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Why Are 3 Lights Flashing on Your Kenmore Dishwasher? Here’s What It Means and How to Fix It
Among the most important devices in many homes, the dishwasher saves people time and effort in the kitchen. However, when this device malfunctions-especially if a number of lights start blinking-it becomes really frustrating. When you have a Kenwood dishwasher and there are three lights flashing on its control panel, you probably wonder what could be wrong and how to handle the problem.
Well, don’t be concerned; this blog post will take you through possible reasons why the lights are flashing and also give some practical tips to get your dishwasher back into order.

What Do the Flashing Lights Mean?
These blinking lights on a Kenwood dishwasher are not random but rather error codes, signaling that something has gone wrong. Three flashing lights at the same time indicate an overall fault or issue in the appliance. It is basically a way through which the dishwasher “informs” you what is wrong so you can act accordingly.
Following are the common reasons for this code:
Supply of Water
Not Enough Water Entering the Dishwasher, or a Blockage in Water Supply: this may be due to:
- A closed or partly closed water valve
- A kinked water hose
- Low supply of water pressure in your home
Drainage Problems
If there is any standing water in the bottom of the dishwasher, it may mean that there is a problem with the drainage. The drain filter, pump, and hose easily block up.
Blocked or Dirty Filters
Your filters catch all the big chunks and things so that your dishwasher doesn’t clog up. Your filters will block over time and create inefficiency in your appliance and cause lights to flash.
Electrical Faults
Sometimes, the fault may be with interior electronics. It could be a faulty sensor or a control board or a wire fault.
Faulty Overheating or Temperature Faults
This flashing light issue may indicate a heating element fault or failure of the temperature sensor.
Identification of the root cause is always the first step toward the resolution.
Steps to Resolve the Flashing Lights Issue
Before calling a professional, you can take a few initial steps in troubleshooting the problem yourself. Below, logical steps have been discussed for diagnosing or probably fixing it yourself:
1. Check the Water Supply
- Ensure the water valve is open and that the water is going to the dishwasher.
- Check the water inlet hose for twists or damages, and straighten those bends which restrict the flow of water.
- If your house has poor water pressure, then that could be a contributing factor. Try running the dishwasher during a time of the day when demand for water is lower.
2. Check the Drainage System
- Take out the bottom rack of the dishwasher and look for standing water.
- Clean the drain filter. Food particles or debris in the filter may be obstructing the flow of water.
- Disconnect the drain hose, if possible, and clean it from blockages. Use a pipe cleaner or any other similar tool to clear blockages.
3. Clean the Filters
- The filters are usually located at the bottom of the dishwasher. There is usually a coarse filter and a fine one.
- Take them out and rinse them well under warm running water. Use a soft brush to remove stubborn debris.
4. Perform a Reset
Sometimes, blinking lights simply mean that there is some temporary glitch in the system. A reset of your dishwasher may simply fix the problem:
- Switch the dishwasher off and pull the plug out of the socket (or switch off the circuit breaker).
- Wait 5 to 10 minutes, then plug it in and switch it on.
5. Check for Electrical Faults
If the above steps do not solve the problem, then it could be due to an internal sensor, fault in the control board, or wiring. While this usually requires a professional, you can check your dishwasher for apparent damage such as burnt wiring, fused components, or loose connections.
6. Heating Element Check
These lights can also flash due to overheating issues or temperature sensor errors; therefore, any visible damage to the heating element should be observed. If unsure, a technician can test it with appropriate equipment and replace it if necessary.

When to Call a Professional
If these three lights are still blinking after you’ve tried the above fixes, it’s time to get a professional. This can save your time and prevent you from making any unintentional damages. Describe the problem and the troubleshooting you have already performed so the repair professional may efficiently diagnose the problem.
Prevention of Issues in the Future
Regular maintenance will prevent some common issues and help you keep your Kenwood dishwasher running as smoothly as possible. Here are a few tips to help you get the most from your dishwasher:
- Clean Filters Regularly: Wash the filters once a month to avoid blockages and ensure proper water flow.
- Avoid Overloading: Overloading puts extra stress on the components of the dishwasher, which can easily lead to faults.
- Run Hot Water Before Starting a Cycle: This ensures that the water which enters the dishwasher is warm enough to make the cleaning process effective.
- Check Hoses and Valves Periodically: Leaks, kinks, and other forms of damage to the hoses should be checked out to avoid problems with water supply or drainage.
- Use Quality Detergents Only: Recommended compatible detergents improve cleaning performance while reducing buildup that will make life miserable for your dishwasher’s internals.
Conclusion
Those blinking lights on your Kenwood dishwasher can be quite daunting, but these are actually some pretty cool ways in which the appliance lets you know what’s wrong. You may be able to resolve it with the troubleshooting steps here and save yourself the hassle of scheduling a repair.
And remember, prevention is always better than cure. Proper care and periodic maintenance will help your dishwasher last longer.