The Kenmore Elite dishwasher is well-appreciated for being powerful, easy to operate, and jam-packed with useful features.
This is a brand that continues to scale new heights when it comes to efficiency and usability. However, there are times when the Kenmore Elite dishwasher isn’t going to function the way you want it to.
At this point, you will want to learn more about how to complete a Kenmore Elite dishwasher reset.
To hard reset a Kenmore Elite dishwasher, you will want to unplug the appliance from the wall. Wait 30 seconds and then replug it into the outlet. This should reset the dishwasher and bring it back to how it was.
It’s important to take your time with the reset and ensure it’s done the right way.
This article will dig deeper into resetting the Kenmore Elite dishwasher and how to do it safely.
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How To Reset Kenmore Elite Dishwasher
1. Hard Reset
This is the most common way to reset a Kenmore Elite dishwasher.
If the dishwasher isn’t working correctly or is displaying an error then it’s best to start here.
With the “Hard Reset,” you are going to look to take the plug out of the socket. This will unplug the appliance and drain it of electricity. Once you do this, wait 30 seconds. After the time passes, you can replug the appliance.
This will complete the hard reset.
The purpose of a hard reset is to refresh the circuit board and get it firing on all cylinders again. It’s recommended to do this from time to time.
2. Select Dry Reset
This type of reset is only available for specific Kenmore appliances.
Look at the appliance and see if it has a “Heated Dry” button. If so, you should have the ability to choose a select cycle.
To complete the reset, you are going to press the three buttons on the appliance.
The sequence is going to be – Select Cycle, Options, & Heated Dry.
You will repeat this cycle again until the lights come on. To complete it, you will press cancel/drain.
3. Heated Dry Reset
Let’s assume you have tried the other options and it’s still not working as needed.
This means you will want to go for a more targeted reset of the Kenmore Elite dishwasher. This will come in the form of what is known as a “Heated Dry” reset.
The heated dry reset has a specific sequence associated with it and is commonly seen only with appliances that have a noted heated dry button.
To complete the rest, you will want to press down on heated dry and then press the normal wash button.
Do this a second time to complete the cycle.
When doing this, it’s important to do it in quick succession. This means you don’t wait after complete the first step in the sequence or it’s going to have to be done again. At this point, close and latch the door.
This should help start the short wash cycle and reset the appliance.
4. Pots & Pan Reset
This is a less common option when resetting a Kenmore Elite appliance.
You are going to want to follow a set sequence to initiate the “Pots and Pans” reset.
This will include the following sequence – Press the Pots and Pans button, normal wash, and one-hour wash in quick succession.
You will now want to complete the same three-button sequence two more times. This should light up the appliance and initiate the short cycle as soon as the dishwasher’s door is latched.
5. Outer Button Reset
The final type of reset for the Kenmore Elite dishwasher is known as an “Outer Button” reset.
This type of reset has a strict sequence and is only viable for dishwashers that DON’T have a heated dry button.
The sequence is going to be – Press two outer buttons together, hold for three seconds, and latch the dishwasher’s door.
Complete this sequence quickly and it should initiate the reset process.
6. Diagnose Kenmore Elite Dishwasher
There are specific diagnostic codes associated with the Kenmore Elite dishwasher.
The appliance comes with a built-in feature displaying specific diagnostic codes. These codes are designed to highlight what the root cause of the problem is and what the dishwasher owner should do moving forward.
To view these codes, you will want to start by resetting the appliance. Once you do this, the diagnostic codes are going to unveil themselves. Take the time to read what the code is and then compare it to the diagnosis in the manual.
The LED display will highlight the exact error you are dealing with right now. This should pop up when you open the dishwasher door.
A common code that does come up is “Error 1-2”, which signifies the control board malfunctioning and losing its memory. For the most part, you should be able to get rid of this diagnostic code by resetting the appliance once.
Take the time to complete the hard reset and then check the LED screen again. If it works, you are not going to see the diagnostic code.
Final Thoughts
These are the main steps to focus on with a Kenmore Elite dishwasher reset.
You can hard reset a Kenmore Elite dishwasher by unplugging the appliance from the wall, waiting 30 seconds, and then replugging it. This should refresh the control board and help improve the appliance’s performance.
It’s best to take the time to do this as soon as possible. It should help alleviate most underlying diagnostic codes associated with the Kenmore Elite dishwasher.
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