First check to see if it's filling with enough water. A Bosch should fill water over the mesh filter and just under the handle in the round filter.

Second would be what cycle are you selecting? I suggest using Auto wash.

Next would be to check if the water is completely draining. When you remove the filter there should only be about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water in the bottom of the sump.

What detergent are you using? I found that the tabs recommended by Bosch really do work better.

Somethings got to be wrong - with the machine, the installation, the water or the detergent. I have a Bosch that cleans really well, and I have only cleaned the filter twice in 2 years, and run a citric cleaner once. I use Finish tabs (not Quantum).

J Freitas, we don't have any of the issues you mentioned. Our water hardness is 5-9 pm of calcium carbonate (CaC0); as I wrote above, it's very soft. That's why I've ruled that out as a potential culprit. Do you think using Lemi Shine would help even though our water is so soft?

Jakvis, what point of the cycle should I open and check water level?

We're using the Auto cycle with Sanitize (to help with drying). I selected the Heavy cycle once but it didn't add any time to the overall cycle so I don't think that would make a difference. When we first started using the machine, its run time was 2:44 for Auto + Sanitize but now it's never more than 2:30, even though I'm sure our dishes are just as dirty as they were in the beginning. I don't know if it's connected but it seems that the time was reduced after DH selected a different setting. Can't remember what it was or why he did it.

There's more than 1 cup of water left in the bottom of the sump (rubber bulb turkey baster has more than one use). I'm pretty sure that there's been more water than that left after past cycles, too. What does that mean? Does that point to an install issue?

We told our GC that it must be installed with a high loop and we checked it after install to see that it had been done correctly but how do we know if the high loop is high enough?

Salex and sjhockeyfan, I'd forgotten that after we used the Finish tabs that came with the machine, we switched back to Cascade since that's what we had left from our old DW. However, we didn't see any negative results after the switch. see any negative outcome. If it was due to not using the recommended Finish tabs, wouldn't the cleaning problems have shown up right after the switch? But it's worth switching again and seeing if that helps.

sj, I remember you telling me that you rarely cleaned your filter. I didn't start out cleaning it regularly for that reason but after we started having cleaning problems, I've been cleaning it out after every cycle.

J Freitas, nope, no rinsing of dishes beforehand. I had read that this was a no-no. Other than scraping leftovers off plates, we haven't rinsed dishes before putting them in the DW for years.

I received several tips from posters on the kitchen forum: check that the arms weren't clogged (someone posted a video showing us how to clean them); adding STPP to the detergent; make sure that the 2nd tray is locked into place before turning on the machine; running the water at the sink until it's very hot (been doing that for years) and running the disposal before running the DW.

I didn't say in my OP but the machine was installed 7/1. It gets nearly daily use. I never let the rinse aid run out (Jet-Dri).

Thank you, all! I'm going to try all the suggestions and if none of them does the trick, I'll get service in to look at the machine.

I know I posted on your thread in Kitchens, but reading this, it's EXACTLY what my experience was. We had the dishwasher for a couple of months, then it started cleaning really poorly, and food particles were getting stuck in the spray arms. I came here for advice, and the two pieces of advice I implemented were double-checking (and correcting) the high loop (we did not have it secured high enough) and making sure the filter was installed correctly. The latter was the source of most of our problem. I was certain I had the filter completely seated, but I didn't.

If you also have a garbage disposal, check the installation and make sure the drain line has a high loop installed. Even though Bosch has this included in the manufacturing, my installer says this should still be done. Otherwise, the suction from the pump of the dishwasher will pull muck out of your disposal and leave it on the dishes in the dishwasher.

In addition to checking the high loop, also check inside the air gap to make sure something isn't clogging up there.

alerievay1, I hope the fix are simple, too!

thekiserprince, we have a disposal and the drain is installed with a high loop (I posted this above, maybe you missed that info). I checked the install diagrams and it looks like the loop is installed correctly but now I'm wondering it it needs to be higher still. I may have to contact service to have this checked.

jwvideo, we aren't required to have air gaps so pretty hard to have one that is non-existent clog. =)

Lisa-a,

can post a picture of the under sink installation?

Hi, sorry I haven't responded sooner. We left town on Thursday for a long weekend. I'll take a pic tomorrow and post. Thanks for your help!

J, sorry I haven't answered sooner. (this is our busiest season) You will hear the D/W filling and when you here the water valve shut off open the door and take a look inside.(or just wait 10 minutes into the cycle) If your D/W is getting full water fill the water level should be just under or just touching the round filter handle.

Sorry for my delayed response, we were out of town and then busy with Thanksgiving.

Thanks, Jakvis, I'll check that next time we run it.

homepro, here's a pic of the DW's high loop connecting to the disposal. I appreciate you taking a look at this for me!

Still checking all the other tips provided. Thank you all so much!