Doing the dishes is the most frustrating chore for me. It is tiring doing the dishes after every meal. Imagine this, you are doing the dishes (a task you already hate), and then your Kitchenaid dishwasher stops mid-cycle. Frustrating, right?
Before you lash out to call a professional, you should try to troubleshoot and see if you can fix the problem. Often, the problem is minute, and you can fix it.
Supposing your kitchen aid dishwasher stops mid-cycle, it might be because it's old, has a faulty motor, or has a tripped circuit.
To fix it, you can do the following;
- Inspect the door latch
- Check the fan and switch lid assembly
- Inspect the status of the thermal fuse
- Fix the pump and motor
- Inspect the water inlet valve
- Replace the control board
Stay with me as I discuss the causes for your Kitchenaid dishwasher stopping mid-cycle and how to fix them. Let's dive in.
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Reasons Why Your KitchenAid Dishwasher Has Stopped Mid Cycle and How to Fix them
There are various reasons why a dishwasher can stop mid-cycle.
It can be a mechanical problem, or maybe it has seen better days. Keep reading to know the reasons in detail.
We will also focus on how to troubleshoot each issue. Keep up.
Also, Check Out The Best Dishwasher Under $700 Reviews. HERE
1. Damaged or Broken Door Latch
Most home appliances like the dishwasher and laundry machine have latches. These latches ensure the door of the home appliances has entirely closed during a cycle.
A dishwasher cannot work with an open door. Manufacturers make this appliance like this to avoid water spillage. Due to this reason, you won't try to operate the dishwasher with an open door.
Check the door latch first if you are busy doing your dishes and the machine stops mid-cycle. The door latch can cause the dishwasher to stop the mid-cycle if;
- You have overloaded the dishwasher. If you put too many dishes in the dishwasher, the door will not fit the latch completely. The door might open up during the cycle, causing the dishwasher to stop working.
- The screws are loose. Loose screws mean that the door of your dishwasher will not fit well. As a result, it can open when the dishwasher is running a cycle. If this happens, the KitchenAid dishwasher will stop working.
- A broken latch prevents the door from closing completely. A fractured latch is a result of you banging your dishwasher over and over. It finally becomes misaligned and cannot work well with the door. Dishwasher latches are primarily durable, but they may wear out with time. Again, the latch might be faulty like any other electrical part.
- You have not installed the dishwasher properly. After buying a kitchen aid dishwasher, you should ensure that you have installed it correctly. A tilting dishwasher is troublesome. The door might keep on opening, causing it to stop mid-cycle.
How to Fix Door Latch Problems
If you are doing your dishes and your KitchenAid dishwasher stops mid-cycle, the first thing to check should be the door latch.
Supposing you realize your latch is intact, the problem is you have overloaded the dishwasher. Unloading some utensils will create space and allow the door to close completely. Your dishwasher will then start a cycle and complete it.
Maybe you have not overloaded your dishwasher. What then? The problem might lie in the door, the latch, or perhaps you have installed the dishwasher incorrectly.
If your KitchenAid dishwasher stops mid-cycle and you have not overloaded it, do the following.
- Open the door and check for loose screws. As we have seen, loose screws will prevent the door from locking completely. If there are loose screws, fix and tighten them, and you will be good. The dishwasher will be able to finish a cycle.
- Check to see if you have installed the dishwasher correctly. You might have placed the dishwasher on a tilting ground. This might be a reason for the door to keep on opening. Supposing it is on uneven ground, change its position to flat ground.
- Open the door and look at the latch. If it is misaligned, try pushing it to align with the door. Supposing it is damaged or broken, you will have to replace the latch.
- A broken latch can be hard to replace. Plus, you will need a new latch. Unless you know how to do it, it would be wise to call a technician to replace the latch.
2. A Tripped Fuse
Like all electrical appliances, a dishwasher has a fuse that limits the power that the dishwasher receives.
When the voltage exceeds the necessary amount that the dishwasher needs, it will trip, and the dishwasher will stop.
A fuse helps to prevent appliances from catching fire. So, if your KitchenAid dishwasher stops mid-cycle and it is not the door or the latch, it might be a tripped fuse.
To be sure it is a tripped fuse, check your other appliances. Supposing they are working, you are sure your dishwasher is the one with a problem.
To fix it;
Check whether the indicator light in your dishwasher is on. Or try to see if the other appliances are functioning correctly.
Supposing they are, it means the fuse has tripped. It is not hard fixing a tripped fuse. Locate the fuse and switch it back on.
A tripped fuse is not a red flag if it has tripped just this once. You should, however, be wary if it keeps on tripping. It might mean that the dishwasher is faulty and needs replacement.
3. A Blown Thermal Fuse
Earlier versions of dishwashers did not have a thermal fuse. However, most modern versions of KitchenAid dishwashers have a thermal fuse.
A thermal fuse prevents the dishwasher from overheating. Its work is to sense heat. If the heat is too much, the thermal fuse will blow.
As a result, it will protect critical components of the dishwasher from becoming damaged.
An electrical fuse and a thermal fuse work on the same principle. They sense when there is too much power or heat. They then go off or get blown, causing the dishwasher to stop.
Although a thermal fuse gets blown because of excess heat, other factors can cause it. They are;
- Water is leaking from the pipes. Broken water pipes from the tap to the dishwasher can be broken. As a result, they may start leaking water. When the water hits the thermal fuse, it short circuits and is blown.
- Wear and tear of the wires. This happens due to old age. With time, your dishwasher will start to wear out. The cables in the thermal fuse will become exposed.
- Due to this exposure, wires that were not meant to come into contact will touch. A short circuit will result. This short circuit will cause the thermal fuse to become blown, and the dishwasher will stop working.
How to Fix a Blown Thermal Fuse
If your dishwasher's thermal fuse is blown, you cannot go around it. You will have to replace it.
It is not a hard job replacing a thermal fuse. If, however you feel like you cannot do it, you should call a professional to assist.
Supposing you are up for the task, follow these steps;
- Unplug the dishwasher from the power source. Avoid working with the dishwasher connected to the socket.
- Unbolt the screws and remove the control panel to expose the blown thermal fuse
- Remove the blown thermal fuse and replace it with the new one
- Restore the control panel. Ensure you have bolted the screws to secure the panel in place
4. A Damaged Motor
I will not bore you with the technicalities of how a dishwasher works. To put it simply, a dishwasher has a pump that drives water into a motor. The motor rotates, spinning the spraying arms that help clean your dishes.
During a cleaning cycle, you can hear the motor humming. If suddenly the motor stops humming and your KitchenAid dishwasher stops mid-cycle, there is a considerable likelihood that the motor is damaged.
Although the motor can wear out due to the dishwasher being used for a long time, it is mainly caused by clogging. Sometimes, you may tend to use too much when doing your dishes.
Over time, this soap will clog the motor, making it stop. When this happens, your dishwasher will stop its cleaning cycle.
There are times when the dishwasher is not cleaning, but you can still hear the motor hum. When this happens, the motor is not receiving enough power.
How to fix a Damaged Motor
The best way to deal with a damaged motor is to replace it.
Supposing you realize your dishwasher stopped mid-cycle due to the motor, follow the following steps to replace it;
- Drain and dry out all water from the dishwasher
- Disconnect the dishwasher from the power source
- Turn your dishwasher upside down to expose its bottom side
- Unbolt the crews of the bottom cover and remove it
- Remove the pump to expose the faulty motor
- Disconnect the damaged motor from the clips and hoses holding it in place, and then remove it
- Attach the new motor to the clips and hoses holding the previous motor. Place it back in place.
- Re-attach the pump, then screw the bottom lid back to place.
Also, Read on : How Long to Knead Bread dough in the KitchenAid Mixer.
5. A Faulty Control Board
KitchenAid dishwashers, like any other dishwashers, have control boards. These control boards manage the functions of the dishwashers.
Look at it his way; the control board is like the brain of the dishwasher. Our brains are the ones that ensure that we feed, sleep, learn, and do all the things we are supposed to do to survive.
The control board signals the motor, pump, and other dishwasher parts. These signals enable the different parts of the dishwasher to function correctly. Without these signals, the dishwasher will not work or stop mid-cycle.
There are various reasons why the control board can stop working. The main ones are that power is not getting to the dishwasher or short-circuited.
How to Fix a Faulty Control Board
The best way to fix a faulty control board is to replace it. It is not common for a control board to be defective.
Sometimes the issue is not severe. Maybe it just needs resetting.
Supposing resetting is not the issue; you need to replace it. If you cannot handle the task, it is always wise to look for a professional.
6. Fan and Vent Problems
Most electrical appliances have fans. The outlets of these fans are called vents. The work of the fan is to rotate and supply cold air to cool the systems.
The vents allow the air to get to the fan, thus the systems. They also allow the hot air to get out.
If the fan of your dishwasher stops working, the system may overheat. This will cause the thermal fuse to be blown, stopping the dishwasher mid-cycle.
You can fix a faulty fan or vent by replacing it. If you are like me and cannot handle it, get some help.
Bottom Line
There are numerous reasons why your KitchenAid dishwasher can stop midcycle. The first step to troubleshooting the dishwasher is knowing what its problem is.
After you have recognized the problem, you can try to fix it. Some of these problems are easy to mend. Some of them are hard, and if you are not talented in that department, you will need professional help.
Now that you know why your dishwasher might stop mid-cycle, you will not be dumbstruck the next time it happens.
Dishwashers are expensive. I will advise you to try and maintain yours as best as possible. Whether buying a new one or replacing some parts, it will cost you. Take care.
