Why Does My Whirlpool Dishwasher Stop Mid-Cycle? (Find Out Now!)

Whirlpool dishwashers are famous for being reliable, but that doesn’t mean they’re without issues. A common issue among certain Whirlpool models is having a dishwasher that suddenly stops mid-cycle. This leaves dishes partially cleaned and can even leave a wet mess in your kitchen. If this happened to you, you’re right to be upset. Thankfully, a fix is just around the corner…

There are several reasons why a Whirlpool dishwasher would suddenly quit in the middle of its cycle. Most people who have this problem will be able to fix it by looking at the following items:

Sometimes, it’s not just a matter of having the dishwasher quit halfway through a cycle. In many situations, you will notice other symptoms alongside the sudden stop. If you notice that your dishwasher is leaking, if it’s making a strange noise, or if it’s not getting power, then take note of that. In most cases, you can narrow down what is going on from that alone.

When we wrote this article, we tried to focus on causes that would cause the washer to stop mid-cycle but wouldn’t have very noticeable problems outside of that symptom. Should you notice other problems alongside this, do a troubleshoot for the bigger symptoms instead. This will likely fix the “sudden quit” problem your machine has.

It obviously depends on whether you’re going to be doing this DIY or with help of a professional, plus the part that needs replacement. If you can simply unclog a sprayer or an inlet valve, the parts will be free. A door latch replacement will be the cheapest part to replace and will cost between $25 to $40.

If you are out of luck, you might need to replace the control panel or control board. This is the most expensive repair, with the parts alone costing between $50 and $250 for most models. This does not include the cost of labor. Most repairmen will charge a minimum of $50 for a diagnostic, with an average of $50 to $70 per hour for repairs.

It depends on the problem. Most people will have no problem removing a clog from the inlet valve or arm sprayer. The same can be said about doing a reset. However, things can get dicey when it comes to repairing the door latch or switching. Most major part replacements, such as the control panel or control board are fairly tricky—medium to hard, as far as difficulty levels go.

If you ever feel like you’re in over your head, don’t panic and don’t feel bad. Appliance repair isn’t like woodworking or painting. It’s complex, and hiring someone to fix it isn’t that bad a thing. If anything, it can be a good indicator that you won’t incur other repairs due to breaking something while you’re fixing stuff.

Believe it or not, the answer is not always. If it’s a minor issue, you probably should replace the dishwasher part. On the other hand, if your model is old and the part is the control board (or panel), the answer is a resounding no. A good rule to follow is to avoid paying more than 50 percent of the price of a replacement, especially if your dishwasher is on the way out.

It’s important to remember that most Whirlpool dishwashers will cost between $300 to $600 brand new. If your repair price is $250 for the parts alone, it would be silly to try to repair it. Buying a new one would be the easiest way to fix things and keep things fixed.

Related Questions

What is the life expectancy of a typical Whirlpool dishwasher?

Whirlpool appliances are remarkably constant when it comes to their lifespans, especially when it comes to dishwashers. Almost all of the Whirlpool dishwashers on the market have a lifespan of 10 years, including both low-end and high-end models. If you are a stickler for longevity, the best brand that you can choose is Miele, which has a lifespan of 20 years.

What are some of the common issues that Whirlpool dishwashers have?

Whirlpool dishwashers tend to have problems turning on, drying dishes, and actually getting the dishes clean. This is because they tend to have issues with clogged water inlets as well as problems with the door latch sensors. With that said, you shouldn’t generalize when it comes to brand problems. The best way to know what to worry about with your model is to read up on model-specific complaints.

Is Whirlpool a good brand for dishwashers?

While Whirlpool does have a good reputation for the dishwashing equipment they make, they are more of an “upper-middle-range” kind of brand. Currently, the most popular dishwasher brand in terms of workmanship and reliability tends to be Miele. This is the only brand that boasts a lifespan of 20 years. LG and Samsung are close seconds, with lifespans of 13 and 15 years, max.