Dishwasher workflow

Dishwasher Diagnostic Workflow

Follow water, drain, leak, heat, and wash-performance branches before reading brand-specific dishwasher codes.

Safety Boundary

Stop before live electrical work, pump removal, or leak repairs that require pulling a hardwired unit.

Start Here

  • Cancel the cycle and listen for drain behavior.
  • Check the filter, drain hose loop, and garbage disposal knockout if recently installed.
  • Look for water in the base pan or under the unit.
  • Record whether the code appears before fill, during wash, or at drain.

Decision Path

  1. Water left in tub: Start with filter, hose, air gap, and disposal connection before replacing a pump.
    Next: Review drain and pump codes.
  2. Leak or base-pan code: Dry visible water only if safe, then find whether the leak is door, hose, or overfill related.
    Next: Use leak and float-switch code pages.
  3. Poor wash or heat: Separate blocked spray arms, heater faults, and water-temperature issues.
    Next: Compare heater and wash motor codes.

Stop and Call for Service

  • Water near wiring
  • Breaker trips
  • Unit must be pulled from cabinetry
  • Active leak you cannot isolate

Next Code Guides

Once the symptom branch is clear, compare the matching brand-specific pages in the Dishwasher error-code library.