Why Your Dishwasher Soap Dispenser Won’t Stay Closed (Fixed)

When a dishwasher soap dispenser is not functioning properly, this can create a situation where the dishes don’t get cleaned correctly.

You will have stains, odors, and sometimes the dishwasher won’t run at all.

This is when it becomes important to find out why your dishwasher soap dispenser won’t stay closed.

A dishwasher soap dispenser won’t stay closed because the door latch has been affected. This occurs when there is debris in the latch or the door is damaged. To fix the issue, clean the debris, tighten the latch, or replace it if the door is damaged.

In some situations, the dishwasher soap dispenser won’t stay closed because the door has broken or cracked. This is common with older door latches because of general wear and tear.

It is best to replace the door latch rather than attempting to continue using the dishwasher in its current condition.

This guide will showcase more on what you should be doing when a dishwasher soap dispenser won’t stay closed.

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How To Fix Dishwasher Soap Dispenser That Won’t Stay Closed

1. Inspect The Door Latch

When learning how to fix a dishwasher soap dispenser door latch, it’s important to get straight to the root of the problem.

This is the main reason why your dishwasher soap dispenser doesn’t close.

The door latch is likely dealing with residue and/or something that is causing it to stop from closing completely.

This is why the first thing you have to do is take a deeper look at what is going on with the door latch.

Is it too loose?

Is there debris that is stopping it from closing?

These are common reasons for a door latch to not function the way it is designed to. Look for these signs as you are looking at the dishwasher soap dispenser’s door to make sure everything is alright.

If there is something wrong with the door latch or there is residue/debris then that is the problem.

dishwasher soap dispenser won't stay closed

2. Tighten The Latch

The first thing you are going to do is tighten the door latch.

To do this, you are going to find the connecting point between the door and the base. This is going to vary depending on the dishwasher model you have in your situation.

For the most part, there will be a screw that is holding the base in place. This is likely linked to the door latch.

Tighten the screw and make sure to press down on the door while doing this. It will ensure it remains flush and continues to stay closed when you do shut the dishwasher soap dispenser after filling it.

3. Remove Debris And/Or Residue

You will also want to take a look at any debris that is stuck between the door latch and the base of the dispenser.

This is common when you are regularly using the dishwasher.

Debris can get stuck in the door and that is when it doesn’t close properly. Your goal here should be to take a small brush and begin to get into those hard-to-reach areas.

The brush will help take out any debris that is present.

For hard residue, you should use baking soda and let it sit on the door latch. This should help loosen the debris before you remove it.

dishwasher soap dispenser won't stay closed

4. Replace The Door Latch (If Necessary)

Let’s assume you have tried everything and nothing has worked.

This can happen when a dishwasher soap dispenser doesn’t remain closed. If that is the case, you will need to think about replacing the door latch.

The door latch has likely broken to the point it needs to be replaced.

If you are lucky, just the latch will have to be replaced. Otherwise, the entire base is going to come out to take out the dispenser.

Each model has a unique price point and it is important to find a compatible dishwasher soap dispenser door latch.

Final Thoughts

These are the details to think about if a dishwasher soap dispenser won’t stay closed.

If a dishwasher soap dispenser won’t stay closed, it is likely damaged or there is debris between the latch and base. To fix the issue, swipe away any debris trapped in the door latch, tighten it, or replace the entire part.

Each situation is unique and your best option is to go through each step one by one. This is the best way to make sure things are done the way they are supposed to be.

Take your time to look at what is causing the door latch to not close in your dishwasher. If it is damaged, you will need to replace it.

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