Amana Dishwasher: not heating

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your Amana Dishwasher not heating? If your dishwasher runs but dishes come out cold with poor cleaning and little steam, it could be due to a faulty heating element, insufficient hot water supply, or other issues. Understanding the problem can help you restore effective cleaning.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Amana Models

  • Amana official documentation emphasizes proper incoming hot water and internal heating support; specific OEM heating elements are available by model.

Possible Causes

Faulty heating element

How to Identify: Dishwasher water remains cold throughout cycle; visible damage (cracks/blistering on heating element at bottom of tub; multimeter shows no continuity across element.

Part: Heating element

Insufficient incoming hot water supply

How to Identify: Dishwasher fills with cold water because home hot water supply is too cool or water heater set below recommended temp; confirmed by running kitchen hot tap before start.

Part: Hot water supply/inlet connection

Faulty thermostat or temperature sensor

How to Identify: Dishwasher doesn’t regulate temperature properly; multimeter continuity test fails; water warms inconsistently or cycle ends before warming.

Part: Thermostat/temperature sensor

Control board/timer malfunction

How to Identify: Heating element never receives signal to activate; dishwasher skips heating phases; error codes or erratic cycle behavior.

Part: Control board or timer

DIY Solutions

Inspect and test heating element

Moderate 30-60 minutes
Tools Needed: screwdriver, multimeter
  1. Disconnect dishwasher from power.
  2. Remove lower dish rack and access panel to reach heating element at bottom of tub.
  3. Visually inspect element for breaks or burns.
  4. Use multimeter to test continuity across heating element terminals.
  5. Replace element if no continuity is present.
⚠️ Safety First: Always disconnect power before accessing electrical components.

Ensure hot water supply is adequate

Easy 5-10 minutes
  1. Run kitchen hot water tap until water is hot before starting dishwasher.
  2. Verify that water heater is set to ~120°F or above.
  3. Ensure water inlet hose is connected to hot water line and valve is fully open.
⚠️ Safety First: Be cautious of hot tap water temperature to avoid burns.

Check dishwasher settings

Easy 5 minutes
  1. Verify selected cycle includes heated wash and/or heated dry options.
  2. Disable any 'air dry' or energy saver no‑heat settings.
  3. Restart cycle and observe results.

Professional Repairs

Replace heating element

Estimated Cost: $60 - $120

Replace thermostat or sensor

Estimated Cost: $30 - $80

Service/replace control board

Estimated Cost: $120 - $350

When to Call a Professional

Heating element tests show no continuity and DIY replacement is difficult
Thermostat/sensor or control board fault suspected
Burning smell or electrical issues during cycles

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean dishwasher filter and spray arms: Poor circulation that can indirectly affect heating efficiency
    Frequency: Monthly
  • Run hot water in kitchen sink before starting dishwasher: Cold water fill reduces heating performance
    Frequency: Every cycle

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Amana Dishwasher not heating?
Common causes include a faulty heating element, insufficient hot water supply, or a malfunctioning thermostat.
How do I fix Amana Dishwasher not heating myself?
Inspect the heating element for damage, ensure hot water supply is adequate, and check dishwasher settings.
How much does it cost to fix not heating?
Repair costs range from $30 for a thermostat replacement to $350 for control board service.
When should I call a technician for not heating?
Call a technician if DIY fixes do not resolve the issue or if you suspect a complex problem.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

65%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Either

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Faulty heating element
  • Defective thermostat
  • Malfunctioning control board

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Test the heating element with a multimeter for continuity. If faulty, replace it. Disconnect power, remove the old element, and install a new one following manufacturer instructions.

  2. Check the thermostat for proper operation using a multimeter. If it’s defective, replace it. Ensure power is off, access the thermostat, and swap it out with a new one.

  3. Inspect the control board for burnt components or loose connections. If damaged, replace the control board. Disconnect power, remove the board, and install the new one carefully.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. Amana dishwasher hooked to water heater?

Community Discussions

not heating

The heating element in the dishwasher is used to boost water temperature and for drying, but it does not heat cold water.

Pro needed View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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