How to fix salt light on dishwasher?

Author: Shannon Harber  |  Last update: Friday, October 10, 2025

Emptying the salt container and refilling it is often enough to solve the problem. After emptying, run several rinsing cycles and check the function again.

How to fix salt light on dishwasher stays on?

Take the lid off the salt container and get as much water out as you can. Boil a kettle and tip it in. Leave it to soak and when cool switch on and see what happens. Bit of kettle descaler might help it along.

What does the salt light mean on my dishwasher?

When the salt light on your dishwasher comes on, it's time to refill. The salt reservoir is located on the inside of your appliance, below and to the left of the bottom dish rack. To access the reservoir, pull the bottom rack out and remove the protective cap of the salt reservoir.

Why is my dishwasher asking for salt?

Because your dishwasher has a water softener built into the machine and it requires salt tablets to maintain the regeneration cycle and keep the water softener efficient.

How to fix rinse aid light on dishwasher?

If you have put anything but rinse aid in the rinse aid container that is the casue for the light. And you will need to flush the container out. Please use either white vinegar or warm water to flush the unit out. Once it is clean out properly refill with rinse aid like jet dry.

How to add Salt to a Dishwasher if Dishwasher Salt Light is On or Dishwasher Salt Light is Flashing

Can vinegar replace rinse aid in dishwasher?

Vinegar can be used as a temporary fix if you run out of rinse aid, but prolonged use is not recommended. The acidity in vinegar can limit the cleaning power of the detergent and can also lead to premature deterioration of rubber seals and gaskets inside of your dishwasher.

How to reset a dishwasher?

Some models require you to shut off the power to the dishwasher either by unplugging it or shutting off the circuit breaker. Others are reset by pressing and holding the Start/Reset button on the control panel, then waiting a few moments before attempting to start a wash cycle.

Can you run a dishwasher without salt?

It depends on how hard your water is: Hard water: Your dishwasher needs dishwasher salt to clean as best as possible and prevent damage from limescale buildup. Moderately soft/slightly hard: All-in-one tabs are typically enough. Soft water: It's not necessary to add dishwasher salt.

How to get rid of salt in the dishwasher?

Run a short cycle with the dishwasher empty to rinse away any leftover salt and avoid corrosion.

Will a dishwasher work without rinse aid?

Not using rinse aid decreases the drying performance of your dishwasher. It might also leave water spots on your dishes, especially if you have hard water. How often should I put rinse aid in the dishwasher? When the rinse-aid refill light appears on the control panel, the rinse aid will suffice for one to two loads.

What happens if you don't put salt in a dishwasher?

What happens if I don't use dishwasher salt in my dishwasher? Not using dishwasher salt in your dishwasher can lead to limescale build-up on utensils, clog the internal mechanisms and pipes, reduce water flow, decrease cleaning effectiveness, and potentially damage your appliance.

What does it mean when the rinse aid light is on?

When the Rinse Refill indicator lights up on the control panel, refill the machine with rinse aid. The rinse aid improves the drying performance of the dishwasher. The liquid rinse is automatically added during rinsing, allowing for a clean wash without streaking.

Why is the salt indicator blinking on my LG dishwasher?

Check for salt solidification - if your 'low salt light' is flashing with plenty of salt in the tank, it's likely some salt has solidified near the bottom. Your softener is still going through recharges, but is having a tough time dissolving salt properly.

Why is the red light on my dishwasher salt?

When the salt light on your dishwasher comes on, it's time to refill. The salt container is located on the inside of your appliance, below and to the left of the bottom dish rack. To access the container, pull the bottom rack out and remove the protective cap of the salt container.

Why is the salt light flashing on my Whirlpool dishwasher?

Flashing slowly: Your softener's salt level is low. After adding more salt, visit our Salt Level Programming article to learn how to reset your salt level. Flashing slowly with 'SCHEDULED CLEAN' shown: Four months have passed, meaning it's time to use a bottle of Whirlpool® Water Softener Cleanser.

Why is my dishwasher leaving salt on everything?

The purpose of salt in your dishwasher is to soften the water, if you are not refilling your salt then the water will be hard and this will leave residue on your dishes. If you live in a hard water area, you may need to add salt and rinse aid with multi-tabs / "3 in 1" to achieve good dishwashing results.

Why does my dishwasher run but no water comes in?

There could be a few reasons why your dishwasher won't fill with water. It could be an improperly positioned drain hose, a door that's not fully closed, a water supply that's turned off or an overfill protection float that's got something stuck in it.

What is the salt symbol on the dishwasher?

Salt Refill Symbol

This symbol is usually some form of a stylised 's' and comes on as a reminder to refill the salt container. Salt softens hard water and prevents limescale build up in your dishwasher and on your dishes.

What to use instead of dishwasher salt?

Salts made for dishwashers are designed to soften the water, so it is important to find an alternative ingredient which has the same effect. If your appliance is low on salt and you're caught short, the best alternatives are large grained “kosher” salt or white vinegar.

Will the dishwasher stop working without salt in the whirlpool?

The resin inside the salt regeneration unit does not last indefinitely and uses dishwasher salt to regenerate it. If you are not adding dishwasher salt directly into the chamber, the resin will eventually deplete and no longer be effective.

How do I know if my dishwasher needs salt?

Most machines have an indicator light that will go on when you switch your machine on to let you know its running low on dishwasher salt. If the light is not on, this usually means that your machine has enough salt to wash another load of dishes.

Will unplugging a dishwasher reset it?

You can reset your dishwasher by unplugging it from its power source for one minute and then plugging it back in. If it's hardwired to a power supply or the plug is not easy to access, turn off the breaker for the dishwasher on your home's electrical panel and turn it back on after one minute.

How do I clear the error code on my dishwasher?

Here are the general steps to reset the error code:
  1. Step 1: Turn Off the Dishwasher. The first step is to turn off the dishwasher by pressing the power button or unplugging it from the power source. ...
  2. Step 2: Wait for a Few Minutes. ...
  3. Step 3: Turn On the Dishwasher. ...
  4. Step 4: Check for Error Code.

Why is my dishwasher light on but not working?

There are a few reasons your dishwasher might not start, but the most likely culprits include the door latch assembly, electric control timer, switch selection, and heat fuse. You will want to consult your owners manual to find manufacturer instructions on how to reset a dishwasher that has power but is not turning on.

Previous article
Can you over tighten a toilet?
Next article
What's the difference between a slab door and a prehung door?