You may encounter a Frigidaire dishwasher that is not starting and the lights are blinking. This will be a neat trick to figure out. We did some research on this problem and found that there are several causes for the dishwasher not to start. So, we will try to figure it out.
If the lights on your Frigidaire dishwasher are flashing, it may indicate that the door is open or the door latch is faulty. Other potential causes include a malfunctioning heating element, control panel, or main control board. To troubleshoot the issue, ensure the door is fully closed, inspect the door latch, check the heating element’s functionality, examine the control panel for damage, and consider the main control board. Additionally, check for any error codes that may provide further insights into the problem. If the issue persists, contacting Frigidaire customer support or a professional repair service is recommended.
Frigidaire dishwasher is one of the most popular dishwasher brands in the United States. It is designed to operate as a single device to wash and dry your dishes. The dishwasher is equipped with multiple pre-set wash cycles that are designed to provide you with best cleaning results. However, sometimes it can fail and start blinking lights on the control panel. For those who have no idea how to solve the issue, here is a simple troubleshooting guide that will help you fix the problem.
Frigidaire Dishwasher Not Starting Lights Blinking – Troubleshoot And Diagnosis
If your Frigidaire dishwasher isn’t starting and you notice the lights blinking, it’s probably exhibiting some error code. These instructions will help you troubleshoot that problem and fix it so that your dishwasher starts working again.
| Frigidaire Dishwasher Issue | DIY Solution |
|---|---|
| Power supply problem | Try performing a basic dishwasher reset to see if it resolves the issue |
| Malfunctioning heating element | Use a multimeter to check if the heating element is defective and replace if necessary |
| Door not securely locked | Ensure the dishwasher door is completely closed for proper operation |
| Faulty drain pump | Test the drain pump motor for continuity and replace it if needed |
| Defective touchpad | Consider replacing the faulty touchpad or the entire control panel |
| Problem with touchpad or ribbon cable connection | Clean the ribbon cable connectors and ensure secure connections |
1. Do a Reset
If there’s an issue with your Frigidaire dishwasher, the best first step is to perform a basic reset. Dishwashers are pretty simple machines that can be used with ease. However, when you run into a particular problem that makes you question whether the machine is even working, it can get pretty frustrating — especially if you do not know what to do. In such situations, remember a basic reset is your solution.
First, flip off the circuit breaker or shut off the power supply to the machine. Wait at least five minutes before turning the appliance back on. Then choose a new cycle and see if the machine operates smoothly.
2. Heating Element Issue
If the lights on your dishwasher are blinking, the heating element might be faulty. The heating element is a crucial part of your machine’s operation — it heats water to the right temperature so that your dishes get clean.
If the heating element goes out, you may see lights flashing on the control panel. A multimeter can help you determine if the heating element has burned out — if it doesn’t have continuity, you’ll need to replace it.
3. Ensure That Door is Properly Closed
If your Frigidaire dishwasher won’t start, the door may not be properly closed. Our technicians recommend making sure the door is shut properly and then pressing the start button again to see if it will start. Attempting more complex fixes only leads to headaches and more time spent on repairs later, when they could have been avoided entirely with better troubleshooting and communication.
By shutting the door completely and ensuring that it locks in place, you can alleviate any issues that may be happening with the door latch or the door closed.
4. Faulty Drain Pump
If your Frigidaire dishwasher isn’t starting and the lights on your control panel are flashing, it might be because the drain pump has faulty. The drain pump is used to get rid of the water in the tub after you’ve finished washing dishes. It uses an impeller to push water out of the dishwasher and into the drain hose.
In this case, you’ll need to determine if the drain pump motor has continuity. If it does, you’ll need to replace it along with any other defective components that are causing the dishwasher to fail.
Check if the pump has continuity using a multimeter. If the motor does not have continuity, replace the drain pump.
5. Defective Touchpad
If your dishwasher won’t start, it’s usually one of two things: a faulty door switch or a malfunctioning touchpad. To test if the touchpad is working correctly, try pressing some of the buttons. If some of them respond correctly but others don’t, you have a faulty touchpad.
The touchpad is the part on your kitchen countertop where you put in buttons to control the dishwasher and cycle through different options. If the touchpad isn’t working, it can affect how well your dishwasher cleans.
Some manufacturers sell the touchpad separately from the control panel, but others require that you purchase both at the same time.
6. Check The Control Board
If your Frigidaire dishwasher’s control panel isn’t working, there could be a problem with the ribbon cable connectors and/or touchpad. If you’re willing to take upon yourself to have a crack at control panel repair on your own, try the following:
Clean corrosion off the ribbon cable connectors (check the cable going to the touchpad). Tighten all connections (the culprit could be a bad connection to the panel).
7. Check Frigidaire Dishwasher’s Error Codes for Lights Flashing
Frigidaire dishwashers come equipped with an error code that flashes when there is a problem with the machine. By pressing a number of buttons, you can get access to this error code which may help you diagnose the problem.
Check to see if your dishwasher is showing a flashing error code on the LCD display. If it is, try resetting the dishwasher and running it again in diagnostic mode.
Reasons Why Frigidaire Dishwasher 3 Lights Blinking
If your Frigidaire dishwasher has three lights blinking, it could mean that there is something blocking the dishwasher’s spray arm. The three lights blinking could also indicate that the dishwasher’s water supply is not turned on.
If the three lights on your Frigidaire dishwasher are blinking, it is important to determine what is causing the problem so that it can be fixed. There are a few potential causes for the three lights blinking, and each one should be investigated to determine the best course of action.
One potential cause for the three lights blinking is that something is blocking the dishwasher’s spray arm. The spray arm is responsible for spraying water onto the dishes in the dishwasher, and if it is blocked, the dishwasher will not be able to clean the dishes properly. To check for a blockage in the spray arm, remove the dishwasher’s upper rack and look for any obstructions. If you find an obstruction, remove it and see if the three lights stop blinking.
Another potential cause for the three lights blinking is that the dishwasher’s water supply is not turned on. The dishwasher will not be able to operate properly if there is no water supply, so it is important to make sure that the water supply is turned on before troubleshooting any other potential issues. To check the water supply, locate the water shut-off valve under the sink and ensure that it is turned on.
If the three lights on your Frigidaire dishwasher are still blinking after checking for a blockage in the spray arm and ensuring that the water supply is turned on, it is possible that there is a problem with the dishwasher’s control panel. In some cases, the control panel may need to be reset in order to fix the problem. To reset the control panel, press and hold the “Start/Reset” button for five seconds. If the problem persists, it is best to contact a Frigidaire customer service representative for further assistance.
Conclusion
Your dishwasher is just notifying you about what it’s doing. Sometimes, it will turn on a light to tell you it’s off, other times it will use a light to tell you that it’s running. If your dishwasher doesn’t have enough water, a light will turn on to show you that there is a problem. If the water fill light flashes, simply add more water.
Frigidaire dishwashers feature a number of built-in alerts and notifications to keep you in the know about how your unit is performing. For example, if the dishwasher encounters a problem — such as an open door or a blocked drain — it will likely notify you by blinking its lights. Should this happen, simply fix the underlying issue and press continue to resume the cycle.
Hi there! I’m Sam Hendricks, and I’m a repair technician and expert. I created this website to help people like you save money and time by fixing your own appliances.
Over the years, I’ve seen people spend a lot of money on unnecessary repairs or replacements. That’s why I decided to share my expertise and create easy-to-follow guides for fixing appliances on your own.