Kitchenaid dishwasher red light blinking [Fixed]

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If your kitchenaid dishwasher is flashing red light and won’t start a wash cycle, it simply means that something is wrong.

And depending on what the issue is, you can quickly resolve the fault and have your dishwasher operate properly again.

Now, below is what you should try if your Kitchenaid dishwasher red light is blinking

Just to be clear, the fix works for most kitchenaid dishwasher models and it is the first thing you should try before you make that potentially expensive service call.

Table of Contents

Kitchenaid dishwasher red light –what it signifies and fix

Before we look at the solution, understand that this is just an error code

That being so, you may ultimately need to find out what is the exact meaning of the error code and work on repairing (or replacing) the part that is causing the error code.

But that is not always necessary and sometimes you can resolve the problem by quickly resetting the appliance.

That being so, the first possible solution we suggest you try is resetting the machine.

How to reset Kitchenaid dishwasher

To perform a hard reset, all you have to do is unplug your appliance for about 5 minutes.

There is another option if unplugging it is not easy- turning off the circuit breaker to the unit again for 5 minutes will do the same thing.

Does this help?

If not, try the next procedure.

Troubleshooting Kitchenaid dishwasher red light flashing issue- fix #2

The next thing you should attempt to do is clearing the error code directly.

To do that, follow the procedure below:

Step 1: Press the “Power” button.

Step 2: Next, press the “Keylock” button and then “Start/Pause” button. You should continue holding both these buttons for about 5 seconds. You will notice the “Start/Pause” LED turn on.

Step 3: Now press “Start/Pause” button.

Here is what happens once you press “Start/Pause”:

The error code that is currently bedeviling the appliance appears on your dishwasher’s display followed by any previous error code.

So, what should you do?

Well, as mentioned above, you want to clear the troublesome error codes.

To accomplish this, simply press the “Keylock” button – this should clear whatever error code is currently there.

But don’t celebrate yet- you should press “Keylock” once more – this clears any previous error code.

Step 4: Leave the machine’s error codes display mode. All you need to do to exit the error display mode is press the “Power” button again.

Voila! You have just cleared the problematic error codes so check if the red light is now gone.

Kitchenaid dishwasher red light beeping -what else you should know

Here are other helpful tips to help you get ideas on where to start troubleshooting your appliance, if running the above procedures did not fix the issue (Depending on where the red light is illuminating).

Kitchenaid Dishwasher Beeping Red Light next to “Light/China” label

Select Kitchenaid Dishwasher models will be signifying motor problems by flashing a red light right next to their “Light/China” label.

How to test if your kitchenaid dishwasher motor is working (using a multimeter)

Locate your unit’s motor (check your owner’s manual)- the motor is typically located behind the lower kick-plate/access panel.
Remove the panel- you must first remove the screws securing the panel.

Keep in mind that in some cases, the dishwasher’s door must be opened to remove these screws (but you must again close the door to take out the panel.

Disconnect the motor’s 2 wire leads -from the wire harness.
Set the multimeter to R x 1 setting.
Touch each of your multimeter’s probes to a terminal. Your motor should be showing little resistance (zero reading or very close to zero).

You should now test the ground connection..

Now, for this test, you first place one of the probes on the bare metal-made housing of your motor.

Next, place the remaining probe on each of the terminals (1 at a time). No reading should be received on your multimeter from this test.

Here is the thing: If the motor does not pass either of these two tests, it needs to be replaced.

Just to point you in the right direction, this motor pump assembly fit perfectly into most KitchenAid dishwashers and can be a good choice.

Kitchenaid dishwasher red light blinking next to Rinse and Normal labels

A few Kitchenaid dishwasher models also alert you about electrical problems by flashing a red light right next to Normal and Rinse labels (both at the same time).

Usually, this occurs once your dishwasher activates the flood switch (some of these units sets off the flood switch error if the base drawer loses power commonly due to water flooding there).

Now, an easy solution here is removing the lower drawer then drying up the base area completely (use a hairdryer to dry up the tough spots)- don’t forget to flip the breaker off or to unplug it first.

After all is dried up completely, turn power back on then reinstall the lower drawer.

If you dried it properly, your dishwasher should stop beeping the red light next to the two labels.

Kitchenaid dishwasher red light illuminating next to Rinse and Heavy labels

If a red light is illuminating next to both Rinse and Heavy label, it is probably not filling with water the correct way.

Below is what you should check if this is happening:

· Check that water supply is indeed turned on.

· Check if there is a loose connection to the dishwasher’s fill valve/valve circuit – you need to test resistance all the harness connections (all) between fill valve and the control.

· Verify that the float switch is alright -it should not be stuck in the “overfill” position and it should be moving freely.

· Check that dishwasher is level- adjust as necessary.

· Check inlet for obstruction- the water line to the fill valve should be disconnected and anything obstructing the inlet removed.