How to Install Frigidaire Dishwasher: A Step-by-Step Guide for Seamless Kitchen Upgrades

Is this the first time you’re trying to install Frigidaire dishwasher? Are you find it difficult to install a dishwasher? And don’t you want to call a professional that will charge a lot of cash? And you don’t know where to start and which tools and parts you use?

before I begin installing the dishwasher you’ve prepared the space that is going into by clearing any blockages or pipes. And also I’ve made sure that the cavities are actually big enough to take the dishwasher.

there are three things you need to install, you need a power supply a water supply, and a drain. In the case of the power supply.

This guide is for you we’ll explain how to install Frigidaire dishwasher step-by-step from a to z.

Frigidaire is one of the most popular American appliance brands, and its dishwashers give you a lot of bang for your buck.

Frigidaire makes dozens of dishwashers, and it doesn’t divide them into different series the way other manufacturers do. 

To make the assortment easier to wrap your head around.

So please follow the steps and instructions and don’t skip any step because if you do that you’ll miss something and your dishwasher will not operate.

Discover a dishwasher that does more. With the most powerful motor on the market and sturdy stainless steel interiors, Frigidaire dishwashers will stand up to years of wiping grime and grit from your dishes.

How To Install Frigidaire Dishwasher Step-By-Step

What do I need to install Frigidaire dishwasher?

TOOLS YOU WILL NEED:

  • Phillips head screwdriver
  • 5/16″ and 1/4″ nutdriver
  • 6″ Adjustable wrench
  • Level ¨ Carpenters square
  • Measuring tape
  • Safety glasses
  • Flashlight
  • Bucket to catch water when flushing the line
  • Gloves

MATERIALS YOU WILL NEED:

  • Ferrule, compression nut and 90° Elbow (3/ 8”NPT external thread on one end, opposite end sized to fit water supply)
  • Thread seal tape
  • UL Listed wire nuts (3)

PARTS SUPPLIED:

  • Two #8 Phillips flat head wood screws, 5/8” long to secure dishwasher to underside of countertop (in literature package).
  • Two Phillips head, color matched toekick screws (in literature package).

How To Install Frigidaire Dishwasher Step-By-Step

Step1. Check door balance

To check the door balance:

1. Hold the top of the dishwasher firmly.

2. Open the door slowly, if the door drops when released, increase spring tension.

If the door closes when released, decrease tension.

3. Pull the spring adjustment pinout of the holes, insert in the next highest or lowest hole, and test again.

4. Adjust both door springs to the same tension.

5. Continue moving the spring pin until the door is balanced.

Step2. Adjust leveling legs

1. Move the dishwasher close to the installation location and lay it on its back.

2. Measure installation height and dishwasher height.

3. Extend leveling legs out from the dishwasher base, 1/4″ less than installation height.

Step3. Remove toekick

1. Remove the 4 toekick screws.

2. Lift off the 2 piece toekick.

Step4. Install 90° elbow

1.  Wrap 90° elbow with thread seal tape.

2. Install a 90° elbow onto the water valve.

• Do not over tighten 90° elbow, water valve bracket could bend or water valve fitting could break.

3. Position the end of the elbow to face the rear of the dishwasher.

Step5. Position water line and house wiring

• Position the water supply line and house wiring on the floor of the opening to avoid interference with the base of the dishwasher and components under the dishwasher.

Step6. Insert drain hose through cabinet

1. Insert drain hose into cabinet wall hole. If a power cord is used, guide the end through a separate hole.

TIP: Position the waterline and house wiring on the floor to avoid interference with the base of the dishwasher.

Step7. Slide dishwasher partially into cabinet

1. Slide the dishwasher into the opening a few inches at a time.

2. As you proceed, pull the drain hose through the opening under the sink. Stop pushing when the dishwasher is a few inches forward of adjacent cabinetry.

3. Make sure the drain hose is not kinked under the dishwasher and there is no interference with the waterline and wiring or any other component.

  • Do not push against front panel with knees. damage will occur.

Step8. Position dishwasher under countertop

1. Check to be sure that wires are secure under the dishwasher and not pinched or in contact with door springs or other dishwasher components.

TIP: Check tub insulation blanket, if equipped. It should be positioned so it is not bunched up or interfering with door springs. Check by opening and closing the door.

2. Push dishwasher into cabinet. The front corners of the dishwasher door should be flush with cabinet doors.

  • Be careful not to dent front panels with knees or damage countertop or cabinets with dishwasher parts.
  • Reposition Dishwasher by Grasping Both Sides With Hands.

Step9. Level Frigidaire dishwasher

The dishwasher must be level for proper dish rack operation and wash performance.

1. Place a level on the door and rack track inside the tub to check that the dishwasher is level.

  • Check Level Front to Back.
  • Check Level Side To Side.

2. Level the dishwasher by adjusting the four leveling legs individually.

TIP: Pull the lower rack out, about halfway. Check to be sure the rack does not roll forward or back into the dishwasher.

  • If the rack rolls in either direction, the dishwasher must be leveled again.
  • If door hits the tub, the dishwasher is not installed correctly. Adjust leveling legs to align door to tub.

Step10. Secure frigidaire dishwasher to countertop or cabinet

In this step, you will need the 2 Phillips special head screws set aside prior to Step 1.

The dishwasher must be secured to the countertop or the cabinet sides. When countertops are made of wood, use Method 1.

When countertops are granite or other materials that will not accept screws, use Method 2 to secure the dishwasher at the sides.

Drive Screws straight and flush. Protruding screw heads will scratch the top or sides of the control panel and can interfere with the door closing.

Method 1: Secure dishwasher to Wood Countertop.

1. Fasten the dishwasher to the underside of the countertop with the 2 Phillips special head screws provided.

Method 2: Secure dishwasher with side-mounting brackets.

1. Remove plug buttons (one on each side).

2. Install screws through the dishwasher side mount bracket and into the adjacent cabinet on each side. Reinstall plug buttons.

3. When a step is complete, close the dishwasher door and verify that gap between the countertop and the top of the dishwasher door is at least 1/2″.

Step11. Connect water supply

1. Connect water supply to 90° elbow.

2. Slide compression nut, then ferrule over end of water line.

3. Insert water line into 90° elbow.

4. Slide ferrule against elbow and secure with compression nut.

  • Check to be sure that door spring does not rub or contact the fill hose or water supply line.
  • Test by opening and closing the door.
  • Re-route the lines if a rubbing noise or interference occurs.

Step12. Connect drain line

The drain hose molded end will fit 5/8”, 3/4”, or 1” diameter connections on the air gap, waste tee, or disposer. Cut on the marked line as required for your installation.

1. If a longer drain hose is required, add up to 42” of length for a total of 10 ft. to the factory-installed hose.

2. Use a 5/8” or 7/8” inside diameter hose and a coupler to connect the two hose ends.

3. Secure the connection with hose clamps.

4. Secure the drain hose to the air gap, waste tee, or disposer with clamps.

Note: total drain hose length must not exceed 10 feet for proper drain operation.

Drain line installation

Connect drain line to the air gap, waste tee, or disposer using either previously determined method.

Method 1 – Air gap with waste tee or disposer.

Method 2 – High drain loop with waste tee or disposer.

When connecting the drain line to the disposer, check to be sure that drain plug has been removed. the dishwasher will not drain if the plug is left in place.

TIP: Avoid unnecessary service call charges. Always be sure the disposer drain plug has been removed before attaching the dishwasher drain hose to the disposer.

Step13. Connect power supply

Skip this step if equipped with a power cord. Verify that power is turned off at the source.

1. Remove junction box cover.

2. Locate the three dishwasher wires, (white, black, and green) with stripped ends. Insert dishwasher wires through the small hole in the junction box.

3. Secure house wiring to the bottom of the junction box with strain relief.

4. User wire nuts to connect incoming ground to green, white to white, and black to black.

5. Replace junction box cover.

6. Check to be sure that wires are not pinched under the cover.

Step14. Pre-test checklist

1. Check to be sure power is OFF.

2. Open the door and remove all foam and paper packaging.

3. Locate the Owner’s Manual in the literature package.

4. Check door opening and closing. If the door does not open and close freely or tends to fall, check spring adjustments. See Step 1.

5. Check to be sure that wiring is secure under the dishwasher, not pinched, or in contact with door springs or other components. See Step 9.

6. Check door alignment with tub. If the door hits the tub, level the dishwasher. See Step 10.

7. Pull the lower rack out, about halfway. Check to be sure it does not roll back or forward on the door. If the rack moves, adjust leveling legs. See Step 10.

8. Check door alignment with cabinet. If the door hits the cabinet, reposition or relevel the dishwasher. See Step 10.

9. Verify water supply and drain lines are not kinked or in contact with other components. Contact with motor or dishwasher frame could cause noise. See Step 8.

10. Turn on the sink hot water faucet and verify water temperature. Incoming water temperature must be between 120°F and 150°F. A minimum of 120°F temperature is required for best wash performance.

11. Add 2 quarts of water to the bottom of the dishwasher to lubricate the pump seal.

12. Turn on the water supply. Check for leaks. Tighten connections if needed.

13. Remove protective film if present from the control panel and door.

Step15. Frigidaire dishwasher wet test

1. Turn on the power supply (or plug the power cord into an outlet, if equipped).

2. Turn the dial to the Normal “Wash” position.

3. Close the door.

4. Check to be sure that water enters the dishwasher. If water does not enter the dishwasher, check to be sure that water and power are turned on.

5. Check for leaks under the dishwasher. If a leak is found, turn the power supply off, then tighten connections.

  • Restore power after leak is corrected.

6. Check for leaks around the door. A leak around the door could be caused by door rubbing or hitting against adjacent cabinetry.

  • Reposition the dishwasher if necessary. See Step 9.

7. The dishwasher will drain and turn off about 5 to 7 minutes after the first fill. Check drain lines.

If leaks are found, turn the power off at the breaker and correct plumbing as necessary. Restore power after corrections are made. See Step 12.

8. Open the dishwasher door and make sure most of the water has drained.

If not, check that the disposer plug has been removed and/or the air gap is not plugged. See Step 13.

  • Also check drain line for kinking.

9. Run the dishwasher through another fill and drain cycle. Check for leaks and correct if required.

10. At the end of the drain, open the door and turn the dial to the OFF position.

Step16. Replace toekick

1. Place a 2-piece toekick against the legs of the dishwasher.

2. Place the inner toekick piece (with slots) against the toekick bracket.

The slots should align with toekick bracket screw holes. Allow the toekick to touch the floor.

3. Place a larger toekick over the inner piece and install 4 toekick screws.

4. Use additional 2 screws that are provided for installations over 33-1/2” high.

5. Use both toekick pieces for all installation heights.

How much space should be between countertop and dishwasher?

1. The rough cabinet opening must be at least 24” deep and 17-5/8” to 18” wide. The opening should be 32.5” max. height.

2. The dishwasher must be installed so that the drain hose is no more than 10 feet in length for proper drainage.

3. The dishwasher must be fully enclosed on the top, sides, and back, and must not support any part of the enclosure.

CLEARANCES: When installed into a corner, allow 2” min. clearance between dishwasher and adjacent cabinet, wall, or other appliances. Allow 25-5/8″ min.

clearance from the front of the dishwasher for door opening.

Note: ADA installation, (32-1/2”) beneath 34” high counter-tops may be accomplished by adjusting the toekick and leveling legs.

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Final tough

To install Frigidaire dishwasher it’s not an easy installation and process but if you follow the guide above step by step you’ll know how to install it easily without calling a professional which costs you extra cash so do it yourself and install your Frigidaire dishwasher by following the steps above.