Dishwasher has power but won't run? Could be demo mode

You finally got the dishwasher of your dreams, even though you did have to buy the display model because it was the only one left. But now the darn thing won’t run. You start a cycle and the time counts down, but nothing else happens. What’s wrong? It could be that the dishwasher is still in the Sales Demo Mode. Most dishwashers with electronic controls have a demonstration mode to show the control console’s display features. When the dishwasher is in demo mode, the control console lights up and the timer counts down, but the dishwasher doesn’t really work. Sales Demo Mode doesn’t affect just new dishwashers either. The demo mode can turn on if you (or a curious child) press the right sequence of buttons. It’s even possible for the dishwasher to enter demo mode on its own because of a power surge or a control malfunction. If you find your dishwasher in demo mode, look up your dishwasher type to see how to disable the mode. This list covers a variety of Kenmore, KitchenAid, JennAir, Whirlpool, GE, Bosch and Electrolux models. If your model isn't covered in this list, contact the dishwasher manufacturer for the procedure to disable the demo mode.

Kenmore dishwashers

• Kenmore HE (2012 and newer): If you have a Kenmore high-efficiency dishwasher that has a digital display and was made  in 2012 or later, you can exit demo mode by pressing and holding the NORMAL WASH button for 5 seconds while pressing START 3 times.

• Kenmore HE (older than 2012): Follow these steps to disable the demo mode on a Kenmore high-efficiency dishwasher made before 2012 that has a digital display on the top edge of the door.

1. Press START/RESUME to wake the control.

2. Select 3 different buttons (except the START/RESUME and CANCEL buttons).

3. Press the buttons in this order: 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, with no more than a 1-second delay between button presses.

4. Close the door. The dishwasher runs through a 10-minute diagnostic test cycle and then disables the demo mode.

• Kenmore HE with LCD touch screen: To disable demo mode on a Kenmore high-efficiency dishwasher with a touch screen made in 2012 or later, follow these steps.

1. Unplug the dishwasher for 30 seconds to reset the control and then plug it back in. The Demo/Try It screen appears on the control panel upon power-up.

2. Find the Settings icon (it looks like a gear) in the top left corner of the display and the Information icon (i) in the top right corner.

3. Press those icons in this order within 5 seconds: INFORMATION, SETTINGS, INFORMATION, SETTINGS, INFORMATION.

• Kenmore Ultra Wash HE with Smart display: On a Kenmore Ultra Wash high-efficiency dishwasher with smart display, press the following buttons within 5 seconds to get it out of the demo mode: HEATED DRY, HI TEMP, HI TEMP, HEATED DRY, HI TEMP, HI TEMP.

• Kenmore Ultra Wash: To get a Kenmore Ultra Wash dishwasher out of demo mode, press the following buttons within 5 seconds: HI TEMP, HEATED DRY, HEATED DRY, HI TEMP, HEATED DRY, HEATED DRY.

• Kenmore 630 series: For Kenmore dishwashers that begin with model number 630, follow these steps to disable the demo mode.

1. Turn the dishwasher off if it's on.

2. Press and hold the CHINA and QUICK buttons, then press POWER. Then release all 3 buttons.

3. Press QUICK until C4 appears in the display.

4. Press POWER to exit the demo mode.

• Kenmore QuietGuard: You can cancel demo mode on a Kenmore QuietGuard dishwasher by pressing the following buttons within 5 seconds: HI TEMP SCRUB, AIR DRY, AIR DRY, HI TEMP SCRUB.

• Kenmore Ultra Wash QuietGuard: Press CANCEL/DRAIN and then start the Quick Rinse cycle. Allow the Quick Rinse cycle run completely to disable the demo mode on a Kenmore Ultra Wash QuietGuard dishwasher.

Whirlpool dishwashers

• Whirlpool Ultra Wash: To get a Whirlpool Ultra Wash dishwasher out of demo mode, press the following buttons within 5 seconds: HI TEMP, HEATED DRY, HEATED DRY, HI TEMP, HEATED DRY, HEATED DRY.

• Whirlpool HE: For a Whirlpool high-efficiency dishwasher with a digital display on the top edge of the door, follow this procedure to disable the demo mode.

1. Press START/RESUME to wake the control.

2. Select 3 different buttons (except the START/RESUME and CANCEL buttons).

3. Press the buttons in this order: 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, with no more than a 1-second delay between button presses.

4. Close the door. The dishwasher runs through a 10-minute diagnostic test cycle and then disables the demo mode.

• Whirlpool Sheer Clean: Press CANCEL/DRAIN and then start the Quick Rinse cycle. Allow the cycle to run completely to disable the demo mode in a Whirlpool Sheer Clean dishwasher.

GE dishwashers

• All General Electric dishwashers: For all GE dishwasher models, hold the START and HEATED DRY buttons for 5 seconds to disable the demo mode.

KitchenAid dishwashers

• KitchenAid HE: Follow these steps to disable demo mode on a KitchenAid high-efficiency dishwasher with a touch screen made in 2012 or later.

1. Unplug the dishwasher for 30 seconds to reset the control and then plug it back in. The Demo/Try It screen appears on the control panel upon power-up.

2. Find the Settings icon (it looks like a gear) in the top left corner of the display and the Information icon (i) in the top right corner.

3. Press the icons in this order within 5 seconds: INFORMATION, SETTINGS, INFORMATION, SETTINGS, INFORMATION.

• KitchenAid Superba: You can cancel demo mode for a KitchenAid Superba dishwasher by pressing the following buttons within 5 seconds: HI TEMP SCRUB, AIR DRY, AIR DRY, HI TEMP SCRUB.

• KitchenAid dish drawer: To disable the demo mode on a KitchenAid Dish Drawer, press the following buttons within 5 seconds: HI TEMP SCRUB, PRO DRY, PRO DRY, HI TEMP SCRUB, PRO DRY, PRO DRY.

Bosch dishwashers

• Bosch EcoSense: Follow these steps to turn off the demo mode on a Bosch EcoSense dishwasher.

1. Turn the dishwasher off if it's on.

2. Press and hold the CHINA and QUICK buttons. Press POWER then release all 3 buttons.

3. Press QUICK until C4 appears in the display.

4. Press POWER to exit the demo mode.

• Bosch Evolution with digital display: Use this procedure to exit the demo mode on a Bosch Evolution dishwasher with a digital display.

1. Press and hold START/PAUSE (display will show 0:01).

2. Press the forward selection (>) button and the DELAY button simultaneously (display will show 0:00).

3. Release all 3 buttons.

4. Press POWER within 10 seconds to turn off the dishwasher and exit demo mode.

• Bosch Evolution without digital display: To disable the demo mode on a Bosch Evolution dishwasher without a digital display, follow these steps.

1. Press and hold START.

2. Press the forward selection (>) button and the DELAY button at the same time.

3. Release all 3 buttons.

4. Press ON/OFF within 10 seconds to turn off the dishwasher and exit the demo mode.

• Bosch Integra: Follow these steps to exit the demo mode on a Bosch Integra dishwasher.

1. Press and hold START/RESET.

2. Press the backward selection (<) button and forward selection (>) button at the same time.

3. Release all 3 buttons.

4. Press ON/OFF within 10 seconds to turn off the dishwasher and disable the demo mode.

Electrolux dishwashers

• Electrolux with digital display: For an Electrolux dishwasher with a digital display, enter the demo menu and turn off the demo mode using this procedure.

1. Press and hold the OPTIONS button and forward selection (>) button for 5 seconds to enter the Demo Menu.

2. Press the forward selection (>) button until DEMO ON appears in the display.

3. Press SET to turn off the demo mode. DEMO OFF appears in the display.

4. Press and hold the OPTIONS button and the forward selection (>) button for 5 seconds to exit the Demo Menu.

Jenn-Air dishwashers

• Jenn-Air HE: Follow these steps to disable the demo mode on a Jenn-Air high-efficiency dishwasher with a touch screen made in 2012 or later.

1. Unplug the dishwasher for 30 seconds to reset the control and then plug it back in. The Demo/Try It screen appears on the control panel upon power-up.

2. Find the Settings icon (it looks like a gear) in the top left corner of the display and the Information icon (i) in the top right corner.

3. Press the icons in this order within 5 seconds: INFORMATION, SETTINGS, INFORMATION, SETTINGS, INFORMATION.