One of the most common occurrences with such an appliance is the constant beeping sound that sometimes happens without warning. At first, you may be alarmed and panic about it. The good news is that the beeping is not necessarily a bad thing. It signifies a lot of things and could simply be a warning for you to act.
What matters more is understanding the meaning of the beeps and acting quickly. Usually, the beeping may signify a mishap. In most cases, it indicates the need to replace electronic components, or it could also be a case of wrong use.
As long as something is off, the sensors in the dishwasher will cause it to beep or flash until the issue is resolved. Ideally, your whirlpool dishwasher should not blink or beep but this is not always the case.
I will explore some of the most common reasons behind your whirlpool dishwasher beeping. You need to understand potential causes and how to fix them if you are to get to the bottom of things.
Why is the Whirlpool Dishwasher Beeping?
It is a Warning Sign
As I had mentioned earlier, your dishwasher is manufactured in a way that it senses when something is off. This is a self-preserving mechanism that helps the machine last longer and serves you better. Therefore, before things get out of hand, the machine will devise a warning sign. Usually, the beeping and flashing of lights are the first signs.
As a smart user, you should never ignore the beeping. Act fast and investigate the beeping from the machine. It is unfortunate that it may not be easy to locate the issue since the manual does not point it out explicitly. Even so, it is not worth ignoring. You need to verify that this is not a false alarm.
Fix – Investigate the Source of the Beep and Rectify the Problem
- Find out the exact cause of the beeping by observing when it beeps and if there is an accompanying error code to decipher. Note that the pattern, number of beeps, and the accompanying error codes all signify different issues.
- The button beep is the normal occurrence that happens in many whirlpool dishwasher models. All you have to do is go to the display menu and deactivate the beeping to resolve the issue. Note that deactivating the beeping sound depends on the model and type of dishwasher. What works for one machine may not necessarily be suited for another. Refer to the manual and website for appropriate action. Some of the most common options include
- Holding the ‘Hi Temp’ for five seconds
- Pressing the ‘Start/Resume’ within two seconds
- Make use of the ‘Cycle’ or ‘Normal’ to locate the sound feature in the menu.
- Utilize the ‘Start/Resume’ to enter the sub-menu.
- Apply the ‘Cycle’ or ‘Normal’ to turn the sound off.
- Utilize the ‘Start/Menu’ as a way of confirming your selection.
2. The Door May be Opened
You will also hear the beeping sound from your dishwasher if the door is opened mid-cycle. Usually, you will have to confirm that the door latch is not faulty. In case the door is the issue, the beeping should stop when you close it properly.
If it persists then you need to find another cause. Note that the beeping will be accompanied by the washer not starting if the door is the issue.
If it was working before and then suddenly stops and beeps then there is a possibility that the door latch is problematic or you may have opened the dishwasher without knowing. Continuous beeping may also signify an unlatched door depending on the model of the dishwasher.
Fix – Check the Door Latch and Confirm that the Door is Closed
- Monitor the pattern of the beeps. If it occurs every 30 seconds then chances are that you left the door open. This can be fixed by simply closing the washer’s door
- In case you accidentally opened the washer mid-cycle then you have two options. First, you need to restart the wash cycle. Second, you can reset the dishwasher. Note that the reset method depends on the model of the Whirlpool dishwasher you are dealing with. However, the bottom line is that resetting will get rid of any glitches.
- Replace the defective door latch. In case the door latch is the problem, have professionals check and rectify the issue.
3. The Dishwasher May Have no Soap
.Sometimes the issues are not that complex. If the above solutions do not work, then check the soap dispenser. Your dishwasher may simply need you to add more soap.
Fix – Refill the Soap Dispenser
- Note that the dishwasher will beep if there is insufficient soap in the dispenser. This can easily be resolved by adding/ refilling the dispenser and then restarting the wash cycle.
- In case this does not work, confirm that the water level is also right. In case of insufficient water, the machine will also beep. This is an opportunity to investigate the inlet and float valves and eliminate blockages that interfere with the water rising to the right levels.
4. The Water May have Infiltrated Delicate Components
Dishwashers are electronic devices. This means that they are sensitive to moisture and water, especially on the electronic parts. Fortunately, the modern models are okay as they have mechanisms to ensure this does not happen. They come with anti-flooding systems that are quick to react to the presence of moisture.
Usually, when the dishwasher beeps 3 times, this signifies flooding from a leak. You may also see a pool of water under the dishwasher as proof of this. The machine’s anti-flooding mechanism should warn you in case of such an occurrence. Act quickly to find the source of the leak and have it fixed.
It is also possible that the appliance may have a faulty pressure sensor. As such, it could beep four times to signify a draining issue. Finally, if it beeps 5 times, then the possibility of the rotor being blocked is high. The beeping often happens when the flood switch activates in certain models.
Fix – Find the Source of the Leak and Repair
- Your goal should be to keep the electronic components free from moisture. The machine is already designed to disallow water into such critical components. However, flooding can interfere with this. It is important therefore to find leaks quickly and have them repaired. Hire professionals to assist with this.
- Replace any electronic components that may have been damaged by the flooding water.
5. Broken or Malfunctioning Reed Sensor
The reed sensor is an important component in your dishwasher. It is responsible for preventing any obstructions to the spray arms. Unfortunately, the reed sensor may not deliver if they wear out, break down, or malfunction. If any of these happens, then the dishwasher will beep as a warning.
Fix – Ensure the Reed Sensors are not Blocked and Replace the Worn Out Parts
- The beep may be caused by the spray arms being blocked by too many dishes. This is not a big deal as all you need to do is remove the extra dishes. In case the amount of dishes is appropriate, move them around by rearranging them so that the spray arms are not blocked.
- Have an expert check that the reed sensors are not old and worn out. If so, they should recommend the best replacement and fix them professionally. Note that there are repairs that need the professional intervention of experts.
6. Electronic Glitches
Sometimes the dishwasher malfunctions because of electronic glitches. These are often out of anyone’s control. For instance, a power surge, or power outage can be responsible for such beeping sounds.
Most of the time, electronic glitches will manifest in several ways. For example, the dishwasher may beep continuously. Such a glitch can also cause the machine to beep during the cycle or mid-cycle. To fix such issues, you may have to reset the machine
Fix – Reset the Dishwasher
- Resetting the dishwasher is the fastest and easiest way to get rid of all manner of electronic glitches. To do this, start by shutting off the appliance
- Unplug the washer from the power source and wait for a few minutes
- Plug it back into the wall outlet and switch it on. That should reset the dishwasher and resolve all the electronic glitches.
However, you should note that there are many things that could go wrong with the dishwasher to trigger the beeping. Other concerns that need the intervention of professional Whirlpool technicians include loose wiring, flow meter faults, power surges, defective pressure switches, and short circuits to mention a few.
You need to understand when to act on your own and when to contact customer support. I would advise reaching out to the customer support center if you also want to keep your warranty since any interference voids it.
