Have you ever wondered why your KitchenAid dishwasher control panel is not working? Considering KitchenAid dishwashers are high-quality, this is a rare problem, but it sometimes happens.
Dishwashers are some of the most used kitchen appliances in the world today. I am yet to come across a person who loves doing the dishwashers. Maybe there is someone who does, but not anyone I know.
These appliances make work easier for us. Can you imagine how tiring it would be to wash your dishes by hand? All the soaking and scrubbing could be so unmotivating.
Since I bought my KitchenAid dishwasher, washing dishes has been more accessible.
One problem I have noted with this dishwasher is the control panel might fail sometimes.
If you experience the same problem, I got your back. I will tell you what is causing the control panel not to work and what you can do to fix it. I will also cover the different types of KitchenAid dishwashers.
Your KitchenAid dishwasher control panel is not working because it needs resetting. You have activated the child lock without knowing, the dishwasher is having difficulties connecting to electricity, or the keys have issues.
The Best Dishwasher Under $700 Reviews: Click to Read.
Why is the Control Panel Essential in a Dishwasher?
The control panel is the brain of the dishwasher.
Without it, the dishwasher will not function. If your dishwasher control panel has a problem, you need to fix it asap.
There are five main stages of dishwashing; filling, washing, rinsing, draining, and drying. Each step receives instructions from the control, as I will explain below.
Also, Check Out: 3 Reasons Why Your New Dishwasher is Not Draining.
1. Filling
The initial step of dishwashing is arranging your dishes in the dishwasher. After that, it is now the filling stage.
During this stage, you select a wash cycle, after which the control panel sends a current that opens the valve. When the valve opens, it lets water into the washing zone.
The valve remains open for about two minutes. This time can, however, change depending on the dishwasher model.
Most KitchenAid dishwashers have a restricted amount of water they allow into the washing zone— a maximum of two gallons.
If the control panel is malfunctioning, the dishwasher will underfill, and your dishware won't clean properly.
2. Washing
After the filling process, the washing cycle begins. The dishwasher must fulfill three factors to do a thorough cleaning.
The water must be hot, the detergent should be present, and water must be circulating.
The control panel must be working correctly to meet all these factors. The control panel sends voltage to the motor, which drives a pump.
This pump enables the wash arms to force water up at high pressure and wash the dishes.
3. Drainage, Rinsing, and Drying
After the dishwasher has washed the dishes to completion, it drains the soapy water. It then goes through another cycle of filling the tub with clean water to rinse the dishes.
The control panel sends power voltage to the draining pump, which uses an impeller to force water out through a drain hole.
The dishwasher then goes through another process similar to the washing cycle. This time there is no detergent, and it rinses your dishes. It then drains this water and goes through a drying process.
The dishwasher must have a functioning control panel to complete a cycle. You now understand why it is detrimental if your KitchenAid dishwasher has a defective control panel.
Also, Read On: Why Does my KitchenAid Dishwasher Stop Mid-cycle? (How to Fix it)
KitchenAid Dishwasher Control Panel Problems.
Now that you know the importance of the control panel to the dishwasher let us look at some of the major causes of a faulty control panel.
In this section, I will describe a problem and tell you some things you can do to troubleshoot the issue. Keep reading.
1. Setting Problems
Often, we might not be willing to admit that the problem is just the wrong setting. I know how it feels to realize that you have suffered for something that would not take more than ten minutes to rectify.
The control panel's primary indicator has a problem with settings is when some lights are blinking. There are times it will not indicate anything and will not start.
There are times when you interrupt an ongoing session. After that, The dishwasher sometimes refuses to start the cycle again. This is because it could be stuck between processes, and you need to reset it.
How to Fix it
If you have an experience where your KitchenAid dishwasher has a problem, you first need to switch it off.
Let it rest for a minute and switch it back on. It will fix the problem, and you can start a new cycle.
2. Power Problems
In case of a power outage, your dishwasher will not function. However, there are times when there is power, and your dishwasher is still not connecting to the power.
You will notice this problem when the control panel fails to light up. In such situations, the problem can stem from different roots.
First, there might be a blown fuse in the control panel. Fuses are often used in an electrical appliance to protect it from damage in case of a power surge. In case of a power surge, it will blow the fuse, breaking the connection.
Second, the socket your dishwasher is connected to might be faulty. A faulty socket means that power will not get to the dishwasher. As such, the dishwasher panel will not function.
Third, the circuit breaker might be down. This often happens when there is an overcurrent. The circuit breaker steps up to protect your appliances.
The control panel will not work when no electricity gets to your dishwasher, and the control panel will not work. This problem is familiar, yet some people do not think about it.
The first thought that comes to your mind when you realize that the control panel of your dishwasher is not working is; that it must be faulty! The reason can be as simple as a defective socket, a blown fuse, or the circuit breaker is down.
So, the next time you experience a problem with the control panel, you should check to see if the dishwasher is getting any power.
How to Troubleshoot the Power Problem
First, you need to test if the socket you have connected your dishwasher to is working. You can try connecting another gadget to the same socket to test.
If the gadget works, then the socket is not the problem. If the device does not work, then the socket has a problem.
You can either change the socket or move your dishwasher to a working socket to solve this problem.
The circuit breaker problem is easy to diagnose and solve. If the circuit breaker is down, you will probably have no power in your house.
Trace the circuit breaker and turn it back on. This trick will solve the problem.
Supposing you have tried all these and nothing is working, it is now time to check if you have a blown fuse. It is hard to tell if you have a blown fuse.
You need to test for continuity, and since you might not have the necessary tools, you can call in a professional.
So, if you have tried everything else and the control panel is still not working, the problem might be a blown fuse.
3. The Child Lock is Active.
All KitchenAid dishwashers have a child lock button. A lock symbol often indicates it. This button lets you lock the dishwasher when not using it so your kids won't play with it and harm themselves.
If you notice that your dishwasher's control panel is not executing any commands, it might be because someone has activated the child lock button.
You might not be the one who did. Maybe someone else used the dishwasher and activated the child lock setting. Or you could have done it and forgotten.
This setting is made so that you cannot operate the dishwasher until you have turned it off. To check whether this lock is on, you will see some sort of illumination on the child lock button.
Supposing you notice it, you have to turn it off so that the control panel will work again. How do you turn off a child lock button? Read on.
How to Turn off a Child Lock Button
Deactivating the child lock is not complicated. Although KitchenAid dishwashers come in different models, turning off the child lock is almost the same.
To turn off the child lock, locate the dry button in your KitchenAid dishwasher. In some models, you need to use the energy saver button.
Hold down the button for at least four seconds, and the child lock indicator light will go off. If it does not go off, you need to replace the control panel.
4. Stuck Keys
A stuck key in the control panel of your dishwasher will cause the control lock to be activated.
You will notice this by the presence of a light blinking in the area where the control button is located.
Nothing will happen when you try to give your dishwasher a command when the control lock is activated. You will have to turn off the control lock first.
How to Fix Stuck Keys
There are two ways of dealing with stuck keys in the control panel. One, you can deactivate the control lock.
To deactivate the control lock, you need to look for the control lock hold button. Press the button for about three seconds until the blinking light disappears.
You can also reset your control panel, and you will be good to go.
Different Types of KitchenAid Dishwasher
There are various models of KitchenAid dishwashers. Some are expensive while others are cheap.
I am going to discuss them below to help you better understand them. Please stick with me.
Front Control
A front control dishwasher has a control panel on top of the exterior. You can see the control panel.
When doing the dishes, you can see the cycle's progress and quickly note if there is a problem.
It is easy to use and clean.
Top Control
The top control dishwasher also has its control panel on the door, but it is tucked away. You only see the control panel once you open the door.
If you are a mysterious person, you will love this dishwasher as it is sleek and gives a classy vibe.
To see the progress of your cycle, you have to open the door with this dishwasher. It also reduces the risk of you hitting and damaging the control panel, seeing it is tucked away.
Portable
Naturally, we are accustomed to built-in dishwashers. They have a designated place built for them in your kitchen, and you cannot move them from one place to the other.
However, you do not need a designated place for a portable dishwasher. You can place it next to the sink and drain their water into the sink.
While some portable dishwashers are the standard size, some are small enough to fit in your small kitchen. You can move with them quickly when you decide to move.
Third rack
This type of dishwasher has an extra third rack on the top. The additional shelf is usually thin and can only fit tiny utensils.
They are usually more extensive than the standard dishwasher to accommodate the third rack.
Built-in dishwasher
A built-in dishwasher is the exact opposite of a portable dishwasher. It has a designated place, and once you have installed it there, you cannot move it.
These dishwashers fit in with the cabinets, and you can hardly tell they are there. They make your kitchen look neat.
Final Point
KitchenAid dishwashers are popular and some of the best brands of dishwashers around.
Although they come in different models, they sometimes experience a problem with their control panels. Once in a while, you may find your KitchenAid dishwasher control panel is not working.
I have covered why this problem might occur and what you can do to fix it. After you have gone through this article, I hope you will no longer wonder why the control panel of your dishwasher is not working.
You will know what might be causing the problem and how to fix it. All the best!
