How to Reset a Kenmore Dishwasher?

Dishwashers are supposed to make life easier by washing and rinsing your plates and cutlery. However, as time goes on, you might find your dishwasher going through technical difficulties, such as not being able to complete an entire wash cycle. If your Kenmore dishwasher is on the fritz, how do you reset it?

If your Kenmore dishwasher doesn’t work like it used to, you can try resetting it. To do this, hit these buttons in order 3 times: Select Cycle, Options, Heated Dry. When the Cancel light turns on, press the button. This will cause the dishwasher to enter the 12-minute test cycle.

For the most part, this generic solution will solve any technical issues your dishwasher experiences. However, there’s a chance that it might not work or that it won’t even boot back up. In this guide, I’ll show you how to troubleshoot your Kenmore dishwasher in more than one way.

Why Should You Reset a Kenmore Dishwasher?

Like all dishwashers, Kenmores are not failproof, especially if the machine is over 5 years old. The longer you own a dishwasher, the more prone it will be to failing due to filter blockages, drain line issues, or even possibly system errors.

If you notice your Kenmore dishwasher slowing down or stopping mid-cycle, it might be time to reset the machine. Most of the time, inputting the reset instructions will resolve the issue, so this should be your go-to method for restoring the dishwasher’s factory settings.

How to Reset a Kenmore Dishwasher

You can find the instructions on how to reset a Kenmore dishwasher in the paperwork that came with the unit. If you lost the owner’s manual or bought the dishwasher second-hand, you can look for a PDF version of the document on the Kenmore website.

The method of resetting a Kenmore dishwasher will vary from model to model, which is why it’s crucial that you scan the paperwork for the exact instructions. However, the following reset inputs will work on the majority of Kenmores.

Turn the unit off and remove the dishracks. Make sure the dishwasher is still plugged into a wall. Now, turn it back on to enter standby mode.
Input the Test Cycle button sequence by pressing Select Cycle, Options, and Heated Dry 3 times.
Hit the Cancel button when the red light turns on. After doing so, you will hear a slight hum coming from inside the dishwasher. DO NOT OPEN AND DISENGAGE THE DISHWASHER DOOR LATCH.
Wait roughly 12 minutes or until the humming noises stop.
Reinstall the dishracks and run a test wash-and-rinse cycle to determine whether or not the dishwasher is functional.

How to Reset Kenmore Elite, Ultra Wash, and Quiet Guard Dishwashers?

Kenmore offers different dishwasher series with vastly different reset button sequences. Below, I’ll explain how you can reset Elite, Ultra Wash, and Quiet Guard dishwashers.

Kenmore Elite

Turn the unit off, making sure the plug is still connected to a wall outlet.
Turn the unit on and remove the dishracks. Make sure the dishwasher is still plugged into a wall outlet. Now, turn it back on to enter standby mode.
Press the 1, 2, 3 buttons in order 3 times in quick succession. If there is even one second of delay between pressing each button, you will have to restart the sequence from the beginning.
The Elite dishwasher will enter Test Mode automatically. Wait for the cycle to finish—roughly 5 minutes.
When Test Mode is completed, reinsert the dishracks and give the dishwasher a test cycle to determine whether or not the dishwasher is functional.

Kenmore Ultra Wash

Turn the unit off, making sure the plug is still connected to a wall outlet.
Turn the unit on and remove the dishracks. Make sure the dishwasher is still plugged into a wall outlet. Now, turn it back on to enter standby mode.
Press the Normal Wash, Heated Wash buttons in rapid succession 2 times, not allowing for 1 second to pass between button presses.
All of the control panel’s backlights will turn on while performing a brief Test Cycle, and water will begin flowing into the dishwasher. If water doesn’t flow, then you will need to check the water valve.
Leave the dishwasher alone until all of the lights turn off automatically.
Reinsert the dishracks and give the dishwasher a test cycle to determine whether or not the dishwasher is functional.

Kenmore Quiet Guard

Turn the unit off, making sure the plug is still connected to a wall outlet.
Turn the unit on and remove the dishracks. Make sure the dishwasher is still plugged into a wall out. Now, turn it back on to enter standby mode.
Hit the Sani Rinse and Heated Dry buttons in that order 2 times. This will cause all of the control panel’s lights to flash on before turning back off, with only a few lights remaining on. This will enter the dishwasher in Self-Diagnostic Mode.
Wait 30-60 seconds for the water to begin flowing into the dishwasher. If it doesn’t, check the water valve.
Leave the machine alone for 12 minutes or until it stops automatically.
Reinsert the dishracks and give the dishwasher a test cycle to determine whether or not the dishwasher is functional.

Why Won’t My Kenmore Dishwasher Start a New Cycle?

After running a Test Cycle, the Kenmore dishwasher should either return to standby mode or shut off completely. If you are unable to turn it back on, you will need to check the following.

Power Source—Is the circuit breaker switch on? Is the power cord plugged in? If not, then you will need to turn on the power to your dishwasher.

Door Issues—Is the dishwasher door shut completely? Oftentimes, especially in older models, the microswitch on the door latch can malfunction, and the dishwasher will be unable to receive new cycle orders.

Error Code—If the dishwasher is on but shows an error code on the control panel’s display, consult the manual to see how to troubleshoot each of the problems. You can find a series of error codes in the owner’s manual.

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