Why Is My Whirlpool Dishwasher Not Filling With Water
There are a few common causes that would result in your dishwasher not filling with water correctly. One of the most frequent is a malfunctioning inlet valve. You can experience a variety of problems if the inlet valve does not properly control how much clean water gets into the unit. If your inlet valve is the source of the problem, then youll likely need to replace it.
If your inlet valve is not the issue, you might want to try the following ideas:
- Check your float. The float tells the dishwasher when to stop filling with water so it doesnt overflow. A stuck or blocked float can keep water out of the dishwasher. Youll typically see the float in the bottom right of your dishwasher. Adjust the float so it moves up and down correctly.
- Assess that your disposal inlet is in the right place. The disposal inlet should be at least 20 inches up. If your hose was not installed correctly, you probably want to get it adjusted by a plumber or related expert.
- See if you have a clog in the water supply line. You can also experience a clog due to food debris in the water supply line. To check for this, turn off the water supply and remove the valve on the back of the machine to look for signs of obstructions. Keep the valve clean by scrubbing it with baking powder and water.
Whirlpool Dishwasher Stops Working Mid
This problem is often confused with the dishwasher not completing cycle issue we tackled earlier. The difference is that when a dishwasher stops working mid-cycle, it may shut off completely instead of merely leaving you with dirty, unrinsed, or undried dishes, as is the case with a dishwasher failing to do a full cycle.
If your dishwasher keeps shutting off mid-cycle, first try the following basic troubleshooting hacks:
- Open the door and close it again to ensure its latched.
- Check whether the dishwasher has water leaks or faulty plugs and cords that may be causing it to trip the circuit breaker. A tripped circuit breaker usually cuts off the power supply to the appliance, suddenly stopping any cycle that may be running.
- If your units power supply is controlled by a light switch on a wall, check to ensure its switched on.
If these basic hacks dont cut it, the problem could be any of the following:
- A broken door latch
- A faulty pump and motor assembly
- A blown bi-thermal fuse
- An issue with the power supply control board
- A malfunctioning high-limit thermostat
- A clogged/faulty circulation pump
- Food particles in the chopper blade area
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on 2021-02-02.
Your Whirlpool Dishwasher Has A Defective Timer
Your Whirlpool dishwasher has a timer for a reason. Its the one piece of technology that determines in what order power flows to different items in a given wash cycle.
The dishwasher cant fill with enough water if the timer isnt working as expected. And it might stop working altogether.
Solution: Make sure that the timer works as expected. You should check the voltage on the wire attached to the timer module to be sure its getting enough power.
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A Faulty Circulation Pump
To determine if the wash motor is the culprit, pull your dishwasher out of its countertop compartment and listen for clicking sounds in the area behind the lower kick plate/access panel. If you hear such sounds, you can almost be sure that the motor is the problem and needs replacement.
You can either call an expert to repair or do it yourself. Should you choose the DIY route, heres a video to guide you:
How To Prevent Whirlpool Dishwasher Breakdowns

Whether youre wondering why your fridge wont get cold or trying to figure out what has made your dishwasher stop working, theres usually a good explanation.
You need to keep it clean.
When it comes to your dishwasher, there are 4 regular checks you can do to ensure you dont have to go through the stress of a reset.
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Debris In The Spray Arm
Without a doubt the most common reason for the spray arm being unable to move is debris. Over time, food and other debris can gather in the various components of your dishwasher. That includes the dishwasher spray arm.
To remedy the situation, you will have to take out the lower rack of the dishwasher to access the spray arm. Try turning the spray arm by hand to see if it moves freely. If it doesnt, then you will need to fix the issue.
Unbolt or unscrew any of the hardware that holds the arm in place. With the spray arm removed, clean out any of the debris that you can see in both the mounting area and the spray holes. More often than not, rinsing them under the sink will do fine but you may also need to use a screwdriver to get down into the area that you need.
Disabling The Control Lock
You might have to disable the sleep mode by pressing either the start or resume button or the cancel button separately. You can also disable sleep mode by opening and then closing the door prior to hitting the cancel button.
When you press and hold the lock button for four seconds, it should turn the control lock feature off. You should notice that the light indicating the lock light will turn off. For more information about this feature, consult the user manual.
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Dishwasher Wont Turn On 10 Steps To Fix It
Often there is a simple solution for a dishwasher not turning on, such as a loose wire. Other causes can be diagnosed with a multimeter and easily fixed by replacing the part.
To order a replacement part, you will need to know your dishwasher model. Consult your manual, or sometimes you will find model information on the exterior sides of the dishwasher or inside the dishwasher door.
Pro Tip: If taking the dishwasher apart, wear gloves to protect yourself from cuts, as the metal can be sharp.
Remember to unplug your dishwasher or switch off its power from inside your electrical panel before checking electrical components.
My Whirlpool Dishwasher Is Leaking
Have you noticed water seeping out of your dishwasher while its running, or is there a puddle on the floor at the end of each cycle? If your dishwasher is leaking, here are some common causes and solutions:
- Adjust or replace the water inlet valve: the inlet valve allows water to enter the unit. If the valve is stuck in an open position, water will continue to flow into the dishwasher, causing a leak. Check the position of the valve and adjust it if it is stuck. If the valve is faulty, youll need to replace it.
- Replace the wash arms: if you have a damaged or broken wash arm, this can cause water to bounce off the arms and hurtle towards the door. Inspect the wash arms and keep an eye out for cracks and splinters. If the arm is damaged, its best to replace it. If the arm is intact, check that the support is secure. If the support is loose, this can cause excessive water spray.
- Check the door seal: damage to the door seal can allow water to flow out of the dishwasher. If the seal is cracked, or there are gaps, replace the seal as soon as possible.
If your dishwasher is leaking, you may find this video useful:
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The Main Control Board
The purpose of the main control board on your dishwasher is to provide power to just about all of the components within the entire dishwasher. When the control board goes bad or stops functioning properly, those components cant get the power that they need, and they stop working properly.
One of the major issues when the control board goes bad is that it might not be able to send the proper voltage to the components that will start the dishwasher. More often than not, the main control board tends to get misdiagnosed. If you think that there may be issues with your dishwasher, check with one of the more commonly defective parts before moving to replace the control board.
Troubleshooting Your Whirlpool Dishwasher
When it comes to Whirlpool dishwasher troubleshooting, it can be quite difficult to know whats stopping your machine from working as it should.
Plus, if your defective dishwasher has left you with a kitchen full of dirty plates and bowls, it can be even more stressful. But, with our simple guide, you can kiss those troubles goodbye.
Sometimes, when your machine packs up, its not always the case that you need to call out the repair guy. A lot of common issues can be fixed by listening to the mantra of every IT department ever try turning it off and back on again.
However, if youre unfamiliar with the Whirlpool brand or youve never had to perform diagnostics on your machine before, it can be a little daunting. But dont panic.
In this blog, well take you through the most common ways to reset your Whirlpool dishwasher to bring it back on-side again. Plus, we’ll also be mentioning some general care points that will reduce the number of resets you have to conduct.
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Test The Door Latch Switch
Remove the inner door panel to access the door latch assembly at the top of the door. Make sure the catch engages the door latch switch when it is inserted into the latch assembly. If all appears to work properly, use a multimeter to test the switches for continuity. With the multimeter set on Rx1, touch the probes to the switch terminals. The reading should be at or near zero. If your reading is different, replace the door latch assembly.
Searching For Whirlpool Dishwasher Reset Instructions

Every Whirlpool dishwasher comes with its own reset and troubleshooting instructions that help you fix your appliance if it stops working. And where do you find these instructions? The user manual, of course!
But if youre like me, you may have misplaced your user manual! Not to worry. You can simply refer to our good friend, Google.
Search for Whirlpool user manual and it will pop up in a second. Make sure to enter your model in place of , or it wont know what you need.
Screenshot of the Troubleshooting section from the user manual of a Whirlpool dishwasher.
Once youve found the user manual, follow the instructions. What if you dont know your dishwashers model number or it has faded from the body? Theres no cause for alarm.
Ive gathered all the basic methods you can follow to reset your Whirlpool dishwasher within minutes
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Check The User Interface Control Wiring
Many dishwashers have a user interface control in the control panel that connects to the electronic control board.
If the dishwasher still isnt getting power, check the user interface control wire harness. The control panel wont light up if the wire harness is disconnected.
- Shut off power to the dishwasher.
- Open the dishwasher door and remove the Torx screws from the outer edges of the inner door panel. So the outer door panel doesnt fall off, support it with one hand as you remove the final screws.
- Check the wire harness connection between the user interface control and the electronic control board.
If the user interface control wire harness is unplugged, reconnect it. Reassemble the dishwasher and restore power.
How To Reset Your Whirlpool Dishwasher
Your Whirlpool dishwasher in a jam again? Dont you hate it when that happens?
If this happens to you time and again, you might be thinking of swapping out the old washer for a new and upgraded model.
Let me stop you right here.
If you have a Whirlpool dishwasher that coughs up a little every week or two, I can give you some basic guidelines on how to reset your Whirlpool dishwasher within minutes.
Try to reset the Whirlpool dishwasher, hold down on the start/reset button for 10 seconds. If that doesnt work, try a hard reset by unplugging the Whirlpool dishwasher for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Lastly, you can try activating diagnostic mode .
If neither of those have worked, then keep reading for more details on resetting your specific model. Lets get that Whirlpool dishwasher whirling again.
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Faulty Whirlpool Dishwasher Parts
If the above tips dont do the trick, a faulty part may be responsible for your Whirlpool dishwasher not starting.
The following part failures can prevent an immediate start:
- Thermal fuse: The thermal fuse will blow if its defective or if the dishwasher is in danger of overheating. If the fuse fails multimeter testing, it has blown and requires replacement for the dishwasher to start.
- Main control board: This computerized board governs all dishwasher operations, sending voltage to the appropriate functions when it receives a signal from the control panel. If it malfunctions, the control board wont provide the power needed to start the dishwasher and must be professionally replaced.
- Timer: Like the control board, the timer governs the voltage to certain functions at certain times. If the timer is faulty, the dishwasher may not receive power to start and must be replaced by a professional service.
Whether you need a dishwasher repair or some dishwasher maintenance tips, our experts can help! Contact Sharper Service Solutions for all your kitchen appliance needs!
The Whirlpool Dishwasher Wont Turn On
The door switch prevents the dishwasher from running without the proper door seal.
If the door interlock switch is defective, it will prevent the dishwasher from starting even when the door is closed/sealed properly.
To determine if the door interlock switch is at fault, use a multimeter to test for continuity of continuity between two wires in.
The control panel that is associated with this issue . If the switches do not have continuity replace them.
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Check The Touchpad Or Buttons
A fault with your dishwasher controls is most commonly found when some buttons work but others dont. Make sure the dishwasher is disconnected from the power before proceeding.
- The touch pad is usually part of the control panel. Check the connection between the touchpad and the control board.
- Look for any signs of corrosion and clean with a soft pencil eraser.
- Dishwashers with mechanical selector switches can be tested for continuity with a multimeter. Referring to the wiring diagram will help with this test.
Why Is My Whirlpool Dishwasher Door Leaking
There is a rubber seal around your dishwasher door. This seal creates a watertight environment that keeps the water inside the appliance.
Over time, this seal can begin to break down from normal wear and tear and start to leak. If you notice water leaking from your dishwasher door, youll want to inspect this seal carefully. Replace the seal to keep water from leaking out if you find evidence of cracking or damage.
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There Is A Delayed Wash Scheduled
You can schedule a time in the future when your Whirlpool dishwasher will start the wash by pressing the delay button. Its possible someone scheduled a wash for some reason, or someone pressed the button by mistake. When its set to start in say an hour it wont let you start it before then unless you clear the scheduled wash.
To do that simply press the cancel/drain button. Then press start again and it should work.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on 2021-07-03.
Consider A Cinch Appliances Plan For Your Dishwasher

We know how important your dishwasher is in your daily life and how disruptive it can be if the appliance does not work correctly. If something goes wrong with your Whirlpool dishwasher, ensure you can quickly access a professional to repair or replace it.
In addition to familiarizing yourself with important information about fixing routine problems that can happen with your dishwasher, you can also turn to the security of a home warranty. A Cinch Appliances plan can cover dishwasher repairs required due to normal wear and tear. If something goes wrong with your dishwasher, a vetted technician can help you solve the problem quickly.
Experience the relief that comes with knowing your important appliances are protected. Reach out for an instant quote!
Your Whirlpool dishwasher may experience problems or malfunctioning parts because of wear and tear. Here is what you need to know.
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Dishwasher Door Latch Malfunction
Your dishwasher wont start if the dishwasher door isnt securely closed and latched. Always close the door firmly, without slamming, to ensure that the latch is engaged. A Whirlpool dishwasher not starting even with a properly closed door may have a latch malfunction. If the latch is damaged or shows a lack of continuity with multimeter testing, it must be replaced.
Why Is The Whirlpool Dishwasher Spray Arm Not Spinning
Like any of the other components within a dishwasher, the dishwasher spray arm can wear down over time. Most of the time, this is due to continuous use. Other times, there are issues that can be otherwise corrected.
Here are some of the most common reasons why yourWhirlpool dishwashers spray arm may not be moving freely.
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Whirlpool Dishwasher Not Turning On
Categories Dishwasher, Home and Kitchen, Whirlpool Dishwasher
Ive been using my Whirlpool dishwasher without any issues but I went to use it today, and it wouldnt start. I wanted to know how to get it working again. Based on my extensive research, heres how to get it to work.
Start by checking the control lock isnt on. It will show a white light above the control lock button to indicate that its on. When its enabled none of the buttons work. If its not that, then double check the door is completely closed.
Also, try pressing the cancel/drain button to clear a delayed wash. If its still not working after that, then you should reset your Whirlpool dishwasher by turning it off at the wall or at the switchboard. Then turn it on again after 1 minute.
In this article, I will explain how to get a Whirlpool dishwasher working again if its not showing any lights, or if the lights flash but it wont start.