Blue - Washing In-Progress. Red - Drying In-Progress. White - Cycle Completed. Blinking - Cycle has paused.
Hi Brodie, for this Whirlpool - 24" Built-In Dishwasher the exterior status light on the front of the door panel will glow blue when washing, red while it is drying, and white when the cycle is complete.
A star or snowflake symbol means final rinse agent, or rinse aid. You'll typically see it on the lid of the rinse aid reservoir, located next to the detergent reservoir on the inside of the door. What's rinse aid?
The red light just means your control lock is engaged. You should just need to press and hold the "TOP RACK ONLY" button for 5 seconds to unlock the control panel and then you should be able to use the dishwasher again.
Dishwasher Program Symbols
If you don't notice a simple pot or pan symbol, check your dishwasher manual to see which is the Normal Cycle. The Intensive or Heavy Duty cycle is usually symbolised by a pot or pan with an underline. This cycle is best for pots and pans, and baked-on food messes.
The sun with the dotted rays is the dishwasher symbol for a lack of rinse aid. Rinse aid allows the dishes to dry better after the wash cycle and prevents limescale deposits. Once filled, the dishwasher doses the right amount for each wash cycle.
Light Wash: This is the cycle for everyday loads with soils that have not dried on, or for lightly soiled loads. It is similar to a Normal wash except that it has one less pre-rinse, saving about 2 gallons of water.
The flashing red light means the dishwasher thinks the door isn't closed. Try to flip the breaker off to the dishwasher or unplug the dishwasher for 60 seconds to reset the electronics. Open and close the door firmly and try the dishwasher again.
Pink slime, also known as biofilm, is a slimy, pink deposit that can form inside your commercial dishwasher or glasswasher. It's formed from microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, algae, that thrive in warm and moist environments, making glass and dishwashers a perfect breeding ground.
It is normal for the Clean light to stay on after the cycle is complete. The Clean light is an indication that the dishwasher has been run and the dishes inside it are clean. Once the door is opened after the cycle is complete, the light will shut off.
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 use a dishwasher without salt? It's not recommended, especially in hard water areas. Without salt, your dishes may come out less clean and with cloudy residues.
Red - Drying In-Progress.
If a red light is flashing it means that the machine has sensed that the machine is unbalanced or there are too many items. You will have to remove some of the clothes, unplug the appliance for at least 15 minutes, and re-try again.
If the Rinse aid (rinse refill) indicator is lit, it means the dishwasher is low on dishwasher rinse aid and requires a refill.
Experts say to check if dishes don't come out clean, glasses are cloudy, or the door doesn't latch.
In a Kitchen Aid dishwasher, a red lock symbol means that the control locked light is on. That is a way to lock the control panel. To fix it, press and hold the options key that says “Control Lock Hold 3 Sec" for 3 seconds, or if you have it, the option that says “CONTROL LOCK”.
How can you tell if your dishwasher is clogged? If it's not draining very well or if an inch or more of standing water consistently collects in the bottom of the tub, you likely have a clogged dishwasher.
Red, Pink or Orange Stains
This is generally caused by a tomato-based product, such as pasta sauce. Citric acid will not have an effect on red, pink or orange stains. This stain is not easily removed, but will fade over time.
The clean sensor sends a beam of light through the wash water, measures the clarity of that water and determines the amount water, temperature & time needed to clean the dish load. The clean sensor is made up of: Red "LED" light that shines a tiny beam of light through the water sample.
Dishwasher safe symbols often appear as a couple of circles, usually one smaller and one larger, representing plates. They look like they're being rained on, either with images of water droplets or diagonal lines. If you see this symbol, it means you can go ahead and put it in the dishwasher.
Average Lifespan of Dishwashers
According to reputed appliance repair technicians and manufacturers, the average home dishwasher lasts between 10 to 15 years with regular use and proper maintenance. Even an appliance from the best dishwasher brands will only last 15 to 20 years at most.