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How To Fix Frigidaire Dishwasher Stuck On Wash/Clean Cycle

Frigidaire is one of the leading brands of kitchen appliances, with millions of homes owning one or more Frigidaire appliances. Even with a long history of high quality products, Frigidaire dishwashers can still experience problems from time to time. For example, some Frigidaire dishwashers may become stuck on the wash/clean cycle, leaving your dishes in a sort of clean or not clean limbo. Thankfully, there are ways that you can fix the problem. 

How to fix Frigidaire dishwasher stuck on wash/clean cycle really depends on what is causing the problem. For example, if the issue is with a malfunctioning thermostat, the thermostat will need to be replaced to fix the problem.

Man fixing the dishwasher

Once you can determine what is causing the issue, you will be able to more effectively fix the dishwasher. Remember, however, that just because a dishwasher is taking more time to complete a cycle doesn’t necessarily mean it is stuck on said cycle. Some dishwashers take longer to go through the cycle than others. In fact, the amount of time the wash cycle can take ranges anywhere from 1 1/2 hours to 4 hours. That is a big gap in time! 

The best thing to do is to refer to your Frigidaire dishwasher’s owners manual for more information as to how long the wash/clean cycle for your model will last. The owner’s manual will also have other useful information, such as troubleshooting potential problems, as well as contact information for Frigidaire customer support. It will also list what to do in case the appliance has an issue.

Additionally, if your dishwasher is still under warranty, however, you should refrain from fixing anything until you have spoken to the Frigidaire customer support team. They will be able to tell you whether or not your warranty covers the problem, which could potentially mean the appliance can be fixed without you paying for it. Additionally, they can discuss with you whether or not trying to fix it yourself will void the warranty. 

Unless you are familiar and comfortable with appliance repair, you may want to seek the help of a trusted repair technician to fix your dishwasher. Dishwashers are filled with various parts, many of which are not readily known to the public. A repair technician, however, has the knowledge, experience, and training to quickly determine the cause of the problem and effectively fix it. 

If you’re unsure as to whether to find a repair technician that can work on Frigidaire dishwashers, consider reaching out to the official Frigidaire customer support line for assistance. They can give you a list of all the licensed repair technicians in your area that can work on their appliances. 

Reasons Why Frigidaire Dishwasher Stuck On Wash/Clean Cycle

Man fixing the dishwasher

Before you can fix a Frigidaire dishwasher stuck on the wash/clean cycle, you will first need to know what is causing the problem in the first place. After all, just because a problem can be caused by more than one source doesn’t mean they will all have the same steps to fix the issue. Once you have determined the cause, you can take the necessary steps to fix the issue and get your dishwasher working properly once again. 

There are several reasons as to why the dishwasher is stuck on wash/clean cycle. These most common ones being the water heating cycle is not working properly, the thermostat is malfunctioning, the float switch stopped working, or the timer isn’t operating correctly.

Water Heating Cycle Not Working

Man fixing the dishwasher

The most common cause of a dishwasher being stuck on wash/clean is the water heating cycle. When your dishwasher begins to fill with water, the appliance will heat to the correct temperature, which will also trigger the machine to progress to the next cleaning cycle. If, however, the water doesn’t get to the predetermined temperature, the dishwasher will stay stuck in the wash/clean cycle.

To confirm whether or not this is the cause of the problem, check to ensure the water is being heated to about 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature is below this, you know there is a problem with the water heater.

Thermostat Not Working

Man fixing the dishwasher

The thermostat not working properly is another cause of a Frigidaire dishwasher staying on the wash/clean cycle. Dishwasher thermostats are responsible for regulating the appliance’s temperature throughout its cycles. If the water isn’t hot enough or is too hot, the thermostat will prevent the appliance from switching over to the next cycle.

Float Switches Not Working

Man fixing the dishwasher

Float switches are another potential cause of the dishwasher being stuck in the wash/clean. This part of the appliance is what identifies the water level inside the dishwasher, and when the water reaches a certain level, the dishwasher will move on to the next step in the cycle. When the float switch stops working, however, it cannot cycle to the dishwasher so that it’s time for a new cycle, which means the appliance becomes stuck.

Timer Not Working

Man fixing the dishwasher

Another potential culprit for a Frigidaire dishwasher getting stuck on the wash/clean cycle is the timer. The entire purpose of the timer is to let the appliance know how long the machine should stay in a cycle before ending that one and starting the next one. If the timer malfunctions, it could potentially cause the dishwasher to stay in a certain cycle for an extended period of time.

While there are other reasons as to why your Frigidaire dishwasher is stuck in the wash/clean cycle, the causes listed above are the most common culprits. If you have checked all four of the parts and have found that they are not the ones causing the issues, you may have a bad motor on your hands. 

Faulty Motor

Man fixing the dishwasher

Faulty motors typically require replacing the entire dishwasher. The part is not cheap, and replacing one is best left in the hands of an expert. In many cases, it is much less expensive to simply replace the entire dishwasher than to try to get the motor fixed. However, you will need to weigh the pros and cons of fixing the appliance vs buying a new one and then decide what is best for your needs.

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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on December 8, 2022.

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