Whirlpool Dishwasher fills with water then stops

Common reasons your Whirlpool Dishwasher fills with water then stops

The most common reasons your Whirlpool dishwasher fills with water then stops are a faulty circulation pump, a failed water level switch, or a defective electronic control board.

29% of the time it's the
Circulation Pump

17% of the time it's the
Water Level Switch

17% of the time it's the
Electronic Control Board

37% of the time it's the
Something else

Schedule your dishwasher repair now!

We can help! Our service technicians have repaired over 5,000 Whirlpool dishwashers. We can fix yours no matter where you bought it.

Call (646) 440-2692 or schedule online now.

What our customers say about us

With more than 1.3 Million 5 Star Reviews, you don't have to take our word for it

Thorough

James called to give an estimated arrival time. He was professional and personable. He had 2 professional ideas of the problem and found 1 was correct, but he didn't stop there. He did a thorough check of the appliance. 1 small part was needed. He ordered the part to my house. Fortunately, he was able to schedule for the next week, just before Thanksgiving. As before, he called ahead, arrived and quickly fixed the problem. My appliance is working perfectly.

Kirsten A, Oxford, PA

Service Call

Luke was great. Polite and knowledgeable even though the dishwasher was older than he!

James G, Hillsboro, MO

Daniel

Daniel went above and beyond to fix my dish washer. Very pleasant to deal with.

Paul F, Hghlnds Ranch, CO

Most common repairs needed to fix a Whirlpool dishwasher

Circulation Pump Replacement

A faulty circulation pump is often the problem when your dishwasher fills with water then stops. The pump sends water up through the spray arms to clean dishes during the cycle. If the pump isn't working, water enters the dishwasher, but it won't circulate to wash the dishes. You may hear unusual noises from the circulation pump such as buzzing or grinding when it isn't working, and dishes won't get clean. Schedule an in-home repair appointment through Sears Home Services to have a technician visit your home and fix the dishwasher if you suspect the circulation pump isn't working.

How to replace a dishwasher circulation pump and motor assembly

Water Level Switch Replacement

A dishwasher that fills with water then stops could have a failed water level switch. The switch detects how much water is in the dishwasher. If the switch fails, it might not detect any water, so the dishwasher won't start the cycle to wash the dishes. Determining if the water level switch has failed can be difficult. If your dishwasher fills with water but then stops, it's best to have a professional technician from Sears Home Services inspect the dishwasher.

Why does my dishwasher stop mid-cycle?

Electronic Control Board Replacement

A dishwasher that fills with water then stops could have a defective electronic control board. If the control board fails, it can stop sending signals to the circulation pump, and water won't circulate to the spray arms. Determining whether a control board is defective is difficult. Have a Sears Home Services technician diagnose and repair your dishwasher if it fills with water but then stops.

How to replace a dishwasher electronic control board

What to expect when you experience a Whirlpool dishwasher fills with water then stops issue

How is the dishwasher fills with water then stops issue fixed?

Correcting most dishwasher fills with water then stops issues involves replacing the circulation pump, water level switch, or electronic control board. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.

Sears Home Services recommendations for a dishwasher fills with water then stops problem

When a dishwasher fills with water but then stops, it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts, we recommend having a Sears Home Services professional perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of dishwasher failures.

What to look out for with a dishwasher fills with water then stops diagnosis

Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your dishwasher problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.

Repair Dishwasher Resources

Modern kitchen with a stainless steel dishwasher installed under marble countertops, highlighting a potential issue of dishwasher not filling with water.

Dishwasher Not Filling with Water? 5 Things to Check

Is your dishwasher not filling with water? Discover quick and effective troubleshooting steps to get it working again and prevent costly repairs.

4 min readSep. 05Dishwasher

Homeowner seeing his dishwasher not draining

Why Your Dishwasher Won’t Drain

If your dishwasher won't drain, learn how simple checks and advanced troubleshooting can help get it working again.

7 min readAug. 29Dishwasher

A mother and her son share a happy moment together as they load the dishwasher in their cozy kitchen.

How to Unclog a Bosch Dishwasher in 3 Steps

Learn how to unclog a Bosch dishwasher with our step-by-step guide. Discover practical tips for preventing future drainage issues for optimal performance.

7 min readJul. 19Dishwasher

Should You Repair or Replace Your Dishwasher?

The decision to repair or replace a malfunctioning dishwasher can be daunting.

5 min readJun. 17Dishwasher

Glossary Terms

What is Hard Water?

Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. It contrasts with soft water, which has lower concentrations of these minerals.

What is Wattage?

Wattage is the measure of electrical power expressed in watts (W), indicating the rate at which a device consumes energy.

What is Refrigerant?

Refrigerant is a chemical compound used in HVAC systems and refrigerators to absorb heat from the environment by cycling through states of evaporation and condensation, enabling the cooling process through its cycle of evaporation and condensation.

What is R-12 Refrigerant?

R-12 refrigerant, also known as Freon-12, is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) compound that was once widely used in air conditioning systems, refrigerators, and aerosol propellants before its phase-out due to environmental concerns.