Are your Whirlpool dishwasher buttons not working, and you don’t know why? Are you thinking of calling Whirlpool or perhaps the local dishwasher technician? Don’t just yet, as it could be something you can fix.
Your Whirlpool dishwasher buttons aren’t working because of a lack of power, an unlocked door, an enabled Control Lock, stuck buttons, a program jam, an error code, a clogged trap & filter assembly, a defective control panel or main control board, or a wiring fault.
Once you determine which of these ten issues affect your dishwasher, you can troubleshoot it with help. And if you are successful, you won’t have to pay an expert or wait in line for Whirlpool to return your call or email.
On that note, this Whirlpool dishwasher troubleshooting guide will enable you to fix your non-responsive buttons and other related issues. Let’s jump in!
In a hurry? Below are the quick fixes to the ten issues I mentioned earlier:
Whirlpool Dishwasher Buttons Not Working – Quick Troubleshooting Guide
| Likely Cause | Fix | |
| 1. | Lack of Power | Fix any power issue to turn on the dishwasher |
| 2. | Unlocked Door | Ensure the dishwasher latches firmly –replace a defective micro switch or door latch |
| 3. | Control Lock | Disable Control Lock |
| 4. | Stuck Buttons | Clean round the control panel with an ammonia-based cleaner |
| 5. | Program Jam | Reset the dishwasher |
| 6. | Error Code | Reset the dishwasher and if the code doesn’t clear, consult the manual |
| 7. | Clogged Trap & Filter Assembly | Clean the trap & filter assembly |
| 8. | Defective Control Panel | Replace the control panel if some buttons aren’t responsive |
| 9. | Defective Main Control Board | Replace the main control if none of the buttons is responsive |
| 10. | Faulty Wiring | Call a pro |
Why Are My Whirlpool Dishwasher Buttons Not Responding?
Consider the ten issues shared below if your Whirlpool dishwasher buttons won’t respond when pressed:
1. Lack of Power
Don’t expect your dishwasher buttons to respond or the dishwasher to start if there’s no power. In that case, check if the dishwasher has turned on. If it hasn’t, watch out for these issues:
- Loose or damaged power cord – If the power cord is not firmly fixed onto the socket or it’s defective, the dishwasher won’t get any power, and the buttons will become non-responsive.
- Tripped breaker – The circuit breaker might be off; whose job is to cut off the dishwasher from the circuit during a power surge to prevent it from overheating and burning. If it is off, your dishwasher won’t have power, making the buttons non-responsive.
- Defective socket – The dishwasher won’t power on if the power outlet is faulty. And if it doesn’t power on, the buttons won’t work.
- Blown-up fuse – The thermal fuse blows up during an increased power charge to protect the dishwasher. But as with a tripped circuit breaker, a blown-up fuse also cuts off the dishwasher’s power supply, making the buttons non-responsive.
Fix
Firmly plug in the power cord in the electric outlet. If it looks damaged, replace it. You can even check it with a multimeter to check its continuity. If it doesn’t, that’s the proof that you should replace it.
Check the breaker for tripping and reset it if it’s off. Then use the multimeter again on the socket and fuse to see if they both have electrical continuity. If one of them doesn’t, replace it.
2. Unlatched Door
Your dishwasher’s buttons might not be responsive because the dishwasher thinks the door is still open. Perhaps you haven’t firmly latched it, or it could be that a dish rack is impeding it. In worst cases, it could be that the micro switch is defective or the door latch is broken.
Fix
Check if the dish rack is impeding the door and remove it. If nothing obstructs it, test the micro switch’s electrical continuity with a multimeter and replace it if it has no continuity.
If the microswitch is fine, inspect the door latch. The chances are that it’s broken; if so, replace it.
3. Control Lock
The Control Lock function on the dishwasher disables the entire control panel apart from the power button. In that case, the buttons won’t respond, and the control panel will light up.
Ideally, the Control Lock should be active when preventing unintended access to the dishwasher, especially by kids. So, if that’s not the goal, the safety feature shouldn’t be on.
Fix
Disable Control Lock by pressing it for a few seconds until the light goes off.
4. Stuck Buttons
Sometimes dirt, grease, and food accumulate under the buttons, making them non-responsive. So, check if it’s a case of a stuck control panel.
Fix
If dirt, food, or any filth beneath or around the buttons, clean the control panel, possibly with an ammonia-based cleaner. Ammonia is quite effective but can be corrosive. So, you should wear safety gloves when handling it.
5. Program Jam
Sometimes the issue is more of a programming fault. The dishwasher may suffer an electronic glitch. Once that happens, it may fail to start. It, however, doesn’t mean that the buttons have an issue.
Fix
Reset the dishwasher. Just unplug it for at least 60 seconds or flip it on and off and wait for 60 seconds. Then restore its power before starting it. Alternatively, press Start/Reset on your dishwasher if the dishwasher has this reset button option.
You will most likely fix the issue and get the dishwasher starting and the buttons responsive.
6. Error Code
An error code sometimes prevents the dishwasher from starting. If it doesn’t start, the buttons become non-responsive. So, check if there is an error code, as it could be the cause of the issue.
Fix
Reset the dishwasher to see if the error code will clear. Suppose it doesn’t; consult your dishwasher manual to see what the error means and how to remove it.
7. Clogged Trap & Filter Assembly
The Trap & Filter Assembly causes the water pump to malfunction when it clogs up with dirt. That may happen over time, and if the water pump fails to run, the dishwasher buttons will become non-responsive. That’s why it’s advisable to clean the dishwasher routinely.
Fix
Clean the trap & filter assembly if clogged to ensure the water pump runs smoothly.
8. Defective Control Panel (Whirlpool Dishwasher Some Buttons Not Working)
Are some of the buttons responding while others aren’t? Is the display lighting up? If yes, then the control panel is highly likely defective. In such a case, it may be hard for the dishwasher to run, let alone change the settings.
Fix
Replace the dishwasher if some buttons are non-responsive, but the display works fine.
9. Defective Main Control Board
While some buttons are responsive when the control panel is defective, all the buttons are non-responsive when the main control board is faulty. What’s more, there won’t be any light.
Fix
Replace the main control buttons if all buttons are non-responsive and there’s no light. But first, you must rule out a power issue as it presents with the same signs.
10. Electrical Wiring Fault
Lastly, the issue with your dishwasher could be an electrical fault. There could be a wiring issue that won’t allow communication between the buttons and the control board.
Fix
Call a dishwasher pro as the last option to check for any wiring issue and fix it.
Other Issues
Whirlpool Dishwasher Start Button Not Working
If the Whirlpool dishwasher start button is not working, the cause is more likely one of these:
- The dishwasher lacks power
- The control Lock is active and thus prevents the dishwasher from starting
- An unlatched door – which also doesn’t allow the dishwasher to run
- The water supply might be off
- The start button could be stuck (dirt-clogged)
Whirlpool Dishwasher Push Buttons Not Working
If the push button, sometimes known as the on/off switch or the power button, is unresponsive, the issue could be power-related. The dishwasher might not have power due to a tripped breaker, a loose power cord, or a power blackout.
It could also be an unlatched dishwasher door or a defective touchpad. So, consider all these three issues and fix them appropriately.
Whirlpool Dishwasher Cycle Buttons Not Working
If the dishwasher cycle buttons are non-responsive, it’s most likely due to one of these issues:
- A defective touchpad
- An unlatched door
- Active Control Lock
- The lack of power
- The lack of power
However, consider resetting the dishwasher first before contemplating the above issues.
People Also Ask
1. Does My Whirlpool Dishwasher Have a Reset Button?
Most Whirlpool dishwashers don’t have the reset button. A few of them, however, have this button labeled as Start/Reset on the control panel. For those that lack the reset button, you can reset them by unplugging them for at least 1 minute.
2. Where Is the Reset Button On Whirlpool Dishwasher?
Not all Whirlpool dishwashers have the reset button. You can, however, find it on the control panel if it exists. If it doesn’t, you can reset the dishwasher by plugging it out for at least 60 seconds and restarting it.
3. Why Are the Buttons On My Dishwasher Not Working?
Your dishwasher buttons might not be working for different reasons. The commonest ones include the lack of power, an active Control Lock, an unlatched door, a stuck control panel, or a defective touchpad. The control panel as a whole could also be faulty, or it could be the main control board.
4. How Do I Reset the Control Panel On My Whirlpool Dishwasher?
You can reset the Whirlpool dishwasher’s control panel by plugging it out or flipping its breaker on and off and waiting for at least 30 seconds. Then restore power and restart the dishwasher to see if it works.
Closing Remarks:
Now you know what to check when dealing with Whirlpool dishwasher buttons not working. Start by ensuring the dishwasher has power, its door is shut, and Control Lock is off. Then reset it to fix a program jam or error code and clean a clogged trap & filter assembly.
And if the buttons are still non-responsive, inspect the control panel and main control board for fault, and if you still can’t fix it, call a dishwasher professional to check faulty wiring.