When the Frigidaire dishwasher lights blink and no cycle starts, clear delay/lock, latch the door, then press Start/Cancel to reset.
Your control panel is flashing, the pump isn’t kicking in, and the sink is filling with dishes. The good news: blinking indicators usually point to simple things—controls locked, a delayed cycle still pending, a door that didn’t latch, or a brief power hiccup. Below you’ll find fast checks, what each common light pattern means, and safe fixes you can do at home before calling for service.
Blinking Panel With No Wash Cycle — Quick Checks
Start with these no-tools checks. Most take seconds and clear the lights right away.
- Confirm the door latch: Open and close the door firmly. Listen for a clean click and make sure nothing blocks the strike.
- Press Start/Cancel once: Many models need a fresh press after you close the door; some require you to shut the door within a few seconds of pressing the button.
- Look for a lock icon or “LOC” text: If controls are locked, the panel will ignore inputs until you unlock it (unlock steps below).
- Check Delay: If Delay is active, the unit will wait; cancel it to run now.
- Power bump reset: If lights began flashing after a power event, cancel/reset and restart the selected cycle.
- Water supply: Make sure the shutoff valve is open under the sink.
What The Blinks Mean At A Glance
Use this table to match what you see on the panel to a likely cause and a fast action.
| Panel Symptom | Likely Cause | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| “Hi-Temp” + “Heat Dry” lights flash together | Power outage alert | Press Start/Cancel to clear, reselect cycle, and close door to begin |
| Cycle/Option lights flash when pressing Start | Door not latched | Close door until it clicks; press Start again |
| “LOC” or lock icon lit; buttons unresponsive | Controls locked | Press and hold Delay Start ~3 sec to unlock |
| Time shows “01–24” or similar and won’t run | Delay feature set | Cancel Delay; press Start/Cancel to run now |
| Status lights blink, then unit drains | Keypad error or stuck key | Power off 5 minutes; if returns, schedule service |
| No code, Start LED blinks once per press | Door switch not proving closed | Re-seat racks, check latch alignment; service if persistent |
Step-By-Step Fixes That Clear Most Flashing Panels
1) Reset From A Power Blip
Press Start/Cancel to clear the alert. Select your cycle again and close the door to resume. If the panel still cycles the same flash pattern, turn the breaker off for five minutes, restore power, and try again.
2) Cancel Delay And Start Right Now
If the display shows a countdown hour or a Delay icon, the machine is waiting. Cancel it, then press Start and close the door. If you want to keep Delay for later on, you can re-enable it after this load.
3) Unlock The Controls
Press and hold Delay Start for about three seconds. The lock light turns off and the panel will accept commands again. If your model uses a different button combo, check the inner-door label or the quick guide.
4) Reseat The Door And Check The Latch
Make sure racks aren’t sticking out and hitting the door. Look at the strike on the tub frame; it should be straight and centered. Close the door with a firm push. If you need to push and lift at the same time to make it run, the latch or tub flange may be out of alignment and needs service.
5) Restore Water Supply
Turn the valve under the sink fully open. If you recently had plumbing work, the supply may be closed. Low fill can trigger odd behavior early in the cycle; opening the valve solves it.
Why The Panel Blinks Instead Of Starting
Modern controls pause and flash to protect the machine or to flag that a setting is blocking the start. A power alert pauses the cycle so you can confirm settings. A door switch that doesn’t prove “closed” stops the motor relay. A locked keypad ignores presses until unlocked. Delay tells the control to wait for the countdown to reach zero. Each one gives you a clear path back to a normal start.
Model-Specific Notes That Help
Many Frigidaire units share the same logic:
- After a power event, opening the door shows where the cycle left off; pressing Start resumes the wash.
- On many panels, holding Delay Start toggles the control lock.
- When you press Start, shut the door promptly or the selection times out and the panel flashes at you.
If you want a quick reference, the brand’s flashing lights guide explains typical patterns, and the delayed option article shows how to cancel a pending start.
Door Not Latching? Do These Checks
If the Start LED blinks when you press it and nothing else happens, the control likely isn’t seeing the door switch close.
- Rack position: Slide both racks all the way back. An extended rack can keep the door from sealing fully.
- Strike alignment: Look at the metal tab on the frame; if it sits high or bowed, the latch might miss. Minor misalignments sometimes show as an intermittent start—works when you press harder, fails later.
- Gasket seating: The door gasket should be smooth and fully seated around the tub channel. Press it in with your thumb where loose.
- Countertop pressure: If the countertop or mounting screw is forcing the top lip upward, the latch might not engage. Loosen the top brackets slightly, re-square the unit, and test.
Cancel Delay And Clear Locks (Exact Button Tips)
Cancel The Delay Timer
Press and hold Start/Cancel for a few seconds until the delay clears, then close the door to begin the cycle you chose.
Unlock The Panel
Hold Delay Start for three seconds. The lock light turns off and the buttons respond again. This prevents accidental presses during cleaning and is easy to toggle on or off.
Power Events And Resets
A brief outage can leave the control flashing. Clear it with one press of Start/Cancel. If the lights return immediately, perform a hard reset at the breaker for five minutes, restore power, then select your cycle and close the door. If the same pattern returns right away, a stuck key or control issue is possible.
When The Unit Drains But Won’t Wash
Some error states trigger a short drain for safety. If you hear the drain motor and see lights flashing but no wash, enter the sequence below:
- Press Start/Cancel once to stop the flashing.
- Wait for the drain to complete.
- Select your cycle again and close the door promptly.
- If it repeats, power down for five minutes. If the behavior returns after the reset, service is the next step.
Parts That Commonly Cause A No-Start With Blinking Lights
Most homes never need parts for this symptom, but if the basics don’t work, these components are next in line.
| Part/Area | What It Does | What You’ll Notice |
|---|---|---|
| Door latch & switch | Proves the door is closed so motors can run | Start LED blinks, cycle won’t engage unless you press hard on door |
| Keypad / touch panel | Sends button presses to the control board | Random flashes, stuck button, unit drains on its own, unresponsive keys |
| Main control | Runs motors, valves, heaters and monitors sensors | Repeating flash codes that return after reset; cycle won’t begin |
| Water inlet valve | Admits water at the start of the wash | Fills slowly or not at all; panel may time out or flash early |
| Float & float switch | Prevents overfill by signaling water level | Stuck “full” stops filling; lights may blink and pump won’t start |
Safe DIY Tests Before Calling For Service
Latch Test
With power off at the breaker, look at the strike and latch. If the strike sits off-center, gently adjust it with a small Phillips screwdriver and test again. Do not force the door; the latch should engage with a normal push.
Keypad Test
Power on. Press each button once and watch for consistent beeps or lights. If a button doesn’t respond or triggers the wrong light, a control panel may be failing.
Float Check
Slide the lower rack out. Lift the float dome and let it drop—it should move freely. If it sticks, clean debris around it.
Fill Start
Begin a Normal cycle and listen in the first minute. You should hear water enter the tub. If you hear only a faint hum and no water, the supply may be off or the valve is stuck.
Keep It From Coming Back
- Close, then press: On some models it’s press then close; on others, close then press. Pick one method and use it every time so the control doesn’t time out.
- Avoid leaning on the panel: That can set a Delay or lock without noticing.
- Stable power: If storms are common in your area, a surge protector for the dishwasher circuit can help protect electronics.
- Door care: Don’t lift racks by the door; that can tweak the alignment over time.
When To Book A Technician
Call for service if any of these match your situation:
- Lights keep flashing the same way after a full breaker reset.
- You must press on the door to make it start each time.
- Buttons trigger the wrong lights or won’t respond.
- The unit drains repeatedly without washing.
Quick Reference — Button Combos You’ll Use Often
- Cancel a power alert: Press Start/Cancel, reselect, close door.
- Unlock controls: Hold Delay Start ~3 seconds.
- Cancel Delay: Hold Start/Cancel for a few seconds, then close the door to begin washing.
- Resume after outage: Open door, check settings, press Start.
Bottom Line
Flashing indicators usually point to settings or safety checks, not a dead machine. Clear Delay or Lock, make sure the door proves shut, and use a short reset if a power blip started it. If the same pattern returns after these steps, you’re looking at a latch, keypad, or control issue that a technician can pinpoint quickly.