If your Whirlpool dishwasher stops mid-cycle, the most likely problem is a bad or clogged water inlet valve. When the valve fails, the dishwasher can drain the sump area and then stall before the next fill, which makes it seem like the dishwasher stops during cycle or shuts off mid-cycle for no reason. After that, check the door latch, since a weak or damaged latch can cause the door switch to tell the control board to stop the cycle. It also pays to check for fault codes, because a Whirlpool dishwasher that stops mid-cycle will often flash a code that points you in the right direction. If no code helps, the control board may not be sending power where it should. Less often, the circulation pump or the full pump and motor assembly is the issue, especially if the dishwasher fills but you hear only a humming sound or the wash impeller area is jammed with debris. On RepairClinic.com, you can enter your model number to find the exact Whirlpool replacement part for your dishwasher, whether you need a water inlet valve, door latch, control board, circulation pump, or pump and motor assembly.
01 - Whirlpool Dishwasher Water Inlet Valve
The water inlet valve opens to allow water to enter the dishwasher. If the water valve fails, the dishwasher will stop in mid-cycle after the remaining water in the sump area has drained prior to the fill cycle. The water inlet valve coil can be tested for electrical continuity to help determine if the part is faulty. The valve could also be clogged. A clogged valve can not be cleaned and should be replaced.
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The dishwasher door needs to be properly latched for the appliance to work. If the latch is faulty, the door switch could signal the control board to stop the dishwasher in mid-cycle. Inspect the door latch for any damage and replace if necessary.
If the dishwasher stop mid-cycle, a fault code will usually be displayed to help diagnose the issue. Refer to the owner's manual or do an on-line search to find out more information regarding what the fault code means.
Common
04 - Whirlpool Dishwasher Control Board
A dishwasher's control board provides power to nearly every electrical component in the dishwasher. A faulty board may be unable to supply power to all of the electrical components which can cause the dishwasher to stop mid-cycle.
The circulation pump uses a motor and impeller to force water up through the wash arms. If the circulation pump is defective, the dishes won’t be cleaned properly. If the motor isn’t making any noise or is just making a humming sound after the dishwasher has filled, the motor may be burned out. First, ensure that power is getting to the motor. Second, to ensure that the impeller can turn, check the pump housing for debris. If power is getting to the motor and the pump is clear of debris, the motor might need to be replaced. Be aware that the circulation pump may be challenging to replace, although many do-it-yourselfers ha...ve been successful with the replacement.
The motor drives an impeller to force water up through the wash arms. If the motor is defective, the pump impeller is broken, or some part of the pump is clogged, dishes won’t be cleaned properly. Make sure that power is getting to the circulation pump and motor. If power is getting to the pump and motor assembly but it still won’t run, replace the pump and motor assembly.