Are you worried about the KitchenAid dishwasher red light flashing issue? Our dishwashers can’t talk to us like humans. This is why they are programmed with these attention-grabbing actions like the green light, which means the dishwasher is in standby mode, and the orange light, which indicates the dishwasher is washing the dishes.
Whenever the dishwasher faces any error, they try to give us an indication of a specific problem by doing a unique attention-grabbing action like flashing the red light.
In this article, I will help you understand the flashing red light on the KitchenAid dishwasher and fix the issue it is indicating.
So, let’s begin with understanding the issue.
What does red light mean on my KitchenAid dishwasher?
There are two types of red lights on the KitchenAid dishwasher:
Steady red light
If the red light on your dishwasher’s front panel is steady, then there is no need to worry about it, as it indicates the drying stage of the cycle. The continuous red light means the drying process is going smoothly. After the drying stage, the color of the light will change to white, which means your cycle has been completed.
Flashing red light
If there is a red flashing LED on your KitchenAid dishwasher, it is indicating an error code. The KitchenAid dishwasher has been programmed into their system to show a blinking red light whenever it detects any error code. Also, the appliance stops the ongoing cycle until the issue is fixed.
Different locations of flashing red LED indicate various problems like:-
The red light next to the Light/China button is an indication of motor problems.
The red light blinking behind the Rinse and Normal wash label is due to electrical issues, and the flashing red LED behind the Rinse and Heavy label is due to a water blockage problem.
Some other reasons can still cause flickering red LED errors, like software glitches, faulty door latches, etc.
How can I fix the flashing red light error on the KitchenAid dishwasher?
Here are some fixes that you can do at your home to solve the red light flashing error:
Reset the dishwasher
Before going to any other solution, try resetting your dishwasher. In many cases, resetting the dishwasher can solve the error. Dishwashers are also machines, and being machines, they can face software errors.
Software glitches are unpredictable and can cause a blinking red LED on the control panel. Resetting the dishwasher will give it time to fix that software glitch by itself.
Follow the provided below instructions to reset your KitchenAid dishwasher:
- Start with disconnecting the appliance from the power source by removing the power cord of your dishwasher from the electrical board or turning off the circuit breaker of your dishwasher from your home’s power panel.
- Leave the dishwasher for some time (approximately 5-6 minutes).
- This action will allow your dishwasher to recover from any software glitches.
- Now, reconnect the power cord to the electrical board, or turn on the circuit breaker of your dishwasher.
- At last, turn on the appliance to check if your issue is solved.
Check if the dishwasher is set for a delayed start.
When your dishwasher is set for the delay start, it flashes a red light on the front panel. So, check if your dishwasher is set for a delayed start. If your dishwasher is set for delay start, then simply start the cycle or turn off the delay start feature to stop that flickering red LED.
Read the next solution if your dishwasher is not set for any delayed start.
The control lock is active
Check to see if your Control Lock feature is activated. This feature is used to prevent interruption on the wash cycle, which happens when someone accidentally presses the buttons on the control panel. If the control lock is engaged, you won’t be able to unlock your dishwasher.
Fix:
To deactivate the Control panel, you will need to press and hold the “Top rack” button for 5 seconds
The door is opened during the cycle
If your KitchenAid dishwasher is flashing light it can be due to interruption during the wash cycle. The door needs to be fully closed throughout each wash cycle. If the dishwasher door latch is opened mid-cycle, it will interrupt the cycle.
Fix:
To fix this, close the door and make sure the latch is properly engaged before starting any wash cycle.
Replace the faulty door latch
If your dishwasher door is not closing correctly even after trying, it means that there is some issue with the door latch. The door latch in your dishwasher is responsible for shutting the door properly. If the latch is damaged, the door will not be able to close.
Fix:
To fix this problem, you will need to replace that broken door latch. To do so, follow the given below steps:
- First of all, you need to identify that damaged latch and purchase a new latch suitable for your KitchenAid dishwasher model. You can buy it online or at the local shop.
- Begin the repair by unplugging the power cord of your dishwasher.
- Unscrew the access panel and open it.
- Now, remove the electrical connector from the latch and remove all the screws from it.
- Unbox the new door latch and fix it in place of the old one by tightening the screws.
- Lastly, close the access panel and tighten its screws.
Check the water connection.
Water connectivity problems in KitchenAid dishwashers can be why the red light flashes on the control panel. A water connectivity problem means that the dishwasher is probably not filling with water or the issue with the water pressure which is preventing your dishwasher from functioning properly.
If the red light is blinking next to the Rinse and Heavy label, then it’s probably due to a water connection issue.
Fix:
To fix this issue, check the water supply in the dishwasher. Blockages in the hose, pipe, and water inlet valve are the main reasons for water connectivity problems.
So, check for any blockage in the hose, tube, and water inlet valve of the dishwasher, and if you find any obstacle, remove it immediately to fix your issue.
Check the electrical connection.
Power outage or fluctuation in power can be a potential cause of blinking light errors on KitchenAid dishwashers. If the dishwasher does not get enough electricity, it will be unable to heat the water and clean the dishes out of that water.
If the flashing red LED is near the Rinse and Normal label, it indicates an error due to electrical problems.
Fix:
To fix this issue, check if the power cord is connected correctly to a functioning electrical board and ensure the power is stable.
If the issue is not solved, it’s better to call a professional technician or contact KitchenAid customer support.
Check for the faulty motor.
If your dishwasher has none of those mentioned above issues and it’s still flickering red light on the front panel, it can probably be due to a malfunctioning motor. Flickering a red LED next to the Light/China indicates problems related to the motor.
Fix:
To fix this problem, you will need to test your motor with the help of a multimeter. It will help you to determine if your motor needs replacement or not.
Make sure to cut off the power of your dishwasher before starting the inspection. Now, follow the given instructions to check the motor of your KitchenAid dishwasher:
- The motor is located behind the kick plate at the bottom of your dishwasher. So, open the kick plate of your dishwasher by removing all the screws from it.
- Now, identify the motor and disconnect all the wires connected to it.
- Set the multimeter up by placing it to R X 1.
- Now, place the two probes of the multimeter on each motor terminal.
- Check the display of the multimeter. If it shows between 20 – 40 ohms, it indicates the motor is in good condition.
- If the multimeter shows less or more than it, then it probably needs replacement. Make sure you have tried all the previous troubleshooting steps before going for a replacement.
How do I reset my KitchenAid dishwasher and clear error code?
Sometimes, simply resetting the dishwasher by unplugging it and plugging it back in does not resolve the blinking light on the door panel. In that case, you’ll need to manually clear the error code.
To do so, follow these steps:
- First, turn on your appliance by pressing the power button on the control panel.
- Depending on your dishwasher model, press the “Keylock button” followed by holding the “Start/Pause” button for at least 5 seconds.
- The button light should illuminate to indicate you’re doing it right.
- Now, press “Start/Pause” again followed by “Keylock” to clear the error code.
- After all this, press the Power button once more to exit the error code mode.
Following these steps should reset the control panel and resolve any error codes that are causing the issue.
Now, if you have followed all the troubleshooting steps but the issue is persisting, you can enter the diagnostic mode. This mode will help you in diagnosing the issue by running a series of tests on your appliance.
FAQ’s
What does the red light on the dishwasher mean?
A steady red light on your dishwasher front panel means the cycle is in the drying stage. But if the red light is blinking continuously, it indicates an error on the dishwasher. To fix this error, you can reset your dishwasher.
How do I know when my KitchenAid dishwasher is finished?
The clean light on the dishwasher indicates whether the dishwasher is running and whether the dishes are clean. When the clean light shuts off, the cycle is finished, and you can open the door.
What is the average life of a KitchenAid dishwasher?
The average life of a KitchenAid dishwasher is between 10 to 12 years. However, you can always enhance your dishwasher life by regular cleaning and maintaining it properly.
How long does the KitchenAid dishwasher cycle take?
Usually, a KitchenAid dishwasher cycle takes almost 2 – 4 hours. The time taken to complete a wash cycle varies according to the different cycle settings you have selected.
Conclusion
The Flashing red light on your KitchenAid dishwasher indicates an error. It can be caused by several factors, including software glitches, malfunctioning motors, faulty latches, water connection issues, etc.
To resolve this issue, you can reset the dishwasher, replace the damaged latch, fix the water connection issue, and replace the motor of your KitchenAid dishwasher. If you are confused or not confident about solving this issue by yourself, you can call a verified appliance technician or contact KitchenAid customer support.
I hope you got to know what you are looking for in this article. If you still feel we have missed something, comment down below. We would be happy to help you further.
