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Dishwashers - Troubleshooting

Click on the tabs below to view helpful tips for your appliance. If you need further assistance, please contact Thermador Customer Support: 1-800-735-4328.
Dishwashers Product KO shot

How to Reset the Dishwasher

Please refer to your owner's manual to learn how to reset your dishwasher. If you do not have an owner's manual, you can download it here.

Sapphire dishwashers custom panel closed

The Dishwasher Display Does Not Light Up

There are several solutions for this problem:

  • The power switch may not be switched on. Push the power switch on.
  • For models with the controls on the top portion of the door, the display will only illuminate when the door is opened and the controls are visible.
  • For certain models that have the controls on the face of the dishwasher, the display will only illuminate when the door is closed.
Thermador sapphire professional dishwasher closed

The Dishwasher is Not Filling with Water

There are several solutions for this problem:

  • The previous wash cycle was not completed before unloading your items. To complete the cycle, reset the dishwasher according to the instructions in your owner's manual. If you do not have an owner's manual, you can download it here.
  • The water supply may be blocked. Check that the water supply valve (typically located under the kitchen sink) is open and ensure that the water supply line has no kinks or clogs. To ensure the water supply line has no kinks or clogs, shut off the supply, disconnect the hose, and flush the line by passing two gallons of water through the line. Check and ensure the household water supply is not turned off.
  • The delay start is active. Cancel the delay start or wait until the delay is complete.

The Dishwasher Won't Drain

There are several solutions for this problem:

  • The drain lines are blocked. Check the drain lines for blockages in the garbage disposal and air gap. After clearing the blockage, select the CANCEL / DRAIN program.
  • The drain pump is blocked by debris. Empty the water from inside the dishwasher using a ladle or something similar. Consult your owner's manual to learn how to unblock the drain pump. In the future, scrape off large debris on the dishes before placing them into the dishwasher.
  • The dishwasher filter may not be clean. Refer to your owner's manual to learn how to properly remove the filter. Rinse the filter and its components under lukewarm water. Gently use a scrub brush to remove particles. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth.

If you do not have an owner's manual, you can download it here.

Please note, the drain hose must have a “high loop” between 20” and 50” above the floor to pump properly. Consult the installation instructions for more details. You can download the installation instructions here. If the drain extension is used, ensure the max length of the drain hose, including the hose leading to the air gap, is no more than 150”.

The Filter is Blocked

If the filter is blocked, remove the filter from the bottom of the dishwasher. Please refer to your owner's manual to learn how to locate and remove the filter. If you do not have an owner's manual, you can download it here. Remove any debris from the filter and wash it under running water. Gently use a scrub to remove any particles that are still stuck on the filter. Dry and properly reinstall in the dishwasher.

More Troubleshooting Topics

Power & Malfunction

The desired cycle cannot be selected or the cycle time on my dishwasher adjusts in the middle of a wash cycle.

If you are unable to select a cycle, the previous cycle may not have finished. Refer to the "Operating the Dishwasher" section of your owner's manual for instructions. If you do not have an owner's manual, you can download it here.

If you notice the cycle time on your dishwasher adjusts in the middle of a wash cycle, this is normal. The dishwasher uses sensors to detect the amount of soil in the wash water and adjusts wash conditions based on this information to ensure a proper wash is achieved. The display changes accordingly during the cycle.

The dishwasher is running for a long time.

The dishwasher runs for a longer time due to the following reasons:

  • The incoming water is not hot enough. If this happens, the wash cycle will extend to heat the water internally in the dishwasher’s heat pump. To reduce wash time, briefly run the hot water faucet at the sink closest to the dishwasher before starting the dishwasher.
  • Heavily soiled dishes can prolong the washing time. The sensors in the dishwasher extend the cycle time to wash off heavy food soils.
  • The rinse aid dispenser is empty. The dishwasher extends cycle time to compensate for the lack of rinse aid by adding a longer final rinse. Add rinse aid to avoid this.
  • The dishwasher is connected to a cold water supply. The wash cycle extends to heat the water internally in the dishwasher’s heat pump. Connect the dishwasher to a hot water source to reduce run time.
Noise & Sound

There is noise during the wash cycle.

The water circulation sound is normal. If you suspect items are banging into each other or into the spray arms, refer to your owner’s manual for optimal arrangement. If you do not have an owner's manual, you can download it here.

The dishwasher beeps.

The dishwasher beeps when a dishwashing cycle has finished. This feature can be deactivated if desired. To deactivate this feature or adjust the volume, refer to your owner's manual. If you do not have an owner's manual, you can download it here.