Kenmore dishwasher error codes

The Kenmore brand of home appliances belongs to Sears Holdings Corporation. The products are manufactured by several companies including Whirlpool, GE, LG, and Electrolux.

If there is something wrong with your Kenmore dishwasher, you may be tempted to book a professional to take care of the issue for you. Still, why not try troubleshooting the appliance on your own? Just check the dishwasher for an error code and perform the actions suggested in the tables below.

Error Code	Condition	Check/Repair
Clean light blinks 7 times	Heater circuit failure. Control didn't detect the expected rise in water temperature when the heating element was energized to heat water during the cycle.	Check the heating element and related components (wiring and control board) in that circuit
Console light blinks rapidly	The control detects a stuck button on the control panel.	A failed control panel or a bad electronic control board can cause this code. Check the buttons on the control panel using a volt/ohm meter. In most cases, the control panel needs to be replaced.
Start/Resume light blinks slowly	If the dishwasher door is opened or power is interrupted during the cycle, the dishwasher won't start again until the door is detected as closed and the Start/Resume button is pressed.	Check the door latch and switch assembly. A failure in the Start/Resume button also can cause this problem.
Clean light stays on	The dishwasher won't start a new cycle unless it detects that the door opened after the previous cycle.	Turn off power to the dishwasher by shutting off the breaker and restarting. If that does not work, the door switch assembly is stuck and must be replaced.
Control lock LED is on but not accepting key presses	Accidentally turned on or control detected keypad problem.	Press the Heated Dry key for 5 seconds to turn off control lock feature. If that doesn't work, replace keypad.
Sanitized LED blinks at end of cycle	Control could not confirm Sanitation achieved.	Check voltage to the dishwasher and the temperature of incoming water. Check the diverter motor, the heater and the OWI/thermistor

Error Code	Condition	Check/Repair
1-1	The electronic control board detects a stuck relay on its circuit board.	Shut off power to the dishwasher for 5 minutes. If the code resumes when you restore power, have a service technician check the wiring and components. If the wiring and components are in working order, replace the electronic control board.
1-2	Damaged or corrupted memory on control board. Incompatible software components inside microprocessor.	Shut off power to the dishwasher for 5 minutes. If the code resumes when you restore power, replace the electronic control board.
2-1	The electronic control board detected a stuck key on the control panel.	See if any keys work. If no keys work or the control panel is damaged, replace the electronic control panel. If the control panel works, the problem might be with the electronic control board.
2-2	The electronic control board detects no communication from the control panel.
3-1	Either there's a break in the wiring or the thermistor/OWI component failed. (The thermistor is the water temperature sensor, the OWI is the Optical Water Indicator that detects the amount of debris in the water.)	Shut off power to the dishwasher and then check the wiring for the thermistor/OWI circuit. If the circuit wiring is undamaged, replace the thermistor/OWI component.
3-2	The thermistor/OWI circuit is electrically shorted, (The thermistor is the water temperature sensor, the OWI is the Optical Water Indicator that detects the amount of debris in the water.)
3-3	OWI fails (the OWI is the Optical Water Indicator that detects the amount of debris in the water)	Shut off power to the dishwasher and clean the OWI. If the code resumes when you restore power, replace the OWI
4-1	No communication between the electornic control board and the wash pump motor	Shut off power to the dishwasher and then check the wiring from the control board to the wash pump motor. If the wiring is undamaged, replace the wash pump. If the problem persists, replace the electronic control board.
4-2	Communication error between the electronic control board and the wash pump motor
5-1	Door won't latch shut	Press the Start button and immediately close the door. If the code continues, shut off power to the dishwasher and check the door latch mechanism and the wiring attached to the door switch. If the latch mechanism and the wiring are intact, replace the door switch.
5-2	Door won't open	Check the wiring in the door switch. If the wiring is undamaged, replace the door switch.
6-1	The electronic control board doesn't detect water entering the dishwasher tub.	Shut off power and then water to the dishwasher. Check the water supply for proper flow and pressure. Check the wiring to the water inlet valve. If the wiring and the water supply are in working order, replace the water inlet valve.
6-2	Water inlet valve has an electrical problem.	Shut off power and then water to the dishwasher. Check the water supply for proper flow and pressure. Check the wiring to the water inlet valve. If the wiring and the water supply are in working order, replace the water inlet valve. If the problem continues, replace the electronic control board.
6-3	Suds or air are in the water pump	Check the water fill level and check for suds in the fill water at the bottom of the tub. if the fill level is too low, replace the water inlet valve. If there's excessive sudsing, check the detergent dispenser and replace if it's damaged
6-4	The float switch is open	Check the overfill float switch to see if it's stuck or if an item is stuck under it. Check if the inlet water fill valve is properly shutting off the water supply when the dishwasher is off.
6-6	Incoming water is too cold	Use an accurate thermometer to check the water temperature. If it's lower than 110 degrees F, check your water heater. If the water temperature is normal (110 to 120 degrees F), replace the thermistor/OWI or the electronic control board.
6-7	Disconnected or damaged flow meter	Shut off power to the dishwasher. Check the wiring to the flow meter. If the wiring is intact, replace the flow meter.
6-8	Problem with water softener regeneration valve	Shut off power to the dishwasher. Check the wiring to the water softener regeneration valve. If the wiring is intact, replace the water softener regeneration valve.
7-1	Heating element doesn't work	Shut off power to the dishwasher. Inspect the heating element and replace it if it's visibly damaged. If not, check the wiring to the heating element. If the wiring is intact, replace the heating element.
7-2	Heating element won't shut off	Shut off power to the dishwasher for 5 minutes. If the code resumes when you restore power, replace the electronic control board.
8-1	Slow drain	Shut off power to the dishwasher and then shut off water. Check the drain path for an obstruction. If the drain path is clear, check the wiring on the drain pump. If the wiring is intact, replace the drain pump.
8-2	Drain pump electrical problem	Shut off power to the dishwasher and then shut off water. Check the wiring on the drain pump. If the wiring is intact, replace the drain pump.
9-1	Electronic control board can't detect the position of the diverter	The diverter directs the water through the lower spray arm or the upper spray arm. Turn off power to the dishwasher and then check the wiring going to the diverter motor. If the wiring is intact, replace the diverter.
9-2	Diverter is stuck on	Remove the lower dishrack and the lower spray arm. Disassemble the sump. Check the diverter disk and replace if visibly damaged.
10-1	Dispenser electrical problem	Shut off power to the dishwasher. Remove the outer door panel and check the wiring in the detergent dispenser circuit. If the wiring is intact, replace the detergent dispenser.
10-2	Vent wax motor electrical problem	Shut off power to the dishwasher. Check the wiring in the vent wax motor circuit. If the wiring is intact, replace the vent wax motor.
10-3	Drying fan problem	Shut off power to the dishwasher. Check the wiring in the drying fan circuit. If the wiring is intact, replace the drying fan.