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We share a few pro Kitchenaid dishwasher control board troubleshooting ideas in this guide to help you fix your Kitchenaid dishwasher..
If some of the buttons on your Kitchenaid dishwasher have suddenly stopped working, the most probable culprit is the control board.
And so you can try the Kitchenaid dishwasher control board troubleshooting tips we share in this article instead of going through professional service (which is super expensive).
Let’s get into it:
Kitchenaid dishwasher control board troubleshooting –fixes you can try by yourself
To begin with, below are the telltale signs that your control board is having serious problems:
Kitchenaid dishwasher buttons not working (Some buttons not working and more buttons are failing as the weeks go by)
For example, while only the smart wash button was having issues at the beginning, you have noticed the problem expanding gradually to other buttons.
If this is the trend, you can be pretty sure that over a period of a few months, all the buttons will stop responding (meaning the control panel may go completely dead).
None of the lights on the control panel comes on (Nothing works, no lights)
While all has been well so far, you suddenly wake up to a control panel that won’t light up at all (None of the LED lights come on; not even start or cancel).
And you’re sure it is not a power issue (you have checked the breaker, fuses, and everything else explained in our Kitchenaid dishwasher starting problems troubleshooting guide).
Even recycling power to the unit has proved futile.
Unusual LEDs (or display readouts )
If you view unusual blinking of the LED lights or strange readouts –for example “J”- on the display, then the control board could be defective.
Quick Tip: In some instances, the dispenser won’t work when the control board is faulty.
Kitchenaid dishwasher control board repair- Fixes you should try
Try to reset the control panel
An easy fix to try before everything else is performing a Kitchenaid dishwasher control panel reset
If you don’t know how to do this, follow our Kitchenaid dishwasher reset sequence (Reset procedure) guide
Perform a general inspection and fix what you find necessary
Procedure:
- Unplug the dishwasher (or disconnect power).
- Check the key-pad ribbon tail for issues such as broken/shorted/corroded/creased traces.
- Next, check for loose connections to the control and fix any.
- You then check for any evidence of contamination or corrosion around the keypad perimeter, on the key-pad ribbon tail, and/or on the unit’s keypad connector (at the control). Try to clear the contaminants or corrosion.
Replace the Control Board
For the most part, the solution that will ultimately eliminate your control board problems is to replace the part (try this if you suspect that your Kitchenaid dishwasher control board is burned).
If you want to go down that route, we recommend the Whirlpool W10243209 replacement control board
This genuine replacement part comes with the touchpad plus new connectors and all you need to do is just remove the circuit-board from your old part and plug it in the new one.
Removing the broken part is pretty simple – You typically need to remove 4-6 torx screws then unhook the wiring to get it out.
Don’t panic if you have zero previous experience in this type of work – there are several step-by-step instructional videos on YouTube that you will find helpful (Here is one).
Keep in mind that even though the part is labeled Kenmore, the part fits on many dishwasher brands made by Whirlpool including Kitchenaid, Maytag, etc.
Quick Tip: Type your model number on the AmazonConfirmedFit pop-up to check if it works for your specific dishwasher if unsure whether or not the component would work on your machine before ordering.
Image: AmazonConfirmedFit screenshot
Of course, you can always return electronics to Amazon if you have somehow made the wrong choice.
It goes without saying that you need to eliminate all other potential causes of the fault before going for the replacement part.
Kitchenaid dishwasher control board troubleshooting – Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How do i reset my Kitchenaid dishwasher control board?
To reset the board (and you should try this first when troubleshooting control board defects), simply recycle power to the unit.
Please follow our Kitchenaid dishwasher reset sequence (Reset procedure) guide for the exact steps.
How do i know if my dishwasher control board is bad?
In most cases, the buttons stop working or start to work intermittently.
The other major sign of a burned control board is LED lights that wont light up at all when you try to start the dishwasher.
When it comes to fixing the issue, be sure to first try to reset the part as explained earlier (it is not always dead and it may be malfunctioning due to a programming fault).
Can the touch pad be purchased separately (instead of the whole board)?
The straight answer is No.
The buttons -if you feel that they are the culprits- are not available as a separate part.
You need to replace the entire control assembly since it holds all the components.
ALSO READ: Kitchenaid dishwasher touchpad not working [Solved]
Wrap up
If all your Kitchenaid dishwasher control board troubleshooting attempts have been unsuccessful, replacing the control board will often do the trick.
The part is not that pricey so it is a sooooooooooooo much better decision economically than buying a brand new dishwasher!
Do that and you will be glad to have your dishwasher up and running once more.
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