KitchenAid dishwasher clean light blinking? It means your dishwasher detected a fault—usually heating, water pressure, or sensor related. Start by resetting the control board and checking the hot water supply.
What Does the KitchenAid Dishwasher Clean Light Blinking Mean?
When the clean light on your KitchenAid dishwasher blinks, it shows there is a fault or error. This usually relates to heating issues, inlet water temperature, or electronic sensor faults.
- The clean light flashing indicates that the control board halted the cycle due to a system error.
- Common problems include failed heating elements, faulty thermostats, or cold water at startup.
How to Reset a KitchenAid Dishwasher Blinking Clean Light
The quickest way to fix the blinking Clean light on your KitchenAid dishwasher is to reset the control board manually.
- Press High Temp Wash and then Heated Dry, repeating the sequence 4–5 times. This activates the diagnostic mode.
- All control panel lights should illuminate, showing the reset cycle is active.
- Press Cancel/Drain and shut the door to clear the error code and reset the dishwasher memory.
This simple reset process resolves most issues caused by a temporary software glitch or cold water delay.
How to Read the Clean Light Blinking Pattern
The number of Clean light flashes corresponds to a specific diagnostic code.
- Count how many times the Clean light blinks in a single cycle. Each flash pattern reveals the type of system error.
- Common patterns include:
- 7 blinks = Heating element not reaching temperature.
- 8 blinks = Water flow or inlet valve failure.
- Locate the technical sheet behind the bottom panel to identify your model’s error code definition.
Understanding the blink pattern meaning is key to targeted dishwasher troubleshooting.
Fix for KitchenAid Dishwasher Clean Light Flashing
Step 1: Start with a Full Dishwasher Reset
- Use the reset sequence to erase existing fault codes.
- Always close the door after initiating a cancel/drain cycle to let the control board reboot.
Step 2: Preheat Water Before Starting the Cycle
- Run your kitchen sink tap until the water is very hot—over 110°F.
- The dishwasher expects hot inlet water, and cold starts can trigger the Clean Light error.
Step 3: Check Water Flow and Pressure
- Use a measuring cup to check the water level after 10 minutes in the top rack.
- If the dishwasher has low water, inspect the inlet valve, supply line, and filter screen.
Step 4: Test Heating Element and Thermostat
- Disconnect power and use a multimeter to test the heating element (it should read 10–30 Ohms).
- The high-limit thermostat should show continuity below 1 ohm. Replace if faulty.
Step 5: Inspect Float Switch and Flow Meter
- A stuck float switch can trigger a filling error code.
- Inspect and clean the drip pan, as some models use a leak detection sensor linked to the Clean light.
Most Common Issues Triggering a KitchenAid Clean Light Flashing
- Faulty heating element: When it can’t reach target temps, the control board halts the cycle.
- Inlet valve clog: Restricts water pressure and causes cycle disruption.
- Float switch jam: Misleads the system into detecting water overflow or leak detection.
- Software glitch: Requires a control board reset to clear stored error codes.
- Cold water delay: Dishwasher assumes heater malfunction if water starts too cold.
Pro Tips to Prevent Clean Light Blinking on KitchenAid Dishwashers
- Always run hot water before starting the dishwasher to prevent temperature sensor errors.
- Clean the inlet valve screen monthly to avoid flow disruptions.
- Perform a manual reset cycle monthly to maintain control board health.
- Keep the filter and spray arms clean to optimize circulation and drying.
- Schedule professional maintenance yearly to avoid sensor and heater issues.
FAQs
Why is the Clean light flashing during the cycle?
The Clean light blinks when there’s a problem. This means the cycle did not finish because of heater or water system issues.
How do I fix the KitchenAid blinking Clean light?
Reset the control panel. Ensure hot water at startup. Also, inspect key parts like the inlet valve, heater, and float switch.
Can I stop the Clean light blinking without a repair?
Yes, often a reset and water preheat trick solve the issue without needing parts.
What parts might need replacing?
Common culprits are the heating element, thermostat, inlet valve, and main control board.
Final Summary:
The KitchenAid dishwasher clean light blinking usually means heating or water flow problems. Reset the unit, check hot water, and inspect critical components to resolve most issues. If problems persist, refer to error codes or contact support.
