KitchenAid Dishwasher Red Light On Front Door – What To Do?

Do you see a flashing red light on your KitchenAid Dishwasher? Don't know what to do about it? You've come to the right page. We've got information from our experts that will help you out.

If you see a steady red light on your KitchenAid dishwasher's control panel, it is in its drying stage. But if the red light is flashing, it could indicate motor or electrical issues that need to be checked by a technician.

A red light could also indicate water connection issues that require you to check and remove blockages along the way.

Keep on reading to know more about how to understand your KitchenAid dishwasher based on its light signals. We'll also teach you the different ways to reset your dishwasher. This article will also talk about why you can't seem to open and close your dishwasher. Let's get started!

Why Does The Front Door Of My Kitchenaid Dishwasher Have A Red Light?

Many homeowners are thankful for the convenience that dishwashers bring. These nifty kitchen appliances are a big help because, let's face it, no matter what we do, the dishes seem to keep piling up.

It would take so much time and effort to handwash everything when you could be doing something else or resting.

Before anything else, here's a quick rundown of how this kitchen appliance works. The cycle starts by releasing water into the tub, heating the water, adding the liquid detergent, and spraying water to wash off the dirt on the dishes.

After this, the dirty water is drained out of the dishwasher to be followed by the rinsing process, and the used water is again drained off.

Now that the dishes are clean, you can stop the cycle at this point or continue with the drying process, which is done by heating the dishwasher.

Steady Red Light

The lights on your KitchenAid dishwasher would tell you how far along in the cycle it is. Once you start your desired wash cycle, the light is color blue. It would turn red when it's at the drying stage and white when everything is complete.

Note that the lights on your control panel should be steady to indicate that the process is underway and going smoothly.

Flashing Red Light

When you see a red light flashing on the control panel, it is a warning intended to catch your attention. Your dishwasher's way of communicating with you is that something is amiss.

In the case of a KitchenAid dishwasher, a red light is an error code. Their dishwashers have been programmed to communicate errors to the users by flashing codes or a red light beside a particular button.

As long as the issue isn't addressed, the appliance will be disabled and won't progress with the wash cycle.

The flashing red light on the front panel indicates motor problems if it's next to the "Light/China" button, while it denotes electrical issues if found beside the "Rinse" and "Normal" pads.

However, we don't recommend messing with the wiring of your electrical control system, so it's best to turn off the appliance, unplug it from the power source, and call a technician.

If the flashing red light is beside the "Rinse" and "Heavy" buttons, it means that the dishwasher cannot fill up with water. Turn off and unplug the appliance before checking what's causing the blockage from your water source to your dishwasher.

Address the issue to have your appliance back in good running condition.

How Do I Reset The Control Panel On My KitchenAid Dishwasher?

Sometimes electrical appliances need rebooting to get them back in order. They can be overwhelmed with all the commands that they've been receiving, especially for those appliances that are used heavily.

You can't get them to work correctly, and you start thinking about repair, replacement, and the possible costs. But try resetting them first, and you might be surprised that it's just what they needed at that moment.

Your KitchenAid dishwasher doesn't have a dedicated reset button. But there are three ways for you to reboot it.

Cancel Or Cancel Drain Button

Press the Cancel or Cancel Drain pad for about three seconds. This will cancel the wash cycle and reset your dishwasher to its original settings. You can then have it programmed with your desired settings.

Hi-Temp Scrub And Energy Saver Dry Buttons

Press each of these two buttons one after the other. Do this at least five times. Press the Cancel or Drain button to complete your KitchenAid control panel reset. Give it 10 minutes before you use it again.

Unplug Your Dishwasher

If the above steps don't work, you can also try unplugging your KitchenAid dishwasher. To do this:

1. Turn off the circuit breaker where your dishwasher is connected. 2. Unplug the unit from its power outlet. 3. Wait for 5 to 10 minutes. 4. Reconnect the dishwasher to its power source. 5. Turn on the circuit breaker. 6. Switch on your dishwasher.

If resetting your dishwasher doesn't solve the issues you're encountering; it's time to call a technician who can fix your appliance instead.

Why Won't My Dishwasher Door Open?

You might also encounter this problem wherein you can't get your dishwasher to open. You need to unlock it to be able to load the dishes and retrieve the cleaned cookware and kitchenware afterward.

There can be different reasons why you can't open it. Let's discuss them below:

Not Connected To Power

Sometimes, it's as simple as your dishwasher not being plugged into the power outlet. Being an electrical appliance, it needs this power source to function. You won't be able to open your dishwasher when there's no power.

Make sure your dishwasher is plugged in securely, and all the switches to where it's connected are turned on.

Not Hooked Up To Water

Your dishwasher needs adequate water pressure to proceed with the washing cycle. It relies on this pressure to keep different parts engaged. If it's not connected to a water source, it won't function.

Check its connection lines and see if something is blocking the way for water to reach the dishwasher.

Control Lock Activated

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 this feature is engaged, you won't be able to unlock your dishwasher.

To deactivate the Control Lock feature, press the Control Lock pad and hold for three seconds.

Electronic Control System Issues

Your dishwasher is powered by a control system that reads your program and performs the necessary commands to accomplish the task.

Sometimes, this feature can be overwhelmed with all the appliance's signals. You may need to reboot the system to put it back in order.

Defective Door Parts

You won't be able to operate your dishwasher's door properly when its parts are defective. It could be its hinge, latch, striker, or handle. When any of these components are already worn out or damaged, you won't be able to open your dishwasher.

It might be time to have these door parts replaced if it has been years since you started using your dishwasher. If it's still under warranty, you can ask the manufacturer's service representative to look at it and have it fixed.

Why Isn't My KitchenAid Dishwasher Door Closing?

You may also experience the opposite problem - your dishwasher won't close. You need to close it to begin the wash cycle and prevent leaks.

Here are the most common reasons for this:

Improper Installation

Dishwashers should be installed in the right way for them to function properly. They should be placed on a level surface and must not tilt towards any side.

You may find it hard to keep the door shut if they do. The tub would also be misaligned, and the door might shift, preventing it from closing.

Racks Don't Fit/Align

The top and bottom racks should fit the inside of your dishwasher perfectly. Otherwise, you won't be able to close the door properly.

For the racks to slide on the tracks smoothly, the dishes should be arranged properly so that they won't collide with the bottom and top racks when you put them inside.

Adjust the height of the racks if needed and check if foreign objects are getting in the way to make them fit inside correctly.

Damaged Door Latch

The door latch ensures that the dishwasher door is closed automatically and stays tightly shut throughout the cleaning cycle. But if it is defective, you won't be able to close the door.

Since it is one of the most used parts of your dishwasher, it is no wonder that it is most affected by wear and tear. It needs to be replaced, or you won't be able to use your dishwasher.

Misaligned Door Latch Or Striker

The latch and striker should fit each other perfectly to be able to shut the door properly. They need to be aligned with each other, or you won't be able to close the door.

Check the striker's position so that it'll be able to catch the latch when they meet upon closing the door. You need to move it to the center so that they are aligned with each other and can work together.

To Wrap It Up

Remember, steady lights will help you determine how far along the wash cycle it is while flashing red lights will alert you of certain issues that need to be addressed so that your dishwasher can perform its function correctly.

Made it to the end? Check out these helpful related posts!

KitchenAid Dishwasher Won't Start – What To Do?

KitchenAid Dishwasher Stops Mid-Cycle – What To Do?