3 Easy Ways to Reboot a KitchenAid Dishwasher

If your KitchenAid dishwasher isn’t starting or washing your dishes properly, it might be due for a reset. Luckily, resetting your dishwasher is super quick and easy. Simply disconnect the dishwasher from power for 1 minute and then reconnect it. If that doesn’t work, we’ll show you how to reset your dishwasher on the control panel. Keep reading to learn why your dishwasher might need to be reset and other troubleshooting tips if your machine still isn’t working!

KitchenAid Dishwasher Reset

Unplug your dishwasher from the outlet for 1 minute, then plug it back in.
Alternatively, push “Hi-temp” and “Dry” 5 times, wait 5 minutes, and then press “Cancel.”
If the dishwasher still isn’t working, ensure the lock and delay mode are disabled.

Section 1 of 5:

Resetting the Dishwasher Manually

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1
Unplug the dishwasher from the outlet for 1 to 5 minutes. Just like turning a computer on and off can work out bugs, disconnecting your dishwasher from power can fix it if it’s not responding to your controls. Just unplug the dishwasher from the outlet and leave it for 1 to 5 minutes to reset.^{[1]
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- It won’t hurt anything if you leave the dishwasher unplugged for a longer amount of time.
If your dishwasher is wired directly to the power source, simply turn off the breaker that powers the dishwasher.
2
Reconnect the dishwasher and check the control panel for errors. When the 1 to 5 minutes are up, plug the dishwasher back into the outlet or turn the breaker back on. Then, look at the display panel to see if there are any flashing lights or error codes. This tells you if there is a larger problem with your dishwasher.^{[2]
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- It might take your dishwasher 5 to 10 minutes to reset and run its diagnostics test.
- If an error code is on the display, look it up in your dishwasher’s user manual to see how to fix it.
- If there are no flashing lights or error codes, skip to the next step to give your dishwasher a test run.
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3
Run a test cycle to see if the problem is fixed. Press “Heat dry,” “Normal,” “Heat dry,” “Normal.” When the lights on the display illuminate, press “Start.” This takes your dishwasher through a test cycle so you can make sure everything is working as it should.^{[3]
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- If your dishwasher still isn’t working, reset the control panel using the instructions below.
- For some dishwashers, you press the first 3 buttons starting on the left side of the panel in a 1-2-3 sequence to start the test cycle. Repeat the 1-2-3 sequence 3 times and then press “Start” to trigger the cycle.
Tip: If there is an issue in the cycle process, a light will flash on the dishwasher door; the number of flashes is the error code. Look up the code online or in your user manual and continue troubleshooting.

Section 2 of 5:

Using the Control Panel to Reset Your Dishwasher

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1
Press the “Hi-temp” and “Dry” buttons 5 times. If disconnecting the dishwasher from power doesn’t fix your issue, reset the control panel. Just make sure the dishwasher’s door is completely closed and latched. Then, press the “Hi-temp scrub” and “Energy saver dry” buttons one after the other until you push each button 5 times.^{[4]
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- On some machines, the buttons are called “Hi-temp,” “Heated dry,” or another similar name. Just press the buttons that have the most similar functions.
- Some models reset after each button has been pushed 4 times instead of 5, but just go ahead and press each one 5 times.
- Note: Resetting the control panel gives the dishwasher’s computer a reboot, which often clears away any programming or user errors. If the problem is related to an actual broken part in the machine, though, it might not fix your dishwasher.
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Leave the dishwasher alone for 5 to 10 minutes to let it reset. After you push the reset sequence, the lights on the display panel illuminate and flash. You may also hear a whirring noise. Simply leave the dishwasher alone to give it time to run diagnostics and restart.^{[5]
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- It might take some dishwashers more than 5 to 10 minutes to reset. Just wait until you no longer see any flashing lights or hear any noises.
3
Press the “Cancel” button to finish the reset and test your machine. Pushing the “Cancel” or “Cancel/Drain” button triggers a 2-minute drain cycle. Simply let this cycle run its course before you open the dishwasher. Then, run a cycle to see if the reset fixed your issue.^{[6]
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- If the reset didn’t solve your dishwasher's problem, check out the troubleshooting section below to see what might be causing the issue. Or, call a professional dishwasher technician to diagnose the issue.

Section 3 of 5:

Resetting a Dishwashing Cycle

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Hold down the “Cancel/Drain” button. If you selected the wrong dishwashing cycle or chose a setting that you didn’t mean to, simply press and hold the “Cancel” or “Cancel/Drain” button. This stops the cycle and resets your dishwasher back to normal.^{[7]
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- After resetting the cycle, choose the settings you meant to select and start your dishwasher.

Section 4 of 5:

Troubleshooting if Your Dishwasher Still Isn’t Working

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Check if the control lock or child’s lock is engaged. When the lock function is selected, you can’t turn on the dishwasher. It can get accidentally selected, so take a quick look at the control panel to see if the “Control Lock” button is lit up.^{[8]
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- To turn off the control lock function, hold the “Lock” button down for 4 seconds.
- The control lock is a great function if you have kids who might want to open the dishwasher or push all the buttons.
2
Confirm that the “Delay” button is not selected. If your dishwasher’s control panel displays a countdown, you may have enabled the delay wash function. With this function, your dishwasher doesn’t start until the clock reaches the delay time.^{[9]
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- To cancel the delayed wash, press the “Cancel/Drain” button. Then, press “Start/Resume” to start a normal cycle.
- The delayed wash function comes in handy when you want to start your dishwasher at a specific time, like after you’re done using other water-heavy appliances.
Sleep mode helps your dishwasher conserve energy when it’s not in use, but this also means you can’t start your dishwasher when the mode is activated. To turn it off, either press and hold the “Start/Resume” or “Cancel/Drain” button, or open and close the door.^{[10]
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Check for error codes. If your dishwasher’s computer detects an error, it might not start until the error is fixed. Press the “Heat Dry,” “Hi-Temp Wash,” and “Sani Wash” buttons one after the other for a total of 3 times each. Then, close the door and count the number of times the light flashes on the front of the dishwasher to get the error code.^{[11]
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- Look up the error code in your dishwasher’s user manual, or look it up online. Then, fix the issue.
5
Make sure the dishwasher’s door is closed and latched. Sometimes a stray utensil or bottom rack that isn’t completely in place can keep the door from latching. Make sure that when you press the dishwasher door closed, you hear a clicking sound that lets you know the latch is properly in place.^{[12]
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- If there’s no obstruction preventing the latch from working, it’s possible it needs to be replaced. Take a look at the latch to see if it looks damaged or broken.
Warning: Never force the dishwasher door shut. It should close and latch with a light amount of pressure. You can damage the door or latch if you have to shove it to get it to close.
While this might be an obvious troubleshooting tip, life gets busy and you might have just forgotten to start the dishwasher. Make sure you press “Start/Resume” whenever you begin a cycle or open the dishwasher during a cycle.^{[13]
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Call a repair technician to fix more complex problems. If your dishwasher still isn’t working, a blown fuse, computer issue, broken part, or other complex problem may be at hand. Schedule a service appointment with a KitchenAid technician on KitchenAid’s website, or call a local appliance technician to get your dishwasher fixed.^{[14]
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- Repairs generally cost about $200.
- Get an appliance repair referral from a friend or look for a company online with good reviews.
Tip: Ask if the technician is willing to waive their “trip fee,” which is usually $50-$75, to lower the cost of the repair.

Section 5 of 5:

Reasons to Reset Your Dishwasher

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If your control panel is unresponsive or glitches when you choose a setting, it might not wash your dishes well or even start a dishwashing cycle. Luckily, resetting your dishwasher can reboot the computer and fix the control issues.^{[15]
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The dishwasher is displaying an error code. Sometimes, your dishwasher mistakenly displays an error when there isn’t actually one. Resetting your dishwasher can clear away the false error and fix any dishwasher issues you were experiencing.^{[16]
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- If you still get an error after resetting your dishwasher, the code is likely real. Search for the error code online or in your user manual to find out how to fix it.
- You might need to reset your dishwasher after fixing an error code issue too, such as correcting a drainage problem.
Losing power or receiving too much power can cause your dishwasher to malfunction. Disconnecting your dishwasher from power can reset the connection and get it working correctly.^{[17]
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How can I know what method works for my model?

Homer Flores
Appliance Repair Specialist
Homer Flores is an Appliance Repair Specialist and Training Manager at PreFix, a home maintenance company out of Austin, Texas. With over 15 years of experience, Homer specializes in home improvement, remodeling, and construction. Homer’s dedication to the PreFix mission of providing hassle-free one-stop-shop service for home care, in addition to their completion of the Capital Factory and Techstars Accelerators, has contributed to their growth of service to over 50 zip codes throughout the greater Austin area.

Homer Flores

Appliance Repair Specialist

Expert Answer

The best way to determine this is to locate the technical spec sheet located behind the toe kick plate and follow the specific steps from the manufacturer.

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If the dishwasher’s display panel works but some of the buttons don’t, the entire touchpad might need to be replaced.

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If you misplaced your dishwasher’s user manual, look up a PDF copy online. Simply search for your model plus the words “user manual” to get a virtual copy.

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The reset process might be different for your dishwasher depending on its model. Consult your machine’s user guide for how to reset your particular dishwasher.

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I kept having the start/resume blinking on my KitchenAid dishwasher and would have to push it for the machine to continue. Sometimes several times, and also I'd have to do a circuit breaker reset to get through a complete cycle. I did full control panel resets and still had the same issue. Finally, I pressed and held the cancel button until it did a reset and that fixed the problem. The dishwasher now runs complete cycles and ends with the clean light on.

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