Kenmore Dishwasher: not heating

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Is your Kenmore dishwasher completing cycles but leaving dishes cold and unclean? This common issue may stem from a faulty heating element or thermostat, leading to inadequate heating and ineffective drying.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Kenmore Models

  • Electronic control board and pump/motor assembly failures are often d as specific causes for Kenmore dishwasher heating issues.
  • Certain Kenmore models have a heated dry mode which must be correctly selected to engage heating.

Possible Causes

Faulty heating element

How to Identify: No warmth in water during cycle; visible break or burn on element; multimeter shows no continuity.

Part: Heating element

Malfunctioning thermostat/thermistor

How to Identify: Dishwasher cycles but fails to reach target temperature; multimeter continuity test fails.

Part: Thermostat/thermistor

Electronic control board failure

How to Identify: Dishwasher does not initiate or control heating stage; other cycles may also malfunction.

Part: Electronic control board

Pump and motor assembly issues affecting water circulation

How to Identify: Water does not circulate properly; washing performance poor and heating ineffective.

Part: Pump and motor assembly

User interface/control panel error

How to Identify: Heat settings cannot be selected; buttons unresponsive.

Part: User interface control

DIY Solutions

Test heating element continuity

Moderate 30-60 minutes
Tools Needed: multimeter, screwdrivers
  1. Disconnect power to dishwasher.
  2. Remove lower panels to access heating element.
  3. Disconnect wires to heating element and test continuity across terminals with multimeter.
  4. If no continuity, heating element likely needs replacement.
⚠️ Safety First: Always disconnect power at breaker before opening dishwasher.

Inspect and clean spray arms and filters

Easy 10-20 minutes
Tools Needed: warm water, brush
  1. Remove spray arms.
  2. Clean any debris or blockages.
  3. Ensure filters are free of food debris.
  4. Reinstall and test dishwasher.

Professional Repairs

Replace heating element

Estimated Cost: $40 - $120

Control board replacement

Estimated Cost: $120 - $300

Thermostat/thermistor replacement

Estimated Cost: $50 - $150

When to Call a Professional

Multimeter testing not possible or heating element replacement uncomfortable
Dishwasher still does not heat after DIY tests
Control board or internal wiring issues suspected

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean spray arms and filters: Improves water circulation that supports heating performance
    Frequency: monthly
  • Run with hot water supply: Dishwasher has a hotter starting temperature
    Frequency: each cycle start

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Kenmore Dishwasher not heating?
Common causes include a faulty heating element, malfunctioning thermostat, or electronic control board failure.
How do I fix Kenmore Dishwasher not heating myself?
Test the heating element for continuity and clean spray arms and filters to improve performance.
How much does it cost to fix not heating?
Repair costs range from $40 to $300 depending on the issue, like heating element or control board replacement.
When should I call a technician for not heating?
If DIY fixes fail or if the issue involves complex components like the control board, it's time to consult a professional.

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

70%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Either

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Faulty heating element
  • Defective thermostat
  • Malfunctioning control board

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Test and replace the heating element. Disconnect the dishwasher from power, access the heating element, use a multimeter to check for continuity, and replace if faulty.

  2. Check and replace the thermostat. Locate the thermostat, test it with a multimeter for proper function, and replace if it does not show continuity.

  3. Inspect and repair or replace the control board. Open the control panel, visually inspect for burned components, and replace the control board if necessary.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

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

  1. Kenmore (Whirlpool) Dishwasher not heating up

Community Discussions

not heating up

Replaced the heating element, which resolved the issue.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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