LG Dishwasher: Upper Rack Falling
Quick answer: An upper rack that drops on one side, tilts when loaded, or slides all the way out and off its rails has lost the support of its adjusters or rollers.
- Unload the rack before inspecting it; a rack full of glassware can drop and shatter.
- Wear gloves when handling broken adjuster pieces and rail edges.
- Retrieve any broken plastic pieces from the tub floor so they do not reach the pump.
Why does my dishwasher upper rack keep falling?
An upper rack that drops on one side, tilts when loaded, or slides all the way out and off its rails has lost the support of its adjusters or rollers. The most likely causes are a broken height adjuster on one side of the rack, cracked or missing rack rollers, a lost end stop or rail clip that used to keep the rack on the track, and a loose or bent slide rail where it mounts to the tub.
Our fitment data covers 119 LG dishwasher models and 428 LG dishwasher parts, so the part links below are filtered to this brand; always confirm your model number before ordering.
Most Likely Causes, in Order
1. Rack height adjuster
Adjustable racks hang from a plastic adjuster on each side that locks into a set of teeth or slots. The lock tab wears or snaps, and that side of the rack drops to the lowest position or off the rail entirely.
How to check: Pull the rack out and compare the two sides. Press the release on each adjuster and move it up and down; it should click firmly into each position. A side that slides freely, sits crooked, or shows a snapped tab is the failed adjuster.
Fix: Replace the adjuster on the failed side, or both as a kit; they unclip from the rack wire and clip back on. (Difficulty: Easy)
No LG part for this cause is in our catalog yet; search by your model number.
2. Upper rack rollers
Small wheels on the adjuster or rack ride inside the slide rails. Cracked or missing wheels let the rack sit low in the rail and jump off when pulled out.
How to check: Look at each wheel on the adjusters and at the back corners of the rack. Spin them; they should turn freely and not wobble. Count them against the opposite side to spot a missing wheel.
Fix: Snap new rollers onto the adjuster or rack studs. (Difficulty: Easy)
No LG part for this cause is in our catalog yet; search by your model number.
3. Rail end stop and clip
A small plastic stop at the front of each rail keeps the rack from rolling off. When it breaks or is lost during cleaning, the rack comes all the way out and drops onto the door.
How to check: Slide the rack out slowly and watch the front of each rail. There should be a tab or cap that the wheels bump against. If the rack rolls right off, or one side has a stop and the other does not, the stop is missing.
Fix: Install new rail stops or clips; they press or screw onto the end of the rail. (Difficulty: Easy)
No LG part for this cause is in our catalog yet; search by your model number.
4. Slide rail and tub bracket
Each rail is screwed or clipped to the tub wall. A stripped screw, a broken bracket or a bent rail lets the whole rail sag, so the rack drops on that side regardless of the adjusters.
How to check: Remove the rack and grip each rail. It should not move up, down or sideways. Sight along the rail for a bend and check that the mounting screws or clips are tight and the plastic bracket is not cracked.
Fix: Tighten the mounting hardware, or replace the slide rail or bracket if it is bent or broken. (Difficulty: Moderate)
No LG part for this cause is in our catalog yet; search by your model number.
Popular LG dishwasher models
Confirm the model number on the rating plate before ordering. Each model page lists every compatible part.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my upper rack fall on only one side?
One-sided drop means the adjuster, roller or rail on that side has failed while the other is fine. Compare both sides and replace the failed adjuster or wheel; the other side usually needs replacing soon too.
Can a falling upper rack damage the dishwasher?
Yes. A tilted rack can block the middle spray arm, break glassware onto the heating element, and drop plastic bits into the sump where they jam the pump.
Do I need to replace the whole upper rack?
Rarely. Adjusters, rollers and stops are sold separately and clip on in minutes. Replace the rack only if the wire frame itself is rusted or broken.
When to Call a Professional
A technician is seldom needed for the upper rack. Call one only if the rail mounting points in the tub wall are cracked or stripped, since that repair may involve sealing the tub.