The Bosch dishwasher is a modern plumbing, electronics, and residential engineering marvel. Without dishwashers, you’d have soap-dry hands after standing at the sink every night after dinner.
That’s why it is pretty alarming when even the tiniest detail makes your entire dishwasher non-functional. This situation is prevalent regarding soap dispensers since it is a crucial part of your Bosh dishwasher.
If the Bosch dishwasher soap dispenser is not opening, it will be locked during the dishwasher cycle, and the dishes won’t be cleaned. This equals your dishwasher not working as it doesn’t perform its primary purpose.
So in this guide, you’ll learn about the most common reasons behind this issue and find the solutions for the Bosch dishwasher soap dispenser that won’t open.
Why is your Bosch Dishwasher Soap Dispenser Not Opening?
The soap dispenser is controlled by a spring-operated door latch that is wired into the control board of your Bosch dishwasher machine.
Once the dishwasher has reached the point when it needs to release the soap, the control board sends a message to the dispenser.
However, the soap dispenser only opens partially. The door hits one of the dish racks and allows the dispenser to open a little bit, just enough for the tablet to release slowly.
If any issues prevent the dishwasher dispenser from opening, or if it is not closed properly, you’ve got a real problem. Possibly one that keeps your Bosch dishwasher from washing dishes.
While removing blockages caused by debris may be a solution in most cases, you have to troubleshoot other reasons why the Bosch dishwasher soap dispenser is not opening.
1. The bi-metal actuator/loop
The opening and closing mechanism of the dispenser is initiated by an electrical signal from the control panel. But it is a bi-metallic switch that is responsible for that.
It acts as a latch for the dispenser door and bends from the latch when electricity is applied to it.
If the Bosch dishwasher soap dispenser is not opening, this bi-metallic strip might have burned while the dispenser was in the closed position. In this case, the strip will need to be replaced.
2. Damaged dishwasher detergent container
Very often, the detergent dispenser’s physical damage or deformities might be why the soap dispenser won’t open.
There might be some dried-up soap residue stuck inside the moving parts. This blocks the dispenser lid and keeps it from opening.
3. Damaged dispenser cover
Apart from the container, its adjacent parts, like the Bosch dishwasher soap dispenser cover, could also be damaged. This part is more prone to physical damage and deformity since it is exposed to the outside.
4. Brocken spring
The tiny spring is the thing that powers the soap dispenser and makes the detergent dispenser door pop open instead of falling open. The spring triggers and pops the dispenser open at the right time of the wash cycle.
If the door spring is broken, your Bosch dishwasher soap dispenser is far from likely to open the way it should. The detergent will only partially leave the chamber around the dispenser door and the dishwasher door surrounding it.
5. Brocken latch
When the dispenser lid is fully closed, you can hear a particular “click” sound from the lid that latches in. You can spot a small circular piece hanging out of the side whenever you do so. When pressed on, it releases the soap dispenser lid. This piece controls the latch on the soap dispenser lid.
If the latch is damaged or the dispenser door is not connected to this latch piece, the soap dispenser won’t open at the right time.
6. Damaged dispenser actuator
The actuator is another electrical component that might cause the soap dispenser to lock itself. If the actuator is damaged, it won’t receive a proper signal from the control board and will keep the lid closed.
The actuator burning out scenario is also possible, but in most cases, the physical damage on the moving arm is the reason.
7. Faulty dispenser lever
The dispenser lever is a white plastic piece connected to the actuator and the latch. While the actuator pushes the shaft, the lever’s job is to rotate the latch so the Bosch dishwasher soap dispenser lid can open.
This part of the dispenser could also get easily damaged, so keep an eye on it. The lid opening process is altered if it is damaged physically or loses connections with the actuator.
8. Faulty mainboard
If everything else in your Bosch dishwasher works fine, except for the soap dispenser, you need to look closely at the main control board. It could be either the power line that runs from the control board to the soap dispenser or the control board itself.
How to fix a Bosch Dishwasher Soap Dispenser Not Opening?
Even though the soap dispenser is a crucial part of your Bosch dishwasher, it functions fairly simply and is opened automatically via several common washer parts.
So when the Bosch dishwasher soap dispenser is not opening, it could be either the part malfunction or obstructions.
As you can see from the reasons, we’ve discussed above, removing the blockages caused by debris is the first thing to do.
However, depending on the level of damage, you could have to replace the whole dispenser or just some components that are non-functional anymore.
So, let’s see what you can do to fix the Bosch dishwasher soap dispenser not opening issue.
1. Check the bi-metal actuator.
If the Bosch Dishwasher soap dispenser is not opening, the first thing to check is the bi-metal actuator. To determine whether it’s burned out, use the multimeter and test it for continuity.
First, you need to turn the power off your dishwasher and locate the bi-metal actuator resorting to the user manual. Once you locate it, get the multimeter and test it.
If the test shows no continuity, you’ll need to replace this component, but if it does, you can check other components of the soap dispenser.
Additionally, make sure the dishwasher is getting enough water. The water level determines if enough current is drawn through the bi-metal to cause it to bend properly.
2. Inspect the detergent container
The dispenser container is another thing you should check before other dishwasher parts. Start by giving it a good inspection to see if there is any sign of damage. Try to open and close it to ensure it is not stuck.
If it gets stuck, remove any dried-up soap that might prevent the movement, You might also need to remove the lid with the screwdriver and clean everything inside with the toothpick or toothbrush.
However, if the detergent dispenser container is cracked or damaged, you will need to remove the whole unit as they are challenging to repair.
3. Examine the soap dispenser cover
The soap dispenser cover might also need to be cleaned out of the dried-up soap. It will clear the blockages and allows the lid to slide smoothly. However, if the cover is heavily damaged, you must replace the dispenser.
4. Check the dispenser actuator.
To check the dispenser actuator for any signs of damage, you need to open the soap dispenser door and locate the dispenser by using the user manual.
If you see any sign of physical damage, you need to place this part and check if it solves the issue of the Bosch dishwasher soap dispenser not opening.
5. Repair the mainboard
If you determine the faulty control board causes the issue with the soap dispenser; you should replace it. Although you can replace the control board or the power cables, switch off the power first and use the proper tools.
If you don’t feel confident enough to do the job, it’s best to call a service for dishwasher repair.
Adrian is an ISCET licensed professional that has completed the National Appliance Service Technician Certification Exam and has the expertise to diagnose and repair any appliance. He is well-versed in the latest technologies and techniques and is always up-to-date on the latest industry standards.
