How to Reset a Dishwasher: Bosch, Whirlpool, GE and Other Brands

To reset a dishwasher, switch off its circuit breaker or unplug it for about a minute, then restore the power. That clears a frozen control on almost any brand. Most brands also have a button sequence that cancels the cycle and drains the water, and knowing yours can save a trip to the breaker panel. A reset clears a glitch, not a failed part, so if the same problem or code comes back, the dishwasher needs a repair.

A word on safety. A power reset is safe on any dishwasher. If there is water on the floor around it, switch off the breaker before you touch the dishwasher, and never remove the kick plate or reach under the door with the power on. Many dishwashers are hard-wired with no plug, so the breaker is the only way to cut the power. If yours is not labeled, find it before you need it.

How to reset a dishwasher on any brand

1. Cancel the cycle, if the buttons respond. Use your brand's cancel or reset sequence below, and let the dishwasher finish draining.
2. Cut the power. Unplug the dishwasher, or switch off its breaker if it is hard-wired or the plug is out of reach.
3. Wait. Manufacturers' times run from 30 seconds (GE, Bosch's error code list and Whirlpool's error code pages) to about 1 minute (Whirlpool's general reset). Waiting a full minute covers all of them.
4. Restore the power. Close the door firmly, choose a cycle and press Start.
5. Test it. Run a short cycle with no dishes to make sure the problem has cleared before you load it again.

Before you reset, write down any code on the display, or count the flashing lights. It tells the technician where to look if the problem comes back.

Check these before you reset

Some "frozen" dishwashers are working exactly as designed. A reset will not change these:

• Control lock. Whirlpool says a lit lock icon means the control lock is on, and on its models the Control Lock light flashes three times if you press a button while the controls are locked. Unlock it as your manual shows, often by holding one button for about 3 seconds.
• Delay start. A dishwasher with a delay set will not run until the delay time is reached. Cancel the delay (Cancel/Drain on Whirlpool models) and start again.
• Sleep mode. If unlocking does not wake a Whirlpool panel, Whirlpool says to press Start/Resume or Cancel, or open and close the door.
• A door that is not latched. GE says a beep every 30 seconds or every minute means the door was unlatched during a cycle; closing it resumes the cycle and stops the beeping.

For more on these, see dishwasher won't start.

Bosch dishwasher reset

Bosch's cancel-and-drain sequence uses the Reset button (Reset 4 sec. on some models) or the Start button, and Bosch's error code list uses a 30-second breaker reset for its electronic fault codes. The full steps are in our Bosch dishwasher reset steps, next to what each Bosch code means.

Whirlpool, Maytag and KitchenAid dishwasher reset

Whirlpool's reset starts with Cancel (Cancel/Drain on many models) and a power cut of about a minute, and leak codes such as F8E4 clear with two presses of Cancel. Maytag and KitchenAid use the same 30-second power cycle for their error codes. The full steps, and the flashing light chart, are in our Whirlpool dishwasher reset steps.

GE dishwasher reset

On GE models with a Start/Reset pad, GE's steps for beeping or blinking lights are:

1. Press Start/Reset and wait 2 minutes to see whether the beeping or blinking stops.
2. If it does not, turn off power to the dishwasher at the circuit breaker or fuse box for 30 seconds, then restore it.
3. If the dishwasher still beeps or blinks after that, service may be needed.

A blinking Start/Reset light on its own is not a fault. It means the dishwasher has been reset and is turning off, and it blinks for 75 to 90 seconds, depending on the model.

Frigidaire, Samsung and other brands

The power reset above is the safe step for every brand. For the button sequence that cancels a cycle on your model, check the owner's manual. For a Frigidaire, see our Frigidaire reset steps, which cover the dishwasher, and the same guide explains Frigidaire dishwasher codes such as i20 and PF.

When a reset won't fix it

• The same code comes back. The code points to a condition or a part, such as a blocked drain or a failed pump, and the reset only cleared the memory.
• The panel stays dark after a breaker reset. Power is not reaching the controls. A thermal fuse, the control board or a wiring connection is the usual cause; see dishwasher won't start.
• Water is still in the tub after a cancel and drain. That is a drain problem; start with our dishwasher not draining checklist.
• A leak code returns. Codes such as Whirlpool F8E4 or Bosch E15 mean water has reached the base. A reset may silence the alarm, but the leak is still there; see dishwasher leaking from the bottom.
• It locks up after every storm. Power surges are hard on electronics, and a control board that keeps freezing may be failing. Our dishwasher repair page explains how a diagnostic visit works.
• The lights are on but nothing starts. Go back to the checks above: control lock, delay start, sleep mode and the door latch.

What usually fails when a reset doesn't help

• Control board. Dead or erratic controls, often after a power surge.
• User interface or touchpad. The lights come on, but some buttons do nothing.
• Door latch or switch. The dishwasher acts as if the door is open.
• Drain pump. Drain codes that return, or water left in the tub.
• Water inlet valve. Fill codes that return with the water fully on.

What it costs in Atlanta

The diagnostic is $80, waived when you approve the repair. Dishwasher repairs start at $180 plus parts, and you get a written flat-rate estimate before any work begins. On standard brands, typical dishwasher repairs run about $250 to $430 all in, with circulation pumps and control boards at the higher end; premium brands run higher. See typical total costs. The repair is done on the first visit when the part is in stock, and every repair carries our 60-day parts-and-labor warranty. For an older dishwasher, see our repair-or-replace guide.

Schedule a visit or read about our dishwasher repair service. Prefer to talk? Call (470) 778-4087.