Smelly dishwasher?

Ugh, I hate this issue. We've had it too. I've found when it gets that funky smell, the filter needs to be cleaned. In our dishwasher (a Bosch) you can easily pull the filter unit out and take it apart. I clean it off and put it back into place and that usually helps the issue.
I also use a dishwasher cleaner called "Dishwasher Magic" it was recommended to me by the appliance shop where we got the dw. They said it was the best of all the cleaners. I have found using that and keeping the filter free of gunk has tremendously helped. Good luck!

Have yet to try this personally, but I have heard that putting a few drops of an essential oil in your dishwasher detergent or just straight into the dishwasher when you run it can help mask the smell. Not a long term solution, but might be worth trying it out.

Most likely, the filter needs to be cleaned. Cleaning out the dishwasher’s drain filter will eliminate those nasty food scraps, along with any grease or oil that’s become trapped in there and has begun to grow bacteria and get stinky.

Thanks all for the suggestions! Unfortunately this dishwasher doesn't have a filter, no mention of it in the manual & install. Perhaps a bad design...

Sharad Agarwal Can you share what make/model you have?

I have a KitchenAid KUDS30IXWH7

I had a similar problem even after cleaning the filter on my Miele. Cleared it right up by using Glisten Dishwaster Magic Liquid on the sanitize cycle. Now I use that once every six months or so as a preventative measure.

Our KitchenAid has this filter, you unscrew and lift it out. Cleaning it helps a lot, but I’ve also found that certain detergents make my dishwasher and dishes smellier than others (we use Dropps now, which I love), and it’s worse if the dishwasher stays closed for hours after it’s been run (like you run it before before bed and it sits all night).

It’s less of a filter and more of a food trap at the bottom of the dishwasher. Depending on the level of soil your dishes it can build up quickly. That’s most likely your culprit, on top of the detergent you use.

My dishwasher is the kind where there isn't a filter, at least not visible and not in the manuals. Bolstered by everyone's very helpful suggestions, and determination to even replace the dishwasher if I break it, I decided to take it apart. It was quite an endeavor to take everything out, lots of T20 screws, hidden latches, etc. But I found a lot of smelly gunk in various crevices! I scrubbed it all with baking soda & soap. I now understand the design of this system and why they don't have a user-accessible filter, and I think it's a poor design. But I'm running a cleaning cycle now and I hope it will be smell free!

Thank you very much to each of you and this wonderful community on FreshChalk!

Run bleach for one cycle, you could be smelling mold

Don’t run bleach if you have a stainless steel dishwasher. It will damage it

We have had the smell issue too. Usually running a quick rinse after it’s done fixes the issue but I’m pretty sure it’s supposed to work without extra effort 😉

I’m going to try Glisten. Thank you everyone!

After my attempt at dismantling and scrubbing everything, I still smell the odor but a fair bit less than before. There were deep nooks and crannies in the base that I couldn't get to, so there may be more mold/bacteria sitting there. I ran Glisten through it last night. I hope that will eliminate it.

I watched some videos yesterday. Also look at the drain pipe which is under your sink. If it’s all gucked out inside, than may cause some smell too.

I run CLR through my dishwasher from time to time helps keep the pipes and pump clean. clrbrands.com/How-To/Videos...

There is a "catch trap" that can be turned and twisted off! It is in the bottom of the tub. You might have build up in it.