Normally, a Whirlpool dishwasher red light blinking problem means that something is wrong with the dishwasher. And in some cases, the dishwasher might not even run at all.
That said, in this guide, I will be telling you what this means, what causes it, and how you can easily fix the problem.
So, read on to know how to troubleshoot and fix Whirlpool dishwasher red light flashing problems.
Whirlpool dishwasher red light [Meaning, causes, and how to fix the problem]
Of course, to know how to fix the problem, we must first know what it means and what causes it…
Whirlpool dishwasher red light flashing – meaning and causes
For the most part, a red light flashing means that your Whirlpool dishwasher is detecting the door as open.
However, in a few select models, a blinking red light could be meaning that the control lock has been activated or that the control panel has shorted.
How to fix the Whirlpool dishwasher red light blinking problem
Of course, you will want to start by…
Making sure that the door is closing properly
Here, start by rearranging any dishes that might be protruding from the racks thereby preventing the door from fully closing.
Speaking of the racks, also make sure that you are pushing the racks all the way in.
Something else: Remove any gunk that might be trapped on the door seal around the latch area.
Finally, try opening the door and closing it a bit more firmly to see if this fixes the problem.
Reset the dishwasher
To reset your dishwasher, press the following button sequence:
Heated Dry → Normal → Heated Dry → Normal
If successful, all the indicators will light up indicating that your dishwasher is resetting.
Once the indicator lights go off, press the Cancel button twice to complete the process.
Pro tip: If your model does not have the Heated Dry option, use the Energy Saver Dry or the Air Dry buttons instead.
Another thing: Some models will require you to press the above button combination three times. That is:
Heated Dry → Normal → Heated Dry → Normal → Heated Dry → Normal
And, in these models, you will not need to press the cancel button to complete the reset procedure.
Pro tip: This reset process will only enable you to run a couple of wash cycles before the problem returns. So, for a permanent fix, be sure to try the other fixes in this guide.
Something else: If the indicator lights won’t light up, it means that the control board is to blame… To understand how to fix it, jump to the control board section towards the end of this guide.
Alternative reset procedure – hard resetting the dishwasher
Disconnect the dishwasher from the power outlet and let it sit for at least five minutes without power.
Alternatively, trip the circuit breaker and let the dishwasher sit for five minutes for the electronics to reset.
Turn off control (child) lock
If control lock is active, the control lock light will flash red three times if you try to press any button.
So, be sure to deactivate the control lock.
To do so, locate the button that says “Control Lock Hold 3 Sec” – press and hold this button for three seconds.
Confirm that the door switch has continuity
Using a multimeter, test for continuity between the door switch terminals.
If there is no continuity, it means that the switch is bad.
Fortunately, you can easily replace the switch as a DIY project – simply order a replacement door switch and get a good instructional video and you should be good to go.
Pro tip: In some models, to replace the door switch, you will need to get a replacement door latch assembly. So, be sure to confirm from your unit’s service manual before ordering the replacement part.
Fix the control panel/touchpad
In a few models such as the Whirlpool DU1030XTXS0 (Quiet Partner I) dishwasher, the Cancel/Drain button might flash red indicating that the touchpad is shorting.
In this case, the best troubleshooting step you can try is to reset the dishwasher – refer to the reset steps we have seen above.
If this does not work, proceed to disengage any buttons that might be depressed.
Next, check to see if the wire harness ribbon connecting the control panel to the control board is loose… If it is, be sure to re-insert it.
On the other hand, if you note that the wire connection is broken (or appears corroded), you should replace it.
If this does not fix your unit, chances are that the control panel (user interface) board is bad and needs replacing.
Have a look at the control board
Now, if all the above fixes do not fix your dishwasher, chances are that the control board is acting up.
And one of the most common causes of this is a loose or broken wire connection. And, this is causing it to relay the wrong signal to the control board.
So, start by re-inserting any loose wire connection(s) and fixing/replacing any broken wire(s).
If the wire connections are not to blame, it might be that the control board is gone.
And as a result, it is misinterpreting the signal from the other electronics.
In this case, your best bet would be to replace the board – see current replacement control board prices.
Whirlpool dishwasher red light blinking – parting words
Remember, when purchasing a replacement control board, be sure to confirm that its part number matches that of the old board.
This way, you will be ensuring that the replacement board is compatible with your dishwasher.
ALSO READ