How To Reset Your Whirlpool Dishwasher (Within Minutes)

Your Whirlpool dishwasher in a jam again? Don’t you hate it when that happens?

If this happens to you time and again, you might be thinking of swapping out the old washer for a new and upgraded model.

Let me stop you right here.

If you have a Whirlpool dishwasher that coughs up a little every week or two, I can give you some basic guidelines on how to reset your Whirlpool dishwasher within minutes.

Try to reset the Whirlpool dishwasher, hold down on the start/reset button for 10 seconds. If that doesn’t work, try a hard reset by unplugging the Whirlpool dishwasher for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Lastly, you can try activating diagnostic mode (details below).

If neither of those have worked, then keep reading for more details on resetting your specific model. Let’s get that Whirlpool dishwasher whirling again.

Quick Whirlpool Dishwasher Reset Methods

The downside to Whirlpool appliances is that they don’t have a reset button. But some of them do have certain error codes. You can identify them from the user manual.

If you can’t identify the error code, let’s start with the most basic step. Simply disconnect your dishwasher from the power source and leave it for one minute. After a minute, you reconnect it and turn on your dishwasher.

If your dishwasher is hard-wired, simply turn off the breaker it’s connected to. After one minute, turn the breaker back on and see if your dishwasher works properly or not. The breaker is located inside the circuit box of your house, in case you have no clue about it.

If this doesn’t fix your dishwasher, keep reading. If it does, you can still read this guide till the end, in case your dishwasher decides to give you trouble again.

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 you’re like me, you may have misplaced your user manual!  Not to worry. You can simply refer to our good friend, Google.

Search for “Whirlpool [model] user manual” and it will pop up in a second. Make sure to enter your model in place of “[model]”, or it won’t know what you need.

If that doesn’t work, try ServiceMatters.com. It’s a great resource for manuals and parts – especially for Whirlpool models.

Once you’ve found the user manual, follow the instructions. What if you don’t know your dishwasher’s model number or it has faded from the body? There’s no cause for alarm.

I’ve gathered all the basic methods you can follow to reset your Whirlpool dishwasher within minutes…

Tips for Resetting Any Whirlpool Dishwasher

There are some easy steps that you can apply to reset your Whirlpool dishwasher in no time.

Resetting the Control Board

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.

Here’s 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.

• Now select any “Heat” cycle to dry the dishes you’re washing. After 1-2 minutes, repeat the cycle selection once again and see if the dishwasher is working properly.

If this doesn’t reset your Whirlpool dishwasher, you can try the next method.

Activating Diagnostic Mode

Many times, your Whirlpool dishwasher will show a flashing or blinking light. Or it will let out an alarm to tell you something’s not right. Since there’s no reset button you need to try something else.

There’s a simple way to reset the blinking light of your dishwasher:

• Press the “Heated Dry” button. Then instantly press the “Normal” button.
• Press the “Heated Dry” button again.Then quickly followed by the “Normal” button. This will take the dishwasher into diagnostic mode/ and it will eventually reset.

If this method doesn’t work for you, try leaving the door open and try once again. If the problem persists, move on to the next method.

Resetting Newer Models

In newer models of the Whirlpool dishwasher, you can reset it or send it into diagnostic mode by a few simple steps.

Just press any three buttons consecutively, but in this sequence: First, Second, Third, First, Second, Third, First, Second, and Third. This should put your dishwasher into diagnostic mode.

What to Do After A Reset?

If your dishwasher starts working normally after using one of the methods above, you can start using it as you did before.

You can monitor it for a few days and see if it stops working between cycles, or displays any error codes.

If It Still Isn’t Working, Consider Talking To A Pro

If these tips haven’t helped – don’t worry. There may be other quick fixes you can try.

We’re fortunate enough to have a lot of readers on our website, but unfortunately I can’t answer everyone’s questions personally. To help, we’ve teamed up with JustAnswer to connect you to a qualified Appliance expert.

You can connect with an appliance expert below, who will help you solve your specific issue. They do charge a small trial fee, so just remember to cancel the trial once you get your dishwasher working again.

Why Does My Whirlpool Dishwasher Need a Reset?

Dishwashers have a control board that manages all its functions. It also specifies the time period for which cycle will run.

Due to problems with the power supply or electrical surges, the control board doesn’t get the power it needs to run smoothly. This can cause it to stop working altogether, or get stuck in a loop. Sometimes, it also starts displaying error codes for no reason at all.

By resetting your Whirlpool dishwasher, you allow the control board to forget what it was stuck on and start afresh.

In most cases, a simple reset does the job for your appliances.

How to Keep My Whirlpool Dishwasher from Malfunctioning?

Like any electrical appliance in your house, your dishwasher needs care. This includes keeping it clean and following all of the maintenance guidelines provided in its manual.

With your Whirlpool dishwasher, here are the steps you should follow regularly:

• Clean the filter regularly. It accumulates food scraps and can get clogged very easily, causing the dishwasher to malfunction.
• Check the inlet temperature of the water in your dishwasher. Whirlpool recommends that it should be between 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
• If your dishwasher has a rinse aid, always check its level. It shouldn’t decrease too much.
• Install surge protection for your Whirlpool dishwasher. This helps avoid malfunctions caused by electrical outages or power surges.

Conclusion

If your dishwasher suddenly gives up on you and you’re left with a stack of dirty dishes, it can be quite disturbing.

Luckily, you can apply the methods from this guide and try to revive your Whirlpool dishwasher. I hope this guide comes in handy whenever you face such a problem.

If you need any help with other appliances around your house, make sure to read our other articles related to appliances for helpful information.

Thanks for reading, and have a wonderful day!

-Craig