My Kenmore Dishwasher Controller Is Stuck

Controller Issues

• A stuck controller might indicate a problem with the controller itself, although this is not common, according to the Repair Clinic website. Still, if the dishwasher seems to otherwise be working, and you can manually move the controller forward, this might indicate that the controller needs to be replaced.

Cycle Issues

• The controller will get "stuck" if it can't progress from one cycle to another because of an internal issue with the sensors. The sensors tell the dishwasher to move to the next cycle. In many cases, they are triggered by the temperature of the water. If the sensors aren't triggered, it could be a problem with the thermostat that measures the temperature of the water, the heating element that heats up the water, or the sensors themselves. Any of these issues will need to be diagnosed and repaired by a technician.

Drain Issues

• If the controller seems to be getting stuck when the dishwasher is full of water, it could be an issue with the drain. The strainer might be clogged with food, or the valve that opens to release the water might be stuck. Sometimes, the drain pipe that leads from the dishwasher to the garbage disposal might become clogged as well. Clear these clogs manually, or if you can't see the source of the problem, call a repair person.

Timer Issues

• Timer problems such as controller problems are uncommon. Still, if your dishwasher does not seem to be working properly, and everything else has been eliminated, it could be that your timer is broken. Without a working timer, your dishwasher will be unable to progress through the washing and drying cycles, because the timer works together with the sensors. In this case, it will have to be replaced entirely because they cannot be repaired.