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KitchenAid dishwasher not heating
Common reasons your KitchenAid dishwasher is not heating
The most common reasons your KitchenAid dishwasher is not heating are a defective electronic control board, faulty pump and motor assembly or a damaged user interface control.
32% of the time it's the Electronic Control Board
32% of the time it's the Pump and Motor Assembly
13% of the time it's the User Interface Control
23% of the time it's the Something else
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Most common repairs needed to fix a KitchenAid dishwasher
Electronic Control Board Replacement
When your dishwasher is not heating, it could have a defective electronic control board. The control board sends current to the heating element when it’s working properly. A failed relay or corrupted logic on the circuit board could prevent the control board from sending electrical current to the heating element. Determining whether an electronic control board is defective is difficult. Have a Sears Home Services Repair Expert visit your home and fix the dishwasher when it is not heating.
Pump and Motor Assembly Replacement
When a dishwasher isn't heating, a faulty pump and motor assembly could be causing the failure. Heated water won’t move through the spray arms and heat dishes during the cycle when the pump and motor assembly is bad. A faulty pump and motor assembly leaves more water in the sump and prevents air from heating properly in the dishwasher. When your dishwasher isn’t heating and dishes aren’t getting clean, have a Sears Home Services Technician visit your home and fix the dishwasher.
User Interface Control Replacement
When your dishwasher is not heating, a damaged user interface control could be causing the problem. The user interface control connects to the electronic control board through a wire harness and sends signals to the control board to help control the dishwashing cycle. A bad heat selection key on the user interface control can prevent the dishwasher from heating because you won’t be able to select a heat setting for the cycle. Have a Sears Home Services Repair Expert visit your home and replace the user interface control if it’s damaged.
Why is my KitchenAid dishwasher not getting hot?
A defective electronic control board, faulty high-limit thermostat, bad heating element or wiring failure are the common causes of a heating problem in a KitchenAid dishwasher.
Check the High-Limit Thermostat
The high-limit thermostat at the bottom of the dishwasher tub shuts off the heating element when it detects water temperature above 207 degrees Fahrenheit.
A defective high-limit thermostat trips at a cooler temperature, preventing the heating element from heating. With the electrical power disconnected from your dishwasher, you can check for electrical continuity through the high-limit thermostat using a multimeter.
If you measure no continuity at room temperature, the high-limit thermostat tripped and is defective.
This safe DIY video shows how to access and replace the high-limit thermostat in a KitchenAid dishwasher:
Use the procedure in this video to access the high-limit thermostat and replace that component if you measure no continuity through the thermostat spades.
Test the Heating Element
The heating element at the bottom of the dishwasher tub heats water during the wash and rinse cycles and air during the heated drying cycle.
Check the heating element and replace it if you see physical damage such as a cracked or broken element.
If you see no physical damage, you can test the element using a multimeter.
Access the heating element as shown in this safe DIY video:
Measure resistance through the element using a multimeter. You should measure between 10 and 40 ohms through the element.
If you measure no continuity through the element, replace it as shown in the above video.
If these tips don’t help you fix the problem with your KitchenAid dishwasher not heating, then a bad electronic control board or wiring failure could be causing the problem. You’ll likely need to have a service technician check the dishwasher for these failures.
What to expect when you experience a KitchenAid dishwasher not heating issue
How is the not heating problem fixed?
Correcting most not heating problems usually involves replacing the electronic control board, pump and motor assembly or user interface control. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.
Sears Home Services recommendations for a dishwasher that is not heating
When the dishwasher is not heating it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of dishwasher failures.
What to look out for with a dishwasher not heating diagnosis
Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your dishwasher problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.
When you need KitchenAid dishwasher repair, trust the pros at Sears Home Services to fix the problem.
When your KitchenAid dishwasher can’t heat for final rinse or sanitizing, a bad heating element or sensor is likely. Lukewarm cycles leave dishes less than pristine. Opt for dishwasher service near me.
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Thorough
James called to give an estimated arrival time. He was professional and personable. He had 2 professional ideas of the problem and found 1 was correct, but he didn't stop there. He did a thorough check of the appliance. 1 small part was needed. He ordered the part to my house. Fortunately, he was able to schedule for the next week, just before Thanksgiving. As before, he called ahead, arrived and quickly fixed the problem. My appliance is working perfectly.
Kirsten A, Oxford, PA
Service Call
Luke was great. Polite and knowledgeable even though the dishwasher was older than he!
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Daniel
Daniel went above and beyond to fix my dish washer. Very pleasant to deal with.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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If you've ever encountered a dishwasher with standing water, you understand the frustration of a drainage issue.
If the dishes in your dishwasher are no longer getting clean, it could be the spray arm is clogged.
Glossary Terms
A dishwasher impeller is a rotating component within the dishwasher's pump that circulates water throughout the unit during a wash cycle, ensuring efficient cleaning by spraying water at high pressure.
A dishwasher sump is located at the bottom of the dishwasher, serving as a collection point for water during the wash cycle. It houses the main pump and filter, facilitating the recirculation and drainage of water, essential for the cleaning process.
A dishwasher turbidity sensor is an advanced feature that measures the level of food particles and debris in the water, allowing the dishwasher to adjust the wash cycle length and water usage for optimal cleaning efficiency.
Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. It contrasts with soft water, which has lower concentrations of these minerals.