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Why Is My Whirlpool Dishwasher Not Working

Dishwasher Has No Lights Or Not Responding

Whirlpool Dishwasher Buttons Not Working? Repair #W10380381

If your dishwasher is not responding or has no lights, check for the problem of the thermal fuse. When the thermal fuse is burned out on the control board, the appliance doesn’t respond. If the thermal fuse is burnt, you need to buy a new thermal fuse and install it. To replace, you should unplug the dishwasher from the power outlet and turn off the power supply. Remove the screws and close the door.

Now, you have to remove the cover on the fuse. After that, disconnect the wires with a screwdriver. Next, cut off the terminal block and remove the tape which holds the wire. Place the new thermal fuse and re-tape the wires. Reassemble the fuse on the control board and appliance.

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Check The Drain For Clogs

Dishwasher drains can become clogged. Many homes have the dishwasher set up to drain in the same space as the garbage disposal. This overlap means that a clog in the garbage disposal can also impact the dishwasher drain line and cause standing water to accumulate in the appliance.

If you believe there is a clog, you can check the dishwasher drain hose by following these steps:

  • Carefully disconnect the drain hose from where it connects to the garbage disposal or sink.
  • Put one end into a bucket to avoid a mess.
  • Once you have one end safely in a bucket, fill the dishwasher and drain it.
  • Watch the water as it comes out.
  • In some situations, this will encourage the clog to come out on its own.
  • Reattach your hose and run the appliance normally.

If the water trickles out, you might have a clog thats not easily dislodged. In this situation, carefully pull the dishwasher out from the wall so you can disconnect the drain hose completely.

Remember that water will likely leak from the appliance when you do this. Put a pan underneath to prevent water from getting on the floor. Once disconnected, youll be able to tell if the clog is one you can reach to clean out. You might have to replace the hose if it is damaged.

Vent And Fan Assembly

A vent at the bottom of your dishwasher opens to allow a fan to suction moisture. If the fan fails, your dishwasher may stop mid-cycle:

  • If your dishes werent drying properly before it stopped mid-cycle, that might be a clue that the dishwashers vent and fan assembly was starting to malfunction.
  • If either the fan or vent fails, you should replace the entire assembly.

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Question: What Is The Most Common Problem With Whirlpool Dishwashers

Answer: There are five problems with Whirlpool dishwashers that happen in equal proportion for the most part. Your dishwasher isnt drying your dishes. Your dishwasher isnt draining the excess water. Your dishwasher isnt responding to your commands. Your dishwasher isnt cleaning dishes on the top rack. Your dishwasher isnt cleaning dishes on the bottom rack or silverware tray.

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What To Do When Your Whirlpool Dishwasher Leaves Dishes Wet

Why Is My Whirlpool Dishwasher Not Drying The Dishes?

Modern dishwashers effectively use different drying methods to ensure that water is removed after a wash cycle ends. Most are so proficient that often simple changes to your use and care can improve performance when your Whirlpool dishwasher leaves dishes wet. Heres what you can do to optimize drying and minimize lingering moisture.

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How Do You Reset The Heating Element On A Whirlpool Dishwasher

If your Whirlpool dishwasher isnt heating properly, you may need to reset the heating element. To do this, first make sure that the dishwasher is turned off and unplugged. Next, locate the heating element on the back of the dishwasher. There will be two screws holding it in place. Remove these screws and carefully pull out the heating element.

Once you have removed the heating element, you will need to find the reset button. This button is usually located on the control panel. Press and hold the reset button for three seconds. After that, plug the dishwasher back in and turn it on. The heating element should now be reset and working properly.

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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Connect With An Appliance Repair Tech

No in-home service calls. No appointments.

However, sometimes users find that replacing parts is not necessary for this problem. Instead, some users find that removing the motor and cleaning it out will solve the problem.

The reason for this is that junk can build up around the motor over time.

Just make sure if you do this that you replace the motor in the same position as before and connect the wires properly.

How Do I Test A Whirlpool Dishwasher Control Board

Whirlpool Dishwasher not Draining

To determine if the control or keypad is faulty, do the following test:

  • Unplug dishwasher or disconnect power.
  • Open the dishwasher door.
  • Plug in dishwasher or reconnect power.
  • Wait 5 seconds.
  • Why is my Whirlpool dishwasher not drying dishes?

    Also, try turning the fan blade by hand to ensure that it spins freely. If the fan motor has burned out or the fan blade wont turn smoothly, replace the vent fan motor. Some dishwashers use a heating element to heat the dishwasher during the drying cycle.

    Is there a repair clinic for a Whirlpool dishwasher?

    Or maybe its making a weird sound. There are a few Whirlpool dishwasher problems you can fix yourself, even without buying parts . And even if you do have to buy a part or two, Repair Clinic will help you replace them so you dont have to call in the expert.

    When to release the door on a Whirlpool dishwasher?

    In this situation, the presence of drops of water on dishes and on the sides of the dishwasher is normal. Try releasing the door 5 minutes before removing the dishes. Incorrect arrangement of the concave items in the rack.

    Why is my Whirlpool dishwasher making a weird sound?

    Maybe its not draining water after the wash cycle. Or maybe its making a weird sound. There are a few Whirlpool dishwasher problems you can fix yourself, even without buying parts .

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    When To Seek Help If Your Dishwasher Isnt Working

    Before you call in the experts, its a great idea to go through the steps listed above and see if you can spot a visible defect or identify a possible underlying cause. In most cases, you can carry out running repairs or buy new parts to fix your dishwasher. To order parts, check your model number. You can enter the model number to find compatible components.

    If youve tried everything, and your dishwasher is still leaking, or its not running normally, dont hesitate to seek help.

    Things To Do To Aid In Drying

    There are also a few things that you can do to ensure your dishes come out dry and clean. For one, unloading in the wrong order can lead to dishes remaining wet even after a full washer cycle.

    Keep in mind that these techniques will only go so far. If you have a damaged component, for instance, those will need to be replaced in short order. Drying aids can really only go so far in their effectiveness. Using loading and unloading best practices is the surest way to go. They work to ensure that the heating cycle does its job and that you dont have to contend with wet dishes upon completion.

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    Consult Your User Manual

    If turning the power off and on didnt work, the next step is to find the user manual for your specific model of Whirlpool dishwasher. If you dont have a physical copy, you should be able to find an online version by simply Googling Whirlpool Dishwasher .

    Each different model has its own reset instructions, so if you find the user manual, you should check it for how to reset your dishwasher. If you cant find your manual or if the method doesnt work, start going through the next steps in this guide, which will cover all of the most common ways to reset a Whirlpool dishwasher.

    Resetting The Control Board

    Here Is Why Whirlpool Dishwasher Not Drying Dishes

    Sometimes, the control board of your Whirlpool dishwasher needs a reboot to function properly. It can develop problems due to an electrical outage or power surge.

    Heres what you do:

    • Press the Off button on the dishwasher. Then remove its power cable.
    • Wait 5 minutes, and then plug in the cable again. Turn on your dishwasher and select the Pots & Pans or High setting from the control panel.

    If this doesnt reset your Whirlpool dishwasher, you can try the next method.

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    Faulty Water Inlet Valve

    Another possible reason for a Whirlpool dishwasher not filling with enough water is an issue with the inlet valve. This valve controls the flow of water, so if its not working properly, the dishwasher wont be able to fill up. Are you wondering how do you unclog a water inlet valve?. If you suspect a problem with the water inlet valve, call a professional appliance repair technician to diagnose and repair the faulty water inlet valve.

    How Much Does It Cost To Replace The Heating Element In A Dishwasher

    A new heating element will cost between $100 and $300, says Imani Francies, a home maintenance expert with Clearsurance . In the UK, expect to pay from around £95 to £140, according to the experts at Checkatrade .

    You might want to weigh up whether repair or replacement is the best option. Consumer Reports states that about 30 per cent of new dishwashers need a repair within their first five years of use, says Zac Houghton. Rather than attempting to repair a dishwasher a decade old, you might consider replacing it.

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    Vent Fan Motor Issues

    This is another reason why your dishwasher may not be drying dishes properly. Some Whirlpool dishwashers use a vent fan motor to facilitate a faster drying process at the end of the appliances cycle.

    You can test the motor for continuity to see whether this is affecting your dishwasher. You may also want to try turning the fan blades by hand to see if they spin freely afterward. You may need to replace the vent fan motor if the motor has stopped working completely or the fan blades arent turning smoothly on their own.

    Why Is My Whirlpool Dishwasher Detergent Cup Not Working

    How to repair a dishwasher, not draining – troubleshoot Whirlpool

    Your dishwasher detergent cup has to open at the correct point in the cleaning cycle to make sure soap properly releases to wash the dishes.

    If your detergent cup is not working, you might see signs like:

    • The soap cup is still closed at the end of the cycle.
    • Soap is still lodged inside the open drawer when the cycle is over.
    • The soap is in a clump on the bottom of the dishwasher.

    To fix this problem, check these features:

    • Make sure that nothing prevents the cup from opening. For example, see if you have residue on the lid that makes it hard to open.
    • Look at the placement of your dishes. Verify that no large pots or pans block the lid from opening.
    • Arrange your dishes so the sprayer arm can reach the soap dispenser. The spraying arm cannot spray the soap to dissolve into the water if it does not reach correctly.
    • Check the spring on the dishwasher lid. Make sure it clicks closed and will not open on its own prematurely.
    • Verify that you did not overload the detergent cup. Filling it with too much soap can cause soap to leach around the clasp and make the top stick shut.
    • Make sure your dishwasher gets hot enough. The dishwasher cant dissolve the soap as expected if it doesnt have hot water.

    Follow your manufacturers guidelines to keep the detergent cup working long term.

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    How To Put It In Diagnostic Mode Then What To Do

  • Press three buttons one after another except for the power button.
  • Press the same three buttons in the same sequence.
  • Again, press the same three buttons in the same sequence.
  • Some of the lights will be lit up.
  • It is now in diagnostic mode.
  • It will check each of the components for errors one by one.
  • After it has finished it will display the error code on the screen. There is a panel at the front of your dishwasher that will come off if you pry it open with your hands. And inside that space is a sheet of paper that will tell you what all the error codes mean.

    Then depending on what the error code is you can do the corresponding repair for it. For example, it may not necessarily be the heating element that is broken.

    But, the only way you can know is to run it in diagnostic mode. A full list of all the error codes is also available online on the official Whirlpool website here.

    Dishwasher Wont Turn On

    • Check if the control lock is on. If it is ON, your unit doesn’t start the action even after pressing the start button. Unlock the control lock by the press and hold the lock button for a minimum of 4 seconds.
    • Next, inspect the sleep mode is ON. You can deactivate the sleep mode by deactivating the control lock.
    • See if the Whirlpool dishwasher door is not closed correctly. Ensure the door is closed firmly.
    • Verify whether there is water supply turned on or not.

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    Review The Dishwasher Check Valve

    The check valve prevents dirty water that drains out of the dishwasher from coming back into the appliance. If water did come back into the appliance, it would not be cleaning dishes effectively. If this valve gets stuck, it could disrupt the dishwashers drainage altogether.

    Youll find the check valve underneath the dishwasher, near where the drain hose connects. Remove the drain hose from the dishwasher to see if you have any problems with this valve. Then check if the valve is clean and functions properly .

    Consider a repair or replacement part if your check valve is not working as it should. With a Cinch Home Services warranty, you can have peace of mind knowing that appliances like your dishwasher are covered from normal wear-and-tear damage, such as a broken check valve.

    Whirlpool Dishwasher Not Draining

    Why Is My Whirlpool Dishwasher Not Drying The Dishes?
    • Your dishwasher doesn’t drain properly if the impeller gets jammed by a broken piece of glass or the drain pump fails. A broken impeller prevents effective drainage.
    • When the drain pump is not working, the water will not move to the drain line through the impeller. If there is no possibility to repair, then you should replace the drain pump.
    • The drain solenoid is responsible to open the drain valve to trigger water flow from the appliance. So, when the drain valve is not opened, water may collect. So, buy a new drain solenoid kit and replace it.
    • Check for drain valves blocked. See if the valve has a build up of debris, clean it.
    • If no obstacles are found in the drain line, check the motor. It needs to be replaced if it is not running.

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    Heat Dry Has Not Been Selected

    In just about any troubleshooting situation, the simplest solution is often the right one. If your dishwasher does not seem to be performing the heat dry cycle, it may be as simple as you forgetting to click the heat dry option.

    Ensuring that this function has been selected before you run each cycle. By doing so, the heating element can be ready to go at the proper point in the cycle. Forgetting to press that heat dry button can leave your dishes far wetter at the end of the cycle.

    Why Does My Whirlpool Dishwasher Smell Bad

    Dishwashers do an excellent job of cleaning dishes. However, the food particles stuck to the plates, bowls, pots and pans still end up somewhere. These little pieces of food can get lodged inside the dishwasher if you dont clean out your appliance regularly. Over time, this food can begin to rot and grow bacteria, leading to a bad smell coming from your dishwasher.

    The best way to solve this problem is to give your dishwasher a good cleaning. Remove the bottom dish rack and clean out any food buildup trapped along the bottom or sides.

    You can also look at your manufacturers instructions to see how to use a screwdriver to uncover the dishwasher filters and clean them. Before taking the filters out, ensure you understand the filter assembly so you can put them back together. Getting rid of this grime can help eliminate foul odors.

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