How much does dishwasher repair cost?#
Most dishwasher repairs land between $90 and $450, with a typical bill around $185 once parts and labor are combined. Where you fall comes down to which component failed — a spray arm or float switch sits at the low end, while a control board or wash motor climbs toward the top. Even a major dishwasher repair stays well under the $400 to $1,200 it takes to buy and install a new machine, so fixing is usually the sensible call.
What dishwasher repair typically costs
| Repair scale | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Minor repair | $90–$185 |
| Typical repair | $185 |
| Major repair | $185–$450 |
What drives dishwasher repair costs#
Three things move a dishwasher repair up or down the range: which part failed, the split between parts and labor, and the brand. A pump or latch swap is mostly labor, while a control board stacks an expensive part on top of the same diagnostic time. Premium lines such as KitchenAid, Bosch, and Miele use pricier boards and proprietary parts, so an identical fault can cost more than it would on a mainstream unit. Age matters too, since an older dishwasher with a worn pump often has a second fault waiting — which is why the part-by-part table below is the honest way to price the job.
Dishwasher repair cost by part
| Part replaced | Typical cost (parts + labor) | Common signs |
|---|---|---|
| Control board | $180–$450 | a dead panel, unresponsive buttons, or cycles that quit partway |
| Wash motor / pump | $150–$350 | loud grinding, a weak wash, or no circulation |
| Drain pump | $125–$240 | standing water, a humming pump, or a cycle that stops before draining |
| Heating element | $130–$250 | cold results, long cycles, or no heat at all |
| Water inlet valve | $100–$200 | no fill, a slow fill, or a unit that keeps filling |
| Door latch | $95–$190 | a cycle that will not start or a door that pops open |
| Spray arm | $95–$160 | dishes left dirty, a gritty film, or arms that do not spin |
| Float switch | $90–$145 | overfilling, leaks, or a unit that will not fill |
Do You Have the Right Tools?
Water pressure gauge ($60), spray arm tester, float switch multimeter ($85), and drain inspection camera. Our technician arrives with $3,000+ in professional tools — your diagnostic is free.
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Common dishwasher repairs and what they signal#
The symptom you notice usually points straight to the repair. Standing water at the bottom means the drain pump; dishes that come out gritty point to a tired spray arm; a panel that never lights up is a control board or door latch. A dishwasher that will not fill is almost always the water inlet valve or the float switch. Our dishwasher troubleshooting guides walk each of these symptoms in depth, but the symptom-to-cost table below hands you the ballpark first.
Common dishwasher problems and what they cost to fix
| Symptom | Most likely repair | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Not draining / standing water | Drain pump | $125–$240 |
| Will not fill with water | Water inlet valve | $100–$200 |
| Dishes not getting clean | Spray arm | $95–$160 |
| Door will not latch / leaks at the door | Door latch | $95–$190 |
| Not drying / no heat in the cycle | Heating element | $130–$250 |
| Dead panel / no power | Control board | $180–$450 |
| Overfills / will not stop filling | Float switch | $90–$145 |
| Loud grinding during the wash | Wash motor / pump | $150–$350 |
Is it worth repairing your dishwasher?#
For most dishwashers the math favors repair. A new machine runs $400 to $1,200 installed, so a fix anywhere in the $90 to $450 range is the cheaper path, often by a wide margin. The verdict only flips once the unit is past about nine years old and the quote pushes toward the high end — at that point you are paying half the price of a new dishwasher to keep an aging one running. Under nine years, repair almost always wins.
Repair or replace your dishwasher?
| If the repair runs… | A new unit, installed, runs… | Usually the smart move |
|---|---|---|
| $90–$185 (typical) | $400–$1,200 | Repair |
| toward $450 or more (major) | $400–$1,200 | Weigh replacement |
Safety First — Know the Risks
Live 120V wiring in a wet environment is one of the most dangerous DIY scenarios. Water + electricity = serious shock risk. Our techs are licensed and insured — let them handle the risk.
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Dishwasher repair cost: frequently asked questions#
How much does it cost to repair a dishwasher on average?#
On average a dishwasher repair runs about $185 once parts and labor are combined, with the full span reaching from $90 for a minor fix to $450 for a major one such as a control board. Your exact figure depends on the failed part and the brand.
What is the most expensive dishwasher repair?#
The control board is the priciest common dishwasher repair at $180 to $450, because the part itself is costly and it must be diagnosed carefully before replacement. A wash motor or pump is next at $150 to $350.
Is it cheaper to repair or replace a dishwasher?#
Repair is cheaper in nearly every case. A new dishwasher installed costs $400 to $1,200, while even a major repair tops out near $450. Replacement only makes sense once the unit is old and the fix approaches the price of a new one.
Why do dishwasher repair quotes vary so much?#
Quotes swing because the same symptom can trace to a cheap part or an expensive one, and because brands price parts very differently. A door latch is a quick $95 to $190 job, while the control board behind the same dead panel is $180 to $450.
Does the brand of my dishwasher change the repair cost?#
Yes. Mainstream brands keep parts affordable, but premium lines like Miele, Bosch, and KitchenAid use proprietary boards and pumps that raise the parts side of the bill. Labor is similar across brands; it is the part price that moves.
How much is a service call for a dishwasher repair?#
A diagnostic is usually folded into the repair price rather than charged on top, and EasyBear runs a free diagnostic. Where a standalone service fee applies it is modest and typically credited against the repair if you go ahead.
Are parts or labor the bigger cost in a dishwasher repair?#
It depends on the part. For a pump, latch, or spray arm the job is mostly labor and diagnostic time. For a control board the part itself dominates, which is why board jobs sit at the top of the $90 to $450 range.