Why Does My Dishwasher Smell? 7 Causes and How to Fix It

Why Does My Dishwasher Smell? 7 Causes and How to Fix It

If you open your dishwasher and notice a musty, sour, or unpleasant odor, something inside may need attention.

Dishwasher smells are often caused by trapped food, grease, moisture, or drainage problems. Fortunately, many common causes can be checked and cleaned without taking the appliance apart.

Here are seven common reasons your dishwasher may smell and what you can do about them.

Important: Dishwasher designs vary. Always follow your dishwasher owner’s manual before removing parts or using cleaning products. Never mix household cleaning chemicals.

1. Dirty Dishwasher Filter

A dirty filter is one of the first places to check when your dishwasher begins to smell.

Food particles, grease, labels, and other debris may collect in the filter and begin producing unpleasant odors.

What to Do

Check your owner’s manual to see whether your dishwasher has a removable filter.

If it does:

1. Remove the lower rack.

2. Locate the filter.

3. Remove it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

4. Rinse it under warm running water.

5. Use a soft brush to gently remove stubborn debris.

6. Reinstall the filter securely.

Do not force a filter that does not come out easily.

For detailed filter-cleaning instructions, read our guide How to Clean a Dishwasher Filter: Step-by-Step Guide.

2. Food Debris Is Trapped Inside

Small pieces of food can collect around the bottom of the dishwasher, near the filter, or in other accessible areas.

Over time, trapped food can begin to smell.

What to Do

Empty the dishwasher and remove the lower rack.

Check the bottom of the tub for:

• Food scraps

• Seeds

• Labels

• Toothpicks

• Small pieces of plastic

• Other loose debris

Carefully remove anything you can safely reach.

Be cautious because broken glass or sharp objects may sometimes be hidden among the debris.

Prevention Tip: Scrape large food scraps from dishes before loading them. Most dishes do not need to be completely pre-rinsed unless your dishwasher manufacturer recommends it.

3. Grease and Residue Have Built Up

Grease, detergent residue, and food soil may gradually collect on the dishwasher’s interior surfaces.

Common trouble spots include:

• Interior walls

• Door edges

• Filter

• Racks

• Detergent dispenser

• Bottom of the tub

What to Do

Use a soft cloth or sponge with warm water to wipe accessible surfaces.

If additional cleaning is needed, use a dishwasher cleaner approved for your model and follow the manufacturer’s directions.

Do not assume vinegar, baking soda, bleach, citric acid, or another household product is safe for every dishwasher.

Prevention Tip: Scrape away large food scraps and select the appropriate wash cycle for heavily soiled dishes.

4. The Door Gasket and Edges Are Dirty

The dishwasher’s spray may not fully clean the edges of the door or the flexible gasket around the opening.

Food residue and moisture can collect in these areas and create odors.

What to Do

Open the dishwasher and inspect the gasket and door edges.

Look for:

• Food residue

• Grease

• Sticky buildup

• Debris in corners

Wipe the area gently with a soft damp cloth.

A soft toothbrush may help clean narrow crevices.

If the gasket is cracked, torn, loose, or leaking, contact the manufacturer or an appliance repair professional.

5. The Spray Arms Are Dirty or Clogged

Spray arms contain small openings that distribute water throughout the dishwasher.

Food particles or mineral buildup may sometimes block these holes and reduce cleaning performance.

What to Do

With the dishwasher empty:

1. Inspect the visible spray-arm openings.

2. Look for food or debris.

3. Make sure the spray arms can rotate freely.

4. Follow your owner’s manual for cleaning instructions.

Only remove spray arms if your manufacturer says they are designed for homeowner maintenance.

Do not force them off or push sharp tools deeply into the openings.

6. Standing Water or Drainage Problems

A noticeable pool of dirty water remaining after a wash cycle can quickly create unpleasant odors.

Possible causes may include:

• Dirty filter

• Drainage blockage

• Kinked drain hose

• Garbage-disposal connection problem

• Installation issue

• Drain-pump problem

What to Do

Start with basic maintenance recommended in your owner’s manual.

Check the filter and remove any visible food debris you can safely reach.

Do not pour chemical drain cleaners into the dishwasher or begin taking apart pumps, hoses, wiring, or internal drainage components.

Important: If standing water keeps returning after basic cleaning, follow your owner’s manual troubleshooting steps or contact an appliance professional.

7. Dirty Dishes Are Sitting Too Long

Sometimes the odor is coming from the dishes rather than the dishwasher itself.

Food residue left on dishes inside a closed dishwasher can begin to smell, especially if the load sits for a long time.

Foods that may create stronger odors include:

• Eggs

• Dairy

• Fish

• Meat

• Sauces

• Greasy foods

What to Do

Scrape large food scraps from dishes before loading them.

Try not to leave heavily soiled dishes sitting inside the dishwasher for several days.

If your dishwasher has a rinse cycle, check your owner’s manual to see whether it is appropriate to use between full wash cycles.

How to Prevent Dishwasher Odors

A few simple habits can help keep your dishwasher fresher.

• Scrape large food scraps before loading dishes.

• Check and clean a removable filter according to the manufacturer’s schedule.

• Wipe food and grease from the door edges and gasket.

• Keep the spray arms unobstructed.

• Use detergent designed for automatic dishwashers.

• Use the amount of detergent recommended for your machine.

• Address standing water or drainage problems promptly.

• Run the manufacturer-recommended maintenance or cleaning cycle when needed.

Common Dishwasher Cleaning Mistakes

Using Regular Dish Soap

Never put ordinary hand dishwashing liquid in an automatic dishwasher. It can create excessive suds and potentially cause leaks.

Mixing Cleaning Products

Never combine household cleaning chemicals.

Certain combinations can create dangerous fumes or reactions.

Assuming Vinegar Is Safe for Every Dishwasher

Vinegar is commonly suggested online, but cleaning recommendations vary by manufacturer.

Check your owner’s manual before using it.

Using Abrasive Scrubbers

Steel wool and rough scouring pads may damage dishwasher surfaces and components.

Stick with soft cloths, sponges, and brushes.

Forcing Parts Off

Dishwasher designs are different.

Never force filters, spray arms, panels, or other parts off simply because another dishwasher can be taken apart that way.

When to Call an Appliance Professional

Routine cleaning may not solve every dishwasher odor.

Consider professional help if:

• The dishwasher will not drain.

• Standing water repeatedly returns.

• The dishwasher leaks.

• You hear unusual grinding or buzzing sounds.

• Error codes keep appearing.

• The gasket is damaged.

• A strong sewage-like odor continues after cleaning.

• Cleaning does not improve the smell.

• You notice a burning or electrical odor.

If you smell burning or an electrical odor, stop using the dishwasher and follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my dishwasher smell like rotten food?

Food may be trapped in the filter, bottom of the tub, spray-arm area, or around another accessible part of the dishwasher.

Start by checking those areas for debris.

Why does my dishwasher still smell after cleaning the filter?

The filter is only one possible source.

Also check the door gasket, door edges, spray arms, bottom of the tub, and whether standing water remains after a cycle.

Can a dirty dishwasher filter cause odors?

Yes. Food and grease trapped in a removable filter may contribute to unpleasant smells.

Why does my dishwasher smell like sewage?

A sewage-like smell may be related to drainage, plumbing, installation, or a garbage-disposal connection.

If normal cleaning does not solve the problem, consult the manufacturer or a qualified professional.

Can I clean a smelly dishwasher with vinegar?

Some manufacturers permit vinegar for certain cleaning procedures, while others recommend different products.

Check your owner’s manual before using vinegar.

Can I use baking soda or bleach?

Only use cleaning products your dishwasher manufacturer recommends or permits.

Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia, or other cleaning products.

How often should I check my dishwasher?

Follow your manufacturer’s maintenance schedule.

For many households, periodically checking the filter, gasket, spray arms, and bottom of the dishwasher can help catch buildup before it becomes severe.

Final Thoughts

If your dishwasher smells bad, start with these seven common trouble spots:

1. Dirty filter

2. Trapped food debris

3. Grease and residue buildup

4. Dirty door gasket and edges

5. Clogged spray arms

6. Standing water or drainage problems

7. Dirty dishes sitting too long

Most mild dishwasher odors can be improved with routine cleaning and maintenance.

If the smell keeps returning—especially when it comes with standing water, leaking, unusual noises, or error codes—the dishwasher may need professional attention.