The quickest way to reset your KitchenAid dishwasher

A reset clears the dishwasher's memory and stops most error codes and stuck cycles. The method depends on your model, but the most common approach is to hold the Start/Cancel button for three to five seconds until the lights flash or the display goes blank. This soft reset restarts the control board without erasing your saved settings or cycle preferences.

If that does not work, you can try a hard reset by turning off power to the unit for five minutes, then turning it back on. This works whether your dishwasher is hardwired to your home's electrical panel or plugged into an outlet under the sink. A hard reset takes longer but clears more stubborn problems, like a cycle that will not start or a display that is frozen.

Before you reset, check whether the dishwasher is mid-cycle. If it is running, a reset will stop it and drain the water. You can restart the cycle afterward, but you will lose any progress on the current load.

Key Takeaways

  • Hold the Start/Cancel button for three to five seconds to perform a soft reset that stops error codes and restarts the control board.
  • A hard reset requires turning off power at the breaker or outlet for five minutes, then turning it back on.
  • Soft resets preserve your saved settings, while hard resets clear everything and take longer to complete.
  • If the display is frozen or unresponsive, a hard reset is more likely to work than a soft reset.
  • Always check whether a cycle is running before you reset, because the reset will stop it and drain the water.

Soft reset using the Start/Cancel button

The Start/Cancel button is the fastest way to reset most KitchenAid models. Locate it on the control panel—it is usually at the top right of the buttons, sometimes labeled with a stop symbol or the word "Cancel." Press and hold it without releasing for three to five seconds. You should see the lights on the panel flicker, or the display will go blank for a moment.

Release the button once the lights flash or the display resets. The dishwasher will return to its idle state, and any error code on the screen will disappear. If you were in the middle of a cycle, the water will drain automatically. You can now start a new cycle or check the door to see if the problem has cleared.

This method works for most error codes, including E1, E2, E3, and F codes. It also works if the dishwasher is beeping repeatedly or if a cycle started but will not progress. If the button does not respond or the display remains frozen, move to a hard reset instead.

Hard reset by cutting power to the unit

A hard reset removes all power from the dishwasher for several minutes, which clears the control board completely. This method works when the soft reset fails or when the display is unresponsive to button presses.

If your dishwasher is hardwired to your home's electrical panel, locate the breaker that controls it. The breaker is usually labeled "Dishwasher" or "Kitchen." Switch it to the OFF position. Wait five minutes—this gives the control board time to fully discharge. Then switch the breaker back to ON. The dishwasher will restart, and the display should light up.

If your dishwasher is plugged into an outlet under the sink, unplug the power cord from the outlet. Wait five minutes, then plug it back in. The unit will power on automatically or be ready for you to start a cycle.

After a hard reset, the dishwasher may take 30 seconds to a minute to fully restart. The display may show a blank screen or a startup sequence before returning to normal. Do not press buttons during this time—let the unit complete its startup cycle on its own.

What to do if the reset does not work

If the soft reset and hard reset both fail, the problem is likely not a frozen control board but a hardware issue. Check for standing water in the bottom of the tub, which can trigger error codes. If there is water, the drain pump or drain line may be blocked. You can try running a drain cycle by selecting the rinse-only option and running it without dishes, but if water remains, the blockage is beyond a reset.

Error codes that persist after a hard reset usually point to a specific part that needs attention. For example, an E1 code often means a water inlet valve problem, while an E3 code usually indicates a drain issue. Write down the exact error code and check your model number—it is printed on a sticker inside the door frame on the left side. You can then search for that code paired with your model number to find the next step.

If the display is completely dark and does not light up after a hard reset, the power supply to the unit may be interrupted. Check that the outlet is working by plugging in another appliance, or check that the breaker has not tripped again. If the outlet and breaker are both fine, the control board itself may have failed.

Resetting after a power outage

After a power outage, your KitchenAid dishwasher may not resume its cycle automatically. The control board loses its place in the cycle and returns to idle mode. You do not need to perform a manual reset—straightforward press Start on a new cycle to resume washing.

If the display shows an error code after power returns, perform a soft reset by holding Start/Cancel for three to five seconds. This clears codes that sometimes appear when power is restored. If the code returns, then a hard reset may be needed, but most of the time a soft reset is enough.

Clearing error codes without a full reset

Some error codes clear on their own once the problem is fixed. For example, if the door latch sensor is temporarily blocked by a dish, the E2 code will disappear once you close the door properly and the sensor detects it. In these cases, you do not need to reset—just fix the underlying issue and run the cycle again.

Other codes, like those related to water temperature or fill time, may clear after one complete cycle runs without the problem recurring. Run a normal wash cycle with no dishes to see if the code reappears. If it does not, the issue was temporary and a reset was not necessary.

If a code appears every time you start a cycle, a reset will not fix it—the code is telling you that a part needs service. In that case, write down the code and model number and contact KitchenAid support or a service technician.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a reset erase my saved cycles or settings?

A soft reset preserves all your saved settings and custom cycles. A hard reset clears everything and returns the dishwasher to factory defaults, so you will need to reprogram any custom settings you had saved. If you want to keep your settings, always try the soft reset first.

How long does it take for a hard reset to work?

The hard reset itself takes five minutes of waiting while power is off. Once you turn the power back on, the dishwasher will take 30 seconds to one minute to fully restart and show the display. The entire process takes about six to seven minutes from start to finish.

Can I reset the dishwasher while it is running a cycle?

Yes, but the reset will stop the cycle and drain the water. You can restart the cycle afterward, but any progress on the current load will be lost. If the dishwasher is stuck mid-cycle and will not respond to buttons, a reset is often the only way to stop it.

What does it mean if the reset does not clear the error code?

A persistent error code after a reset usually means a specific part is malfunctioning, not a software glitch. The code is telling you which part needs attention—for example, E1 often means the water inlet valve, and E3 usually means the drain pump. A reset cannot fix a hardware problem, so you will need service.

Should I reset if the dishwasher is just running slowly?

A slow cycle is usually not a control board problem, so a reset will not help. Slow cycles are often caused by a clogged spray arm, a blocked filter, or hard water buildup. Clean the filter and spray arms first, and run a cleaning cycle with dishwasher cleaner before considering a reset.