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Why Are Lights 4 and 5 Flashing on My Smeg Dishwasher? A Quick Troubleshooting Guide
If lights 4 and 5 are flashing on your Smeg dishwasher, then it’s pretty easy to feel frustrated and confused. After all, dishwashers are supposed to make life easier for us, not send us some cryptic signals in case something goes wrong. The good news? These flashing lights don’t have to ruin your day. They’re just your dishwasher’s way of telling you it needs a little attention, and with the right guidance, you can often resolve the issue yourself.
Here is a straightforward, practical look at what all those flashing lights mean and just what you might do to clear up the cause.
What Do Lights 4 and 5 on Smeg Dishwashers Indicate?
On most Smeg dishwashers, the flashing lights 4 and 5 mean a drainage problem. This means water is not draining from your machine properly, which is a common problem that can usually be fixed without calling a professional technician.
Dishwashers must drain continuously to complete the cycle. Whenever the cycle gets disrupted, it triggers the machine to turn off and request help, thus blinking lights start flashing. Blockages, kinked hoses, or internal issues with components like the pump could be common causes.

Actions That Can Help Find the Solution
Follow these steps to troubleshoot the drainage problem that may be blinking lights 4 and 5 on your Smeg dishwasher.
1. Turn Off the Dishwasher for Safety
Before trying to fix your dishwasher, remember to unplug it from the power supply to prevent the risk of electric shock. It would also be a good idea to turn off the water supply in case there is a serious blockage or leak.
2. Check the Sink Drain and Hose
Dishwashers are often connected to your sink drain, so start by ensuring there’s no clog in that area. Run water through your sink to check for slow drainage.

Next, examine the dishwasher’s drain hose for any visible kinks or bends that may be obstructing water flow. If the hose looks damaged or excessively clogged, it may need to be replaced.
3. Inspect the Dishwasher Filter
Open your dishwasher and pull out the bottom dish rack to get to the drain filter. The Smeg dishwasher has a filter at the bottom of the tub that catches food debris to avoid clogs.

- Remove the filter by twisting it counterclockwise.
- Rinse it well under warm water to remove grease, food particles, or other debris.
- Check the space under the filter for other blockages and clean it if need be.
4. Check Blockages in Drain Pump
Another integral component that is responsible for good water drainage is the drain pump. When this pump is blocked or faulty, lights 4 and 5 will begin to flash.
Clear any blockage around the drain pump-small items of food, shards of glass, plastic parts.
When it seems to be damage in the pump then that is just replacement; the pros could manage this task most appropriately.
5. Smeg Dishwasher Reset
Once you are done cleaning the filter, drain hose, and pump, it is time to reset your dishwasher. Reconnect the power, close the door, and hold down the reset/start button for a few seconds until the appliance responds; this may vary with models, so refer to your user manual for specific instructions. This will clear any error codes and allow the dishwasher to restart its cycle.
6. Test the Dishwasher
Run a short washing cycle and check if this resets the problem. If the dishwasher drains and the lights stop flashing, great job well done!
When to Call a Professional
If you’ve completed the above steps and lights 4 and 5 are still flashing, there may be a more complex issue, such as a malfunctioning pump or a damaged control board. At this point, it’s best to contact a certified Smeg technician. Attempting to repair internal components without the necessary expertise can lead to further damage.

How to Prevent Future Drainage Issues
- Clean the filter regularly. Try rinsing your filter once a week to stop food debris from building up in there.
- Scrape plates before loading. As much as your dishwasher might handle some scraps, too many scraps will clog the filter.
- Use the right detergent. Avoid much detergent, as this leaves residues which block the system.
- Check hoses periodically. For very active use, such as running the dishwasher daily, or every other day, check drain hose every few months for wear or damage.
Conclusion
These lights of your Smeg dishwasher, numbers 4 and 5, are very threatening at first sight, but actually, in most cases, they just show the problem of bad drainage, which is usually simple to handle. With a bit of troubleshooting and regular maintenance, your dishwasher will be back to delivering spotless results in no time.
Otherwise, if one feels confused, uncertain, or out of ideas, it’s recommended to look at Smeg’s customer support webpage or refer directly to authorized professional repair specialists in appliances.