The Amana dishwasher is designed to be a time-saving device that will clean your dishes without requiring your supervision and input. However, issues like the Amana dishwasher not starting can come up with continuous use. When faced with these issues, you can apply several easy fixes that will get the dishwasher working again.
If your Amana dishwasher won’t start, there are quite a few places to check before troubleshooting the dishwasher. YOu should check if the door is completely shut and the latch is secure. You should also confirm that the Delay Start feature has not been activated. If none of these is causing the problem, then you can follow the fixes below.
Amana Dishwasher Not Starting: DIY Fixes
1. Start/resume light is flashing
The start/resume light of the Amana dishwasher is meant to indicate if the door is closed properly. When this light starts flashing, it means that the door wasn’t closed within 3 seconds of pressing Start/Resume.
Open the door and close it again before pressing Start/Resume. The flashing light could also mean that the washing cycle was interrupted. to resume the washing cycle, ensure that the door is properly closed, then press the Start/Resume.
2. Check the Power supply
In some cases, the reason why the dishwasher fails to come on is due to its power supply being interrupted. If your dishwasher model uses a plug-in power cord, ensure that it is properly plugged in. If it is direct wired, then you will have to look into the wiring.
You might want to get the help of a professional on checking the wiring connection. You might also want to check to see if your household electrical box, fuses, and/or circuit breaker are in working order.
3. Water supply
Another reason why your dishwasher fails to start is due to the water supply. You should check if the dishwasher is getting hot water. Check if the hot water supply is on, and the valve leading to the dishwasher is open. The water inlet valve must be open to allow water to enter the dishwasher.
If the valve is clogged or defective, the dishwasher might not clean properly or start at all. You might be able to check if the water inlet valve is clogged, but you’d be better off leaving it to the professionals. If the water inlet valve is clogged, it would have to be replaced. While you might want to clean and reuse the valve, changing it will be the better option.
4. Control Lock
The control lock feature helps to protect against accidental dishwasher use and cycle or changing of options during a cycle. Once activated, the Control Lock light will stay on for a short time. During this time, the door of the dishwasher can still be opened and closed, however, while the controls are locked, all the buttons will be disabled.
If you press any button while the controls are locked, the light will flash three times and there will be no response. When this happens, you might think your dishwasher has stopped functioning.
All you have to do to get the dishwasher working again is to unlock the controls. To do this, press and hold the Control Lock button for three seconds. If the doesn’t work, then you may need to disable the Sleep Mode feature. To do this, press either Start/Resume or Cancel or open and close the door.
5. Reset the Dishwasher
If the dishwasher is still not starting after applying all these fixes, then you might want to reset the dishwasher. To do this
Disconnect it from the power source for one minute. If it is plugged into an outlet, simply unplug the unit for one minute, then plug it back in. For a dishwasher that is hard-wired to the power supply, turn the breaker off at the household electrical panel for one minute then turn the breaker back on. Check if the dishwasher is working again.
How to Clean the Filter System of your Amana Dishwasher
Cleaning the Removable Filtration System
The dishwasher’s triple filtration system is designed to minimize sound and optimize water and energy conservation and at the same time, provide superior cleaning performance. Throughout the life of your dishwasher, the filter will maintain its peak cleaning performance, only if maintained properly.
The triple filter system consists of 2 parts; an upper filter assembly, and a lower filter.
- The upper filter assembly is designed to keep oversized items, food particles, and foreign objects, out of the pump
- The lower filter keeps food from being re-circulated onto your dishwasher.
Filter Removal Instructions
The water filter area is at the bottom of the dishwasher. Check if the water filter area has larger food particles or foreign objects (broken glass) around it. You should start by removing these particles by hand and discarding them before removing the filters. If the foreign objects get into the filter area, the dishwasher could develop problems later on.
Turn the Upper Filter Assembly by a quarter counterclockwise and lift out. You might have to move the spray arm in order to remove the filter.
Separate the upper filter assembly by gently pulling it apart
Go ahead to clean the filter.
Cleaning the Filter
When cleaning the filter, don’t use a wire brush or scouring pad, as these materials may damage the filter. Rinse the filter under running water until most soils are moored. If there are any hard-to-remove soils or calcium deposits from hard water, you might need to use a soft brush.
Reinstalling the Filter
Once cleaned, you will have to reinstall the filter into the dishwasher. Place the lower filter under the locating tabs at the bottom of the dishwasher. This ensures that the round opening for the upper filter assembly lines up with the round opening in the bottom of the tub.
Insert the upper filter assembly into the circular opening in the lower filter.
Slowly rotate the filter clockwise until it drops into place. Continue to rotate until the filter is locked into place. If the filter still turns freely, continue to turn the filter clockwise until it drops and locks into place.
