How to Reset a Whirlpool Dishwasher
Is your Whirlpool dishwasher not completing its wash cycle or simply not starting? Luckily, learning how to reset a whirlpool dishwasher is, for the most part, as easy as turning it off and on. In this guide, we’ll run through a series of Whirlpool dishwasher reset sequences for Whirlpool Gold Series, Quiet Partner I, II, and III, WDT730PHAZ0, WDT720PADM2, as well as many more Whirlpool models.
Whirlpool Dishwasher Reset
The reason your dishwasher may be going haywires could be due to a blown fuse, a power surge caused by the electric utility company or a car accident that took down a power line. Whatever the cause, there are a couple of ways to fix it, depending on your model. Here’s how to reset a Whirlpool dishwasher in one of three ways:
- Step 1. Turn the Dishwasher Off and On – Unplug your Whirlpool dishwasher, wait a few minutes and plug it back in.
- Step 2. Flip the circuit breaker – If you cannot access the plug, you can reset your Whirlpool dishwasher by turning it off at the power source.
- Step 3. Hold the start/reset button – If unplugging the dishwasher didn’t work, the next thing you can try is pressing and holding the start or reset button for at least one full minute. All you have to do now is cross your fingers and hope it works. If not, no worries, just mosey on over to the next section.
How Do I Reset My Whirlpool Dishwasher Control Panel
If a full Whirlpool dishwasher reset isn’t what your unit needs, you can try resetting the control panel. Here’s how you can do that:
- Step 1. Turn off your dishwasher – To do this, you can either press the “Off” button, unplug the machine, or flip the circuit breaker. Wait about 15 minutes before restoring power. Did it work? Great! If not, proceed to step 2.
- Step 2. Select the “Pots & Pans” or “High” setting – From your unit’s control panel, select one of these options.
- Step 3. Select the “Heat” cycle – Wait 1-2 minutes and then repeat this step. Double Check that the reset has worked by running a normal wash cycle.
How do I Activate Diagnostic Mode
If none of the above steps worked, then you can try resetting your dishwasher by activating the diagnostic mode in one last-ditch effort before calling an authorized service technician.
- Step 1. Press “Heated Dry” and “Normal” – Press these two buttons one after the other twice in a row to enter diagnostic mode. If your model’s control panel is on top of the door, you will need to close the door right after you finish the sequence.
- Note: On some models, the “Heated Dry” button will be equivalent to “Air Dry,” “Energy Saver Dry,” “No Heat Dry.” “Normal Wash” might also be labeled under “Power Scour,” “High Temp Scour,” “High Temp Scrub,” or “Sani Rinse.
- Step 2. Press 3 buttons on your dishwasher – For the newer models, you can press 3 buttons that are not “Start,” “Delay,” or “Cancel” one after the other to enter diagnostic mode.
For more information on maintaining or troubleshooting your Whirlpool dishwasher, take a look at the extensive collection of Whirlpool manuals available on our website.