How to Enter The Diagnostic Mode of Whirlpool Dishwasher?

Starting right from turning the dishwasher on, pressing the rinse-button cycle, holding it to the start button, and flashing the lights to set on-congrats!

You’re good to go with the diagnostic testing mode.

Whirlpool is a renowned brand in the cleaning world with some high-performance dishwashers for maintaining your kitchen mess-free.

Sometimes things may get wrong, and your dishwasher may show any error code -that’s hard to identify, no doubt.

Turning the diagnostic mode on might help you identify the error to replace that part.

The diagnostic mode is set to check the error codes when the dishwasher isn’t working properly.

Did you notice any flashlights blinking on the front control panel of your dishwasher?

Sadly speaking, your dishwasher is on its way to a significant fault that may cause severe damages.

The lights will blink in a particular sequence that will let you identify a particular error -the faulty part that needs replacement.

Here we have got you the detailed guide to set your Whirlpool dishwasher onto the diagnostic mode and the possible errors your unit may have been facing.

Let’s get right into the business!

The Importance of Diagnostic Mode:

Once you turn your dishwasher to the diagnostic mode, you’ll see the sequence of flashing lights on the display that will let you find the fault.

But wait! What if your dishwasher doesn’t have a digital display panel? Well, no need to worry at all!

The clean light will illuminate the function code, followed by pausing for two seconds, and finally flashing the problem code.

All you have to do is count the number of flashing times of the clean light to sort out the error of your Whirlpool dishwasher.

Let’s take an example here!

Let’s suppose if the clean light is flashing five times, followed by two flashings, the error code is (5-2), and it shows the function code -‘The Door Issue.’

What’s the problem, by the way?

Most probably, the problem code is ‘The door switch is in question.’ So you need to check it properly and take the required measurements on the spot.

The flashing pattern will repeat again after pausing for five seconds.

But wait! Keep in mind that the control panel console is not functioning when the error code is flashing.

Entering the Diagnostic Mode on Whirlpool Dishwasher

Here we go with our step-by-step guide!

Step 1 -Turning the Dishwasher ON

Every Whirlpool dishwasher model might not be the same -some control digitally while some have precise controlling knobs.

If you have a digital control panel on the dishwasher, you’ll see different buttons and LEDs on the front panel.

The power button is usually on the right end corner, and you just have to push it down.

The LED indicator lights will turn on at the instant showing that you’ve powered your dishwasher on.

But wait! What if your dishwasher isn’t a digital one? You’ll see the controlling knobs for both powering on and setting the modes.

Step 2 -Pressing the ‘Rinse Mode’ Button

Once you’ve powered on the dishwasher, you have to select the right program.

The major modes include:

• 1-Hour Wash: This mode allows a quick wash when you need to get clean dishes within a short time. It will give the time of 1 hour and 18 minutes.
• Soak and Clean: This is preferably an overnight cleaning mode that can treat your dishes for up to seven hours. It’s actually a good option for thoroughly getting the dirt and grime off the dishes.
• Sensor: Here’s a built-in sensor in the Whirlpool dishwasher that senses how dirty the dishes are and set the washing time accordingly.
• Heavy Wash: If you’ve some heavily soiled or stained dishes, you certainly need to fling them off in the heavy wash.
• Normal Wash: The regular mode has a timer of three hours, and you can use it for the dishes that are not too dirty.

Once you made a selection out of these modes, let’s suppose you’ve chosen the ‘normal wash’ mode; next, you have to choose the cleaning type.

As you’re setting the diagnostic mode on, so you’ll press the ‘rinse button’ for only water-washing the dishes.

There would be no detergent coming out this way.

Step 3 -Turning the Dishwasher OFF

You have to turn the dishwasher back to OFF by pressing the ‘cancel’ or ‘drain’ pad once first to drain it and then shut it off.

If you press this ‘cancel’ or ‘drain’ pad twice, the machine will turn off without draining it off.

After that, you have to locate the hot water supply beneath the sink. Find the pipe that’s heading towards the dishwasher.

This pipe will have a faucet on it, looking like an outside faucet.

You have to turn the faucet in the clockwise direction to stop the water supply to the dishwasher.

Step 4 -Starting the Dishwasher Again

Well, it seems crazy when you’re turning the dishwasher on, shutting it down, and turning it back again.

But wait! It’s important to do so to enter the diagnostic mode.

Hold the start button for the good time until you turn the dishwasher back to ON.

Holding the start button until that time will help you make the lights start flashing -the important part of the diagnostic mode, no doubt.

Once you see the LEDs flashing, leave the start button straight away.

Step 5 -Shutting the Dishwasher Door

So now you’re going to oppress the start button once again. Don’t get confused in the sequence of pressing the buttons; do it the right way.

Next, you have to shut the door of your Whirlpool dishwasher and let the testing cycle start.

If there’s a problem going on in the dishwasher, the testing cycle will immediately stop.

You’ll see a flashing error code displaying on the panel.

Some Common Error Codes:

Flashing Code 1-1

This error code depicts the electronic control board stuck on the circuit board through an electrical relay.

How to repair it?

If you don’t want to see this error code on your dishwasher anymore, you just have to remove power for five minutes for trying and resetting.

After doing so, if you again see the same error code, you’ll have to check the wiring and other electrical components.

Ultimately, in extreme cases, you may have to change the electronic control board. 

Flashing Code 1-2

In this condition, you’ll see all the flashing lights turned on because the interface control isn’t going well with the electronic control board.

How to repair it?

You’re probably facing this error because the user interface control you’ve installed isn’t the right one.

All you have to do is install the right user interface control board to get things right.

Flashing Code 2-1

This error code pops out probably when the electronic control board is detecting a stuck key button on the controlling panel.

How to repair it?

If none of the keys is working, you may need to replace the entire electronic control panel.

Well, if your control panel is working in the right order, you may need to replace the electronic control board.

Flashing Code 2-2

The user interface control is no more communicating with the electronic control board -that’s what this error code is dictating.

How to repair it?

First, you have to remove the power supply from the dishwasher to turn it off to remove this error.

Check the wiring between the electronic control board and user interface control.

Once you expose the wires and connections, you have to change the user interface control board.

However, if you still see that error going on, you’ll have to replace the electronic control board.

The Bottom Line:

So, this is how to enter a diagnostic mode of the Whirlpool dishwasher.

Instead of spending a hefty amount in getting your Whirlpool dishwasher’s problem sorted out, you can now perform this arduous operation at home.

You have to be quite patient, vigilant, and careful throughout this process.

Once you’re successful in understanding the error code, you have to take that particular action immediately by replacing it.