How to Fix a Stuck Handle on a Kenmore Dishwasher

A stuck handle on your Kenmore dishwasher is not necessarily an indication of a flawed appliance, as this is a default feature that occurs when the dishwasher is currently in use. The risk of spilling water onto the floor is high when opening the door during a wash cycle, which is why the door automatically locks while a cycle is running. Pulling the handle with force to open the door can break the latch and may void your warranty. Troubleshooting the problem by configuring the dishwasher's controls is a safe alternative that unlocks the door without damage.

Instructions

- 1
  Check the dishwasher's power cable to ensure it was not accidentally unplugged during use. Check your house's fuse box or circuit breaker to determine if power is being supplied to the dishwasher. A flipped circuit switch or blown fuse requires resetting the power or replacing the fuse respectively.
- 2
  Push "Heated Dry" on the front of the Kenmore dishwasher's control panel for four seconds. The heated dry button activates and deactivates the appliance's lock feature to disable or enable touch commands.
- 3
  Touch "Cancel/Drain" to manually drain the current load. The dishwasher takes up to two minutes to completely drain the water from its interior.
- 4
  Pull the dishwasher's handle slowly to open the door. Contact the Kenmore repair line to set up a free repair appointment if the dishwasher is within its one-year warranty period.

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