KitchenAid Dishwasher Front Status Light Colors: what blue, red and white mean

What Front Status Lights means

Select KitchenAid dishwashers with a front status light, such as the KDTM404KPS and KDFE104HPS, show the cycle stage in color. Blue means the dishwasher is washing, red means it is drying, white means the cycle is complete, and a blinking light means the cycle is paused. These colors are normal signals, not error codes, and they let you read the dishwasher from across the kitchen.

Common causes of Front Status Lights

Blue shows the wash stage is running.
Red shows the drying stage.
White shows the cycle has finished.
Blinking shows the cycle is paused, often because the door was opened.

✓ One safe check you can try

1. Note the color of the front light. 2. If it blinks, check that the door is fully shut and latched. 3. Press Start or Resume if the cycle is paused. 4. Wait for white before unloading. 5. If the colors do not match what the dishwasher is doing, call us.

! Why to stop there

The colors are signals, not failures, so nothing needs replacing.
A light that never changes with the cycle could point to the control.
Only then do we quote in writing; repairs carry 30 days of warranty.

Opening a panel yourself does not automatically cancel a manufacturer warranty, but it can cause accidental damage, and some manufacturers set their own service conditions. Check your warranty terms, or ask us, before deciding.

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Other Dishwasher codes

Sanitized light blinking (legacy)KitchenAid Legacy Dishwasher Sanitized Light Blinking: load is not sanitized Start/Resume light blinking (legacy and current)KitchenAid Dishwasher Start/Resume Light Blinking: cycle paused, press within 4 seconds F7E2KitchenAid Dishwasher Code F7E2: wash motor error F8E1KitchenAid Dishwasher Code F8E1: not detecting water, same as H2O F8E2KitchenAid Dishwasher Code F8E2: fill valve electrical error F8E4KitchenAid Dishwasher Code F8E4: water in the base, drain sequence runs F8E5KitchenAid Dishwasher Code F8E5: the fill valve is stuck open F9E1KitchenAid Dishwasher Code F9E1: long drain, check filter and hose

Front Status LightsFront Status Lights questions

What does a red front light mean?

Red means the dishwasher is in its drying stage. Blue is washing, white is complete, and blinking is paused. They only tell you where the cycle stands.

Why is my light blinking?

Blinking shows a paused cycle. The door may have been opened. Close it firmly and press Start or Resume if needed. A color that never changes may be worth a look.

When is a light a problem?

When its color does not match the cycle for a long time. Then we inspect the control, quote in writing first, and warrant our work for 30 days.