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How to Reset a Dishwasher After a Power Outage?

Appliance:
Dishwashers

Short answer

Most dishwashers reset themselves automatically once power returns. If a cycle is stuck or the display is unresponsive, cancel the current cycle, close the door, and either press the Start/Reset button combination for your model or cut power at the breaker for one minute.

Information

Error and fault codes can mean different things depending on the brand, model and production year. Always confirm the meaning in the official user manual for your specific model.

What it means

A brief power outage rarely damages a dishwasher, but it can leave the control board in an unclear state — mid-cycle, with lights flashing, or unresponsive to the control panel. A manual reset clears this without affecting anything else in the machine.

Symptoms you may notice

  • Display unresponsive after power returns
  • Lights flashing in a pattern with no error shown
  • Cycle appears stuck partway through

Possible causes

Listed from most to least common. This is not a confirmed diagnosis.

  • Control board state was interrupted mid-cycle by the outagecommon

Reset procedure

1) Press Cancel or Start/Reset and hold for 3 seconds if your model has that button. 2) If nothing happens, open and firmly close the door to clear the cycle. 3) If the display is still unresponsive, switch off the dishwasher's circuit breaker (or unplug it) for about one minute, then restore power and start a new cycle.

When to stop using the appliance

When to call a professional

Published Last updated Reviewed by ErrorCompass Editor

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