The red "S" on a dishwasher stands for Salt. It illuminates as a reminder to refill your machine's built-in water softener reservoir with dishwasher salt.
Easy to recognize: the dishwasher salt symbol looks like an "S" for salt. When you see it, just fill up the container and your appliance will add the right amount with each rinse cycle. Salt softens hard water to protect your dishwasher and dishes from limescale deposits.
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.
Over time, food particles can accumulate and make your dishwasher smelly. Too many food particles stuck in your filter can also cause dirty water to back up in your dishwasher, another source of dishwasher odor. A clogged drain: After the filter, all water runs through the drain.
Hotpoint Dishwasher Symbols Explained
This icon depicting a letter S is the dishwasher salt symbol. If the light by this icon is lit, the salt is almost empty. If it is blinking, the dishwasher salt is empty, and it is time to refill.
Resetting a dishwasher error code usually takes just a few minutes. The easiest method is performing a power reset: turn off power to the dishwasher (unplug it or flip the dedicated circuit breaker), wait 1 to 5 minutes for the board to clear, and restore power.
The most common dishwasher fault is clogged or poor drainage. This occurs when food debris, grease, or foreign objects (like broken glass or food particles) block the primary drain filter, the drain hose, or the garbage disposal connection, leaving dirty, standing water at the bottom of the unit.
To balance a dishwasher, turn off the power and water, then remove the bottom access panel to access the leveling legs. Use a bubble level and a wrench to adjust the front and rear legs until the machine is perfectly plumb, ensuring proper drainage and operation.
To reset your dishwasher, simply perform a "hard reset" by turning off the power at the circuit breaker or unplugging the unit for 1 to 5 minutes. For an easier approach, locate the Start/Reset button on the control panel and hold it down for 3 to 5 seconds.
Common Dishwasher Error Codes and Their Meanings
Resetting a dishwasher control panel is usually just a matter of cycling the power or clearing a stuck button. Most control issues, error codes, or frozen cycles can be fixed by performing a "hard reset" or holding down the Start/Reset button for 3 to 5 seconds.
A rinse-only cycle typically lasts between 10 to 20 minutes for dishwashers. This cycle is designed to quickly spray and rinse dishes to prevent food from drying on or to remove residue without a full wash.
Your dishwasher is likely failing if you notice pooled water at the end of a cycle, persistent burning smells, or dishes consistently coming out dirty or cold. These issues often point to failing motors, faulty heating elements, or blocked pumps.
Dishwasher symbols fall into two main categories: dishware safety icons (found on plates, cups, and utensils) and appliance setting icons (found on the dishwasher itself).
Dishwasher salt softens the water entering your appliance, helping dishwasher detergent to dissolve during a wash cycle. Without dishwasher salt, the pipes and valves in your appliance can become clogged with limescale, leading to leaks and reduced water flow.
While you can physically place a dishwasher pod at the bottom of the machine, it is highly not recommended.
Check your drain hose to make sure it is properly secured to the sink or garbage disposal. The drain hose connects the dishwasher to your garbage disposal or sink and is either located under the sink or behind the dishwasher. If it is properly connected, make sure it is cleared of food or debris.
Misaligned dishwasher
To fix this issue, use a bubble level to confirm that the machine is level. If it isn't, you can rotate the feet counter-clockwise to lengthen them and clockwise to shorten them to help even out the machine.
The average dishwasher lasts 9 to 12 years. With meticulous maintenance and light usage, some high-end or European models (like Bosch) can stretch up to 15 years, while cheaper models or those run daily may wear out in 7 to 9 years.
You can repair minor dishwasher problems yourself, such as loose door latches, clogs, or dirty spray arms. More complicated dishwasher repairs are best left to professional plumbers.
If your dishwasher is not working, you may want to consider these potential causes:
To hard reset a dishwasher, cut off its power to clear the control board's memory. Unplug the unit or turn off the dedicated circuit breaker in your home's electrical panel. Wait at least 1 to 5 minutes before restoring power, then select your cycle and press Start.
We have decades of experience selling dishwashers, so thought it would be interesting to get our appliance experts in a room and debate the lifespans you can expect from different dishwasher brands - this is what we came up with: Zenith dishwashers: 6 years. Hotpoint dishwashers: 6-7 years. Beko dishwashers: 7 years.
To shut off the power to a dishwasher that's hardwired, visit your home's electrical panel and turn off the breaker to your dishwasher for one minute, then switch it back on. For dishwashers plugged into an outlet, simply unplug the dishwasher for one minute, then plug it back in.