) for effective cleaning and sanitization. If the water heater is set below 120°F, the dishwasher will not clean effectively regardless of its own heating element performance.
• Check rack integrity. Inspect rack tines for broken tips that expose bare metal. Bare metal tines will rust and deposit rust stains on dishes. Tine repair caps (available from Sears PartsDirect) can be applied to individual broken tines as a low-cost repair. Racks with extensive rust should be replaced.

Consumables: Filters and Parts

• Filter assembly — order by full model number. The filter is a consumable that should be replaced if the mesh is torn or permanently clogged. Kenmore 665-series filters are Whirlpool-compatible; 587-series are Frigidaire-compatible.
• Rinse aid — a consumable; use liquid rinse aid from any major brand. Refill monthly under normal use.
• Dishwasher cleaner — commercial dishwasher cleaning tablets remove grease and scale that vinegar alone cannot address. Use monthly.
• Rack tine repair caps — vinyl caps in multiple sizes; apply to broken tine tips to prevent rust.
• Door gasket — model-specific; order by full model number. Replace at the first sign of cracking or leaking.

Get Professional Maintenance

Wash pump inspection, water inlet valve testing, and control board diagnosis require professional equipment. Our preventive maintenance service includes a full filter and spray arm cleaning, water inlet verification, and pump performance check in a single visit. For existing problems, see our guide on Kenmore dishwasher not draining. If the dishwasher is over 12 years old and has experienced multiple component failures, review when to replace a Kenmore dishwasher.