This document provides a comprehensive guide to operating and maintaining a Whirlpool dishwasher, covering everything from initial setup to troubleshooting.
Product Description
The dishwasher features an upper rack, foldable flaps, an upper rack height adjuster, an upper spray arm, a lower rack, a Power Clean® support, a cutlery basket, a lower spray arm, a filter assembly, a salt reservoir, detergent and rinse aid dispensers, a rating plate, and a control panel.
The control panel includes an On-Off/Reset button, a program selection button, a Multizone button, a Sani Rinse button (which also functions as a Key lock), an Eco program indicator light, a Key lock indicator light, a display, a program number and remaining time indicator, a Tablet (Tab) indicator light, a closed water tap indicator light, a Rinse Aid refill indicator light, a Salt refill indicator light, a Power Clean® button, a Tablet (Tab) button, a Delay button, and a Start/Pause button (which also functions as a Drain out button).
First Time Use
Salt, Rinse Aid, and Detergent:
Before first use, remove stoppers and elastic elements from the racks.
Filling the Salt Reservoir:
The salt reservoir, located at the bottom of the dishwasher, prevents limescale. Fill it when the SALT REFILL indicator light illuminates. Remove the lower rack, unscrew the cap, and for the first time, fill with water. Use the provided funnel to add approximately 1 kg of dishwasher salt until it reaches the edge. Clean any spilled salt and ensure the cap is tightly screwed on to prevent detergent contamination. It's recommended to fill the salt reservoir before starting a wash cycle.
Setting Water Hardness:
To optimize the water softener, set the water hardness according to your local water supply. The factory setting is "average" (level 3). To adjust:
- Switch the appliance on and then off using the ON/OFF button.
- Press and hold the START/Pause button for 5 seconds until a beep is heard.
- Switch the appliance on again. The current level number and salt indicator light will flash.
- Press the P button to select the desired hardness level (from 1 to 5, ranging from soft to very hard).
- Switch the appliance off to save the setting.
After this, run a program without loading. Only use dishwasher-specific salt. Failure to fill the salt container can damage the water softener and heating element.
Filling the Rinse Aid Dispenser:
Rinse aid improves drying. Fill the dispenser when the RINSE AID REFILL indicator light is on. Open the dispenser by pressing and pulling up the lid. Pour in up to 110 ml of rinse aid, avoiding overflow. Close the lid until it clicks. Never pour rinse aid directly into the appliance tub.
Adjusting Rinse Aid Dosage:
If drying results are unsatisfactory, adjust the rinse aid quantity:
- Switch the dishwasher on and then off.
- Press START/Pause three times (a beep will sound).
- Switch the dishwasher on. The current level number and rinse aid indicator light will flash.
- Press the P button to select the desired rinse aid quantity (levels 1-5). Level 1 (ECO) means no rinse aid is supplied.
- Switch the dishwasher off.
If bluish streaks appear on dishes, set a lower number (2-3). If water drops or limescale marks appear, set a mid-range number (4-5).
Filling the Detergent Dispenser:
Open the detergent dispenser using device A. Add detergent to the dry dispenser B only. For pre-washing, place detergent directly inside the tub. Refer to the dispenser's indications for proper dosing. Remove any detergent residues from the edges and close the cover until it clicks. The dispenser opens automatically during the program. If using all-in-one detergents, activate the TABLET button for optimal washing and drying.
Programs Description
The dishwasher offers several programs tailored to different needs:
- 1 ECO: For normally soiled crockery, this standard program is the most efficient in terms of combined energy and water consumption.
- 2 6th SENSE®: For normally soiled dishes with dried food residues. This program senses the soiling level and adjusts the cycle accordingly. An animation on the display indicates sensor activity, and the cycle duration updates.
- 3 Intensive: Recommended for heavily soiled crockery, especially for pans and saucepans (not for delicate items).
- 4 Crystals: For delicate items sensitive to high temperatures, such as glasses and cups.
- 5 Rapid 30': For lightly soiled dishes with no dried food residues.
- 6 Pre-Wash: To refresh crockery intended for later washing. No detergent is used.
- 7 Self-Clean: For dishwasher maintenance, cleaning the interior with hot water.
Rapid or Fast cycles are most effective for lightly soiled dishes. To reduce consumption, run the dishwasher only when it's full.
Options and Functions
Options are selected by pressing the corresponding button. If an option is incompatible with the selected program, its LED will flash rapidly three times, a beep will sound, and the option will not be enabled.
- MULTI ZONE: For partial loads, this option saves water, electricity, and detergent. Select the program, then press MULTIZONE. The indicator above the button lights up, and the chosen rack symbol appears on the display. By default, the appliance washes dishes in all racks. To wash only a specific rack, press the button repeatedly:
- One dash: only lower rack.
- Two dashes: only upper rack.
- OFF: option is off, and the appliance washes all racks.
Remember to load only the upper or lower rack and reduce detergent accordingly.
- SANI RINSE: Sanitizes washed dishes by increasing the final rinse temperature and adding antibacterial wash. Select the program, then press SANI RINSE. The indicator light will illuminate. To deselect, press the button again. Ideal for crockery and feeding bottles. The dishwasher door must remain shut for the entire program to guarantee germ reduction. If the door opens, the indicator lamp flashes. Be aware that crockery and plates may be extremely hot at the end of the cycle.
- KEYLOCK: A long press (3 seconds) of the SANI RINSE button activates the KEYLOCK function, blocking the control panel except the ON/OFF button. Long press again to deactivate.
- WATER TAP CLOSED – Alarm: Flashes when there is no inlet water or the water tap is closed.
- POWER CLEAN®: Provides intensive and powerful wash in the lower rack's specific area using additional power jets. Recommended for pots and casseroles. Press this button to activate Power Clean® (indicator lights up).
- TABLET (Tab): Optimizes program performance for combined detergents (rinse aid, salt, and detergent in one dose). Press the TABLET button (indicator light and symbol illuminate) when using tablet detergents. This option should be off for powder or liquid detergents.
- DELAY: Delays program start from 0:30 to 24 hours.
- Select program and options. Press DELAY repeatedly to set the delay (0:30 increments for selections below 4 hours, 1:00 increments for selections below 12 hours, 4-hour increments for selections above 12 hours). If 24 hours is reached, pressing the button again deactivates the delay.
- Press START/PAUSE: the timer counts down.
- Once elapsed, the indicator light switches off, and the program starts.
If START/PAUSE is pressed during countdown, DELAY is canceled, and the program starts immediately. DELAY cannot be set once a program has started.
- DRAIN OUT: To stop and cancel an active cycle, long press the START/PAUSE button. The active program will stop, and water will be drained from the dishwasher.
Loading the Racks
Upper Rack:
Load delicate and light dishes: glasses, cups, saucers, low salad bowls. The upper rack has tip-up supports for arranging tea/dessert saucers vertically or bowls and food containers horizontally.
Adjusting the Height of the Upper Rack:
The upper basket height can be adjusted to accommodate bulky crockery in the lower basket or maximize space in the tip-up compartments. The upper rack is equipped with a height adjuster. To raise, simply hold the rack sides and lift until stable. To lower, press levers (A) at the sides and move the basket downwards. Avoid adjusting the height when loaded or raising/lowering only one side.
Foldable Flaps with Adjustable Position:
Side foldable flaps can be positioned at three heights to optimize crockery arrangement. Wine glasses can be safely placed by inserting their stems into the slots. Incline the flaps more for optimal drying. To change inclination, pull up, slide, and reposition.
Sliding Tray:
The upper rack includes a sliding tray for small crockery and cutlery. Avoid positioning bulky crockery directly below the tray for optimal washing. The tray is removable.
Lower Rack:
For pots, lids, plates, salad bowls, cutlery, etc. Place large plates and lids at the sides to avoid interfering with the spray arm. The lower rack has tip-up supports for arranging plates vertically or pans and salad bowls horizontally.
Cutlery Basket:
Fitted with top grids for improved cutlery arrangement. Position it at the front of the lower rack. Knives and sharp utensils must be placed with points facing downwards or horizontally in the upper rack's tip-up compartments.
POWER CLEAN®:
Uses special water jets in the rear to intensively wash heavily soiled items. The lower rack has a Space Zone, a pull-out support for upright frying or baking pans. To use, activate POWER CLEAN® on the panel. Adjust the Power Clean® area by folding down the rear plate holders. Load pots and casseroles vertically, inclined towards the power water jets.
Daily Use
- Check Water Connection: Ensure the dishwasher is connected to the water supply and the tap is open.
- Switch On: Press the ON/OFF button.
- Load Racks: Arrange crockery as described in "Loading the Racks."
- Fill Detergent Dispenser: Add detergent as described in "Filling the Detergent Dispenser."
- Choose Program and Customize Cycle: Select the appropriate program (see "Programs Description") by pressing the P button. Select desired options (see "Options and Functions").
- Start: Press the START/Pause button. A beep indicates the program has started.
- End of Wash Cycle: The display shows END, and beeps sound. Open the door and switch off the appliance. Wait a few minutes before unloading to avoid burns, starting with the lower rack.
The machine automatically switches off during extended periods of inactivity to minimize electricity consumption. If crockery is lightly soiled or pre-rinsed, reduce the amount of detergent used.
Modifying a Running Program:
If a wrong program was selected early in the cycle, press and hold ON/OFF to switch off. Switch back on, select the new cycle and options, then press START/Pause.
Adding Extra Crockery:
Without switching off, open the door (beware of hot steam!), place crockery inside, close the door, and press START/Pause. The cycle will resume from where it was interrupted.
Accidental Interruptions:
If the door opens or there's a power cut, the cycle stops. Once the door is closed or power is restored, press START/Pause to resume.
Advice and Tips
Tips:
Remove all food residues and empty glasses before loading. No pre-rinsing under running water is needed. Arrange crockery firmly, with openings facing downwards and concave/convex parts obliquely for proper water flow. Ensure lids, handles, trays, and frying pans don't obstruct sprayer arm rotation. Place small items in the cutlery basket. Place very soiled dishes and pans in the lower basket for stronger water sprays. After loading, ensure sprayer arms rotate freely.
Hygiene:
To prevent odor and sediment, run a high-temperature program at least once a month. Use a teaspoon of detergent and run it without loading to clean the appliance.
Unsuitable Crockery:
Avoid wooden crockery/cutlery, delicate decorated glasses, artistic handicraft, antique crockery, synthetic materials not resistant to high temperatures, copper, tin crockery, and crockery soiled with ash, wax, lubricating grease, or ink. Colors of glass decorations and aluminum/silver pieces may change or fade. Some crystal objects may become opaque after multiple washes.
Damage to Glass and Crockery:
Only use dishwasher-safe glasses and porcelain. Use a delicate detergent. Collect glasses and cutlery immediately after the wash cycle.
Care and Maintenance
Cleaning the Filter Assembly:
Regularly clean the filter assembly to prevent clogging and ensure proper waste water flow. The assembly consists of three filters that remove food residues. The dishwasher must not be used without filters or if they are loose. After several washes, clean the filters under running water with a non-metallic brush:
- Turn cylindrical filter A anti-clockwise and pull it out.
- Remove cup filter B by exerting slight pressure on side flaps.
- Slide out stainless-steel plate filter C.
- Inspect the trap and remove food residues. Do not remove the wash-cycle pump protection (black detail).
After cleaning, replace the filter assembly and fix it correctly for efficient dishwasher operation.
Cleaning the Spray Arms:
Food residue can encrust and block spray arm holes. Check and clean them periodically with a small non-metallic brush. To remove the upper spray arm, turn the plastic locking ring anti-clockwise. Replace it with the side having more holes facing upwards. The lower spray arm can be removed by pulling it upwards.
Cleaning the Water Inlet Hose:
If water hoses are new or unused for an extended period, let water run to clear impurities before connecting. This prevents blockages and damage to the dishwasher.
Troubleshooting
If the dishwasher isn't working properly, consult the following before contacting Service Centre:
- Dishwasher won't start or respond to commands:
- Possible Cause: Not plugged in properly. Solution: Insert plug into socket.
- Possible Cause: Power outage. Solution: Dishwasher starts automatically when power returns.
- Possible Cause: Door not closed. Solution: Push door vigorously until it clicks.
- Possible Cause: Doesn't respond to commands. Solution: Switch off/on, wait a minute, and reset program.
- Dishwasher won't drain:
- Possible Cause: Wash cycle not finished. Solution: Wait for cycle to finish.
- Possible Cause: Drain hose bent. Solution: Check drain hose.
- Possible Cause: Sink drain pipe blocked. Solution: Clean sink drain pipe.
- Possible Cause: Filter clogged. Solution: Clean filter assembly.
- Dishwasher makes excessive noise:
- Possible Cause: Dishes rattling. Solution: Position crockery correctly.
- Possible Cause: Excessive foam. Solution: Check detergent dosing/suitability. Reset by pressing DRAIN button and run new program without detergent.
- Dishes not clean:
- Possible Cause: Crockery not arranged properly. Solution: Arrange crockery correctly.
- Possible Cause: Spray arms obstructed. Solution: Arrange crockery correctly.
- Possible Cause: Wash cycle too gentle. Solution: Select appropriate wash cycle.
- Possible Cause: Excessive foam. Solution: Check detergent dosing/suitability.
- Possible Cause: Rinse aid compartment cap not closed. Solution: Ensure cap is closed.
- Possible Cause: Filter soiled/clogged. Solution: Clean filter assembly.
- Possible Cause: No salt. Solution: Fill salt reservoir.
For more information, maintenance, and troubleshooting, refer to the Use and Care Guide available via After-Sales Service, website (docs.whirlpool.eu), or QR code. When contacting After-Sales Service, provide the codes from the rating plate inside the dishwasher door.