Dishwasher Diagnostic Mode: find out why your Kitchenaid won’t work 

I fixed my dishwasher with these parts: - Float Switch (Amazon link amzn.to/382ScaT ) - Fill Valve (Amazon link amzn.to/2KRjGHS )

I had the same (6/4) error code and fixed it for free. My filter in the bottom of the DW was clean, which is deceptive. I had a slightly clogged drain line running to my disposal. It did drain but not well enough - I guess. I unhooked the line (my drain line is 1/2" pex which is probably too small) at the disposal and blew 125 psi air threw it - back into the dishwasher. Do this with the door shut if you're going to try it or you will make a colossal mess. The drain line just had muck in it. That cleared the clog. I then took the kick panel off the bottom of the DW and there was water in the little white pan that the float switch sits in. That was what was tripping the float switch. I cleaned that up and put it back together and that fixed the problem. I assume the main drain line couldn't drain properly and that caused water to back up in the bottom of the DW and that water overflowed through the overflow tube into the float switch pan. The float switch tripped and shut down the DW. There was nothing wrong with the switch. It was just doing its job. If you have this issue make sure you're fixing the problem, not the result of the problem. If the float switch trips it's because the DW can't drain properly. There's a good chance your filter will look clean but the drain line is mucked up. If you don't have a compressor and an air chuck - buy one. It's cheaper than calling a repairman and then you'll also have a compressor! By the way - this is the exact same procedure for clearing the condensation drain line from your A/C air handler inside your house. If your unit shuts down for no known reason find the p trap inside the closet, attached to the unit, and there will be a removable float switch in the top of the p trap. If the line is full of water because it's mucked up with algae, just use that brand new compressor and air chuck to blow out the drain line. Pour some bleach down the line to kill the algae and reinstall the float switch. That will probably save you $300-$400 bucks on a simple service call.

Dude flat out Thank you most videos are full of people's fugly kids and pets and they want you to know their whole demented life story but you got straight to the point and it is appreciated , subscribed , shared and liked. Thanks man

AWESOME, my buttons were not labled the same but did the ones to the right and left of High temp and it worked!!!! 4-3... now to see what that means :)

+1 on this video being very helpful. I discovered my Kitchenaid dishwasher (model KDTE204DSS0) has a slightly different button configuration (maybe a newer model?). On mine, you push the three leftmost buttons (ProWash, Tough, Normal) sequentially three times. Then everything else is the same. Thanks, Nate!

Thank you so much, I have been searching forever for a fix for my dishwasher! I had to unplug it to reset every time I wanted to use it. Mine was a 9-2 code and after I hit the codes the dishwasher came on but no light. It made some noise for about 3 minutes then shut off. When I tried the buttons, this time it worked!

Buttons a little different: 1=ProDry, 2=ProScrub, 3=Hi-Temp Wash. Model=KDTM354DSS4, Ser=F73101642 Thanks for the video.

Just the error code tip was money! Ty!!

Thank you Nate and all those who do what you do and try to help people with repair A couple of thoughts, I came across a movement called "right to repair" could you speak to that? Also for all of us that are capable of fixing things if we know what the problem is. We are being ripped off for parts usually there is not much you can do about that but some times yes. The little black switch in the door mech. used on many types of appliances are called microswitches they wanted $ 26.00 for mine those can be sourced for about $2.00! last year the defrost timer on my freezer went bad priced from about 50 to 70 I found it for $12. Almost all the appliance manufacturers by the parts from some place else if you can locate the source you can save $$$. Again thanks Nate

So helpful. Saved me $1,000 bucks on a new dishwasher!

Thanks very much. You pointed me to how to get the error code. I have, accordint to it, either a wiring harness problem or need a replacement thermistor/OWI sensor. I appreciate the great information!

PERFECT fix for 2014 Whirlpool dishwasher! Your Hack spot on other sites not! Thank you!!!!

That 8-6 error code fix saved my weekend!! Thanks!

Si valuable and yet truly priceless advice. Thanks so 😢 Nate!

Hi, I had Water run over and apparently get in to the electronic panel on the top and will only blink, clean and beep. I let it dry out a couple days turn the power completely off to it with the breaker. None of the buttons work except for cancel. What do you suggest?

Hi Nate, I have model KUDL021RBS1. Key pad is in front. I have pressed buttons and all the light light up, but not sure what it should do. There isn’t anything blinking. The problem I am having is when I close the door and push start the cancel button start blinking. It usually does that if the door is open during a cycle. If I push resume the cancel button just flashes

In your example when you press these buttons 3 times all the other buttons light up. Mine do not...

Great mine was stuck and now it runs do to the 3 button function you saved me a service call

This was such a huge help thanks for making this video! I need a new heating element for my KDTE204ESS2 with the 7-1 code 🤙🏻

This was an awesomely help method to unlock my dishwasher...THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

I would greatly appreciate your help. My "Options" panel is slightly different: Heat Dry-Pro Scrub-High Temp Wash-Sani Rinse. What is the correct diagnostic code sequence for my panel? Thank you.

Thank you. What does it mean if it the light doesnt blink (doesn't show error code)?

M y kitchenaid dishwasher does not have an external light. We got it into diagnostic mode and closed the door . How do we know it has finished the diagnostics. How long do we wait. one post I found said it could take anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes to complete

Thanks for posting. Mine was flashing 8-1 (once you showed me how to read the code!). Looked it up and says no water. Looked under the sink and the installer had turned off the water supply after running a test cycle...why? I don't know...Turned on the water and she runs perfect now! Thanks again!

Mine has a F6 E4 and a F6 E1 code. Ours fills with water but doesn’t do anything else. Sounds like it might be a float switch issue 🤷‍♂️?

I can't seem to get it in diagonotic mode for my KDTE104ESS2. Everything is off (no lights on Start or Drain) hit the three buttons in a row but they all don't light up at the end.

When I go through the sequence of pressing the three numbers 3 times (the lights light up each time I press a number) , I don't get any lights coming on.....there's nothing. I read some comments below and I see that you suggested I cut power to the dishwasher for 15 minutes to reset the board but I still don't get any lights coming on. Do I just need to replace the Control Board? Thanks!

My won’t blink after I close the door? Is there another step after all the buttons light and I shut the door? I have a different model since my bottoms are in the opposite direction. They did all light up but there is no blinking

got my code 6-4 same as you're and i've replaced the inlet valve and the float switch but the dishwasher still wont complete a cycle what else could be my problem

Nate - I need help I got my dishwasher into diagnostic mode via your video and it gave me 5-1 code which is door latch issue, so I ordered and replaced door latch assembly but its still giving me that code once in diagnostic mode what am I doing wrong or what else could be an issue? dishwasher is a KDTE204ESS1 model

Thanks so much for keeping this simple!! subscribed for sure!!

Hi Nate! I have kitchenaid KDTE104ESS4 and my issue is it seems the heater (for drying) isn’t working. No matter what cycle I choose, including “heated dry” the dishes come out really wet/ with a lot of condensation. That is the case with Jet dry as well. Now my dishwasher has a mildew/wet smell all the time and I just don’t use it. Any tips or ideas of where I should start? Thanks in advance!

Thank you very much for your helpful videos and advice. I have a KitchenAid Model # KUDT03STSS3. I have been unable to attain a Diagnostic Mode. Does it exist for this model? I bought it new in approximately 2008 or 2009 as 2008 is when the User's Manual was printed.

The light does not blink so what does that mean

Helpful video, but my KitchenAid dishwasher has all the option buttons on the outside face of the door. There are no options on the top edge of the door. (model KDFE104DSS3) does this have the same fault code detection system?

Hey Nate, I noticed my 3 buttons are in a different order. I did it anyways & the lights came on. I closed the door & the lights just stay on. I have a kdtm4o4kps1 model. I was so excited to see this video but now I'm back to where I started. Any suggestions?

So the light went on and just stayed on what did that mean

Key main thing is all good companies will have excellent tech support available. Any company that doesn't stand behind their products should be out of business and shut down by our citizens. God Bless 🌞🌲

I have a 2017 Kitchen aid KDTE104ESS3 that is not cleaning dishes and I am unable to get the dishwasher in diagnostic mode to show codes. I have already changed out the circulating pump, but not much of an improvement. Was thinking the diverter motor or washing motor might be the next best bet to replace. Any suggestions?

I’m pressing the same 3 buttons at the beginning 3 times but it’s not lighting up. Anyone else have this issue?

Great tip thanks for sharing.

Quick question if you press the buttons in the cycle and then nothing happens, does that mean there is no error codes?

my kitchenaid dishwasher is a diff model than yours...buttons are different. do you know the combination of buttons to push for coding on model KDTE334DSS0? thanks for your time!

What does it mean wahen you do the diagnosis code error and the light that should blink just stays solid and never blinks?

I've had my diagnostic lights to work, but now they won't. I always got 7-1 code indicating a heater problem, but the heater work just fine. Now I can't get the diagnostic to work. I try it multiple times and it won't go into diagnostics mode.

When I reset my kitchen aid dishwasher washer some of the lights not lighting up. Any suggestions will help me.

Thank you mate, quick and useful.

I have the same model as your video but mine didn't behave the same; after closing the door, instead of showing me the blink code, it started running some cycles... Is that right?

I've tried this but it does work. KitchenAid model KDTE254ESS2

Thank you, Nate! I think the model of my dishwasher is KDTM704E and I was able to get all the lights to turn on using "Bottle Wash", "High Temp", and "Sani-Rinse". When I close the door, the external light stays on for a few seconds, then just goes off. Am I maybe pushing the wrong buttons? Thank you.

I do all this all the lights come on I close it yet everything still stays on. Does not flash or go off

Thanks Nate - great concise video!

What if I do all this and it’s not blinking anything yet it still not washing

i did the same thing you did but when i closed the dishwasher the light just stayed on. no blinking lights at all. what does that mean

Lights stay on and no code lol Cancel worked to turn them off.

Very helpful video!! Thankyou. Quick question. I have a kdfe104kps slightly different model number. Can I still check issues via diagnostic mode with this style dishwasher? Thanks again

my controls on on the front of the door not inside, it says prowash, normal, express and rinse only, how do I run a diagnostic on this model

Kitchenaid KDTE104ESS2 Tried the diagnostic code routine 4x and nothing happened. Dishwasher is making a humming sound. Suggestion?

I have the same model and when I run the reset cycle and nothing happens, no lights come on the top control panel and no flashing code. Any ideas?

What buttons

Why is mine not working 😭 all the lights come on but when I close the door it just sounds like it's draining over and over- no light on the front

Hello...I have a Kitchenaid KDFE104HPS0. I touched the three buttons three times but all the lights on the front panel light up...but no blinking code. This unit has all the buttons on the door facing out....not up on top. Does the door have to be open first?

Thank you!

I wish i could get mine into diagnostic mode. On the third pass of pressing the buttons, the buttons stop responding. It seems to be a fairly new unit. It came in the house I purchased in December of 2022

Hi. My dishwasher is not washing. It fills up. But is not spraying water. Ran the diagnostic test. It givesme a 6-4 code. So I replaced the Inlet Valve. I can hear the float switch clicking. What else can it be?

I tried pressing these buttons in the sequence and closed the door after the 3 buttons I pressed stayed lit. But after a few seconds, the 3 lights turned off without any diagnostic code on the “clean” light. I guess it never went in diagnosis mode. How do I enter the diagnosis mode on my Kitchenaid dishwasher kude70cvss0? The dishwasher runs fine with plenty of water for first 10 minutes. Then, after the soap pod drops to the bottom of dishwasher, it just makes noise but not water comes. Appreciate your help

My kitchen aid dishwasher keeps tripping the breaker ?

If I have no error codes and heater still not working what could it be? I tested the element and it's ar 12.8 ohms. I verified the deverter switch and it clicks. I tested the hightemp thermostat and it's working. The float is working and I ended up changing the turbidity sensor cause there's a thermistor in there and that could also be the issue but in the end I'm stumped.

Nate, I have this same Kitchenaid dishwaster but the LOCK BUTTON IS STUCK ON! Cannot reset it. Do you know what will reset that LOCK button??? Unlocking it by hnolding it for 3 sec. does not do it. Please help!!! Thanxxx!

Nate - I have the exact same error code so I have ordered the float switch. Would I need the fill valve as well or should I try the float switch first and then if that doesn't work then get the fill valve? ALSO, do I need to remove the front panel to disconnect it or can I simply switch the dishwasher off and then replace the float switch?

Helpful info. Thanks!

I tried to do the diagnostics and all the lights turned on, but the button on the front is not flashing any kind of code for me.

Any advice for FA E5 code?

For mine, all lights illuminated at test, i closed the door, but they all remain contantly on. Never giving me a code to detect.

Dont know if youre still there nate, but my machine isnt cleaning and when i tried to activate the diagnostic the lights didnt flash to indicate it was going into diagnostic and no flashing light indicating the number error code. Any ideas?

Thanks Nate! After getting the solid lights and closing the door, the indicator light doesn't blink, it stays solid. Watched it for a good long time to be sure. Any thoughts?

Legend!!!! Thank you

My kitchen aid will not drain. pump works float, level appears to be working correct. I know there's a check valve, can blow threw drain line BUT can not suck water out disposal connection with vacuum> odd any thoughts?

What if the buttons sensors are not responding? All of a sudden the button sensors don’t respond when I touch it. And that’s without the control lock being on

Kenmore model 665

❤you rock !!!!

I tried the sequence, but all the all lights didn’t blink.

I have a Kitchenaid Dishwasher Model number The Dishwasher Lower spray arm Wash's Great! The upper spray arm has hardly any water going up to it. I have cleaned everything, but confirmed there is no blockage. Could this be a weak motor / or motor diverter? Anyone with this similar problem & have found a solution would help a lot! Thank you!

need help How to put model # KUDC03IVBL4 into diagnostic mode please

process did not work with an exterior control panel.

Need help with dishwasher not cleaning and making terrible grinding noises. Already replaced the drain pump but problem is just getting worse. KDTE254ESS3 Tried the three button approach but all the lights do not illuminate and the outside light also does not light either. Any suggestions? Repairman quoted $400 to fix which seems ridiculous after already spending $300. I feel like I really have a lemon! Appreciate any help you can provide.

Thanks for the info! I ran that sequence and the indicator light is staying on solid with no flashes. Assuming it’s not getting any errors. The problem I’m having is that when I hit start, it goes through its normal automation for about a minute. Then, the motor makes and off and on sound and then after about a minute it beeps and indicates the wash is complete. No water comes out and nothing happens. It’s a brand new machine with only 2 loads. I tried turning the breaker on and off but still doing it. Have a maintenance warranty person on the schedule but 3 weeks out. I did some inspecting and can’t see anything wrong? Any ideas?

Problem is I got no light 🤣

When I run through this, the light stays on and does not blink, no matter how long I wait. Anyone know what this indicates?

Didn’t work for me 😂

I've tried this numerous times and nothing happens- KDTE204DSSO