Another day, another issue to discuss. Have you ever come across a situation where you want your Whirlpool dishwasher to work properly but it doesn’t due to some reason? There are many factors that might contribute to this issue but before that I need you to clear on one thing. The issue we are going to discuss today is Whirlpool dishwasher filling with water and then stopping. All the fixes will be relevant to this particular issue, make sure to stay with me till the end!
Whirlpool Dishwasher Fills with Water then Stops– Potential Reasons
Following are the potential reasons why Whirlpool dishwashers fill with water and then stop immediately.
- Faulty Detergent Drawer
- Defective Spray Arms
- Unresponsive Wash Motor
- Faulty Electronic Control Board
These are the most common issues that are the real culprit behind the above mentioned problem.
Whirlpool Dishwasher Models to Consider
Following are the models that you might consider while adopting the solutions because there is a 100% guarantee that these solutions will be effective on the below-mentioned models.

- 7DP840CWDB0
- 7DP840CWDB1
- 7DU840CWDB0
- 7DU840CWDB1
- 7DU900PCDB0
- 7DU900PCDQ0
- WDT780SAEM0
- WDT780SAEM1
- WDT780SAEM2
- WDT790SLYM2
- WDT790SLYW2
- WDT910SAYE1
- WDT910SAYE2
- WDT910SAYH1
- WDT910SAYH2
- WDT910SAYM1
- WDT910SAYM2
- WDT910SSYB1
- WDT910SSYB2
- WDT910SSYM2
- WDT910SSYW2
Troubleshooting Guide
After getting familiar with the problems now is the time to dive into the solutions. Perform the following steps in order to get rid of the problem.
- Checking the Detergent Drawer
Sometimes the main culprit behind the issue can be a faulty detergent drawer. It is a common issue that the drawer doesn’t open up correctly which causes your dishwasher to stop and not wash the dishes properly. If you want to look into this issue then you need to perform the following steps.
- Make sure the Whirlpool dishwasher is on the wash cycle.
- Wait for 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, pause the cycle.
- Check whether the detergent drawer has opened up by opening the dishwasher door.
- If the dishwasher has opened up successfully then you can move further. But if it hasn’t then it means the detergent has become faulty and you need to replace the spring in the drawer unit. If the issue is severe then you have to replace the whole unit.
- After doing the above mentioned steps, if the detergent drawer still doesn’t open up then you need to move on to the next step.
- Checking the Spray Arms
Spray arms or wash arms are another important component of the dishwasher. Their job is to circulate the water around the dishwasher during a wash cycle. There are some dishwashers having one spray arm while others have multiple spray arms. If these spray arms get damaged or clogged then the dishwasher might not be able to wash the dishes properly. To check the spray arms you need to follow the below steps.
- Open your dishwasher and remove the spray arms.
- Once the spray arms are removed, you need to check them for possible damages and cracks.
- In case they are damaged, they will be replaced.
- If the case is otherwise then you can simply clean them and remove any loose food debris blocking them.
- Once the spray arms have been cleaned, put them back into the dishwasher.
- Run a test cycle to confirm whether the problem still exists or not.
- Checking the Wash Motor
Last but not the least, wash motor. If the wash motor becomes faulty then your dishwasher will fill with water but it will not wash or will eventually stop. To check the wash motor, follow below-mentioned steps.
- Consider your manual and locate the wash motor.
- Make sure to turn the dishwasher to a cycle.
- A clicking sound coming from the motor should be listened carefully.
- If the sounds appear then it means the motor has become faulty and requires a quick replacement.
- But before making any kind of investment, it is important to check the wash motor using a multimeter.
- Turn off the dishwasher from the main supply.
- Find the motor and remove the lower access panel.
- After that, remove the wiring harness that is attached to the motor.
- Set your multimeter to Rx1 and place its probes on one terminal each.
- You need to check the ground connection as well.
- If the motor fails both these tests then it means the motor has gone faulty.
- You will have to replace the motor as soon as possible if you want your problem to be fixed immediately.
- Checking the Electronic Control Board
The last issue to deal with is a faulty control board. It is considered the brain of a dishwasher. If it gets faulty then you cannot expect the dishwasher to work anyways. Carry out a small test to make sure whether the problem is with the control board or not.
For the test, you will have to take a multimeter. Check the control board using a multimeter and see whether there is any continuity or not. If there is continuity then it means the control board is in the clear state. If not then it means the control board is faulty and requires a quick replacement. Contact a technician to make the required adjustments and replacements because it is a professional job.
The important thing to note here is that you need to check every component before jumping on to the replacement part. Chances are that sometimes a simple reset can fix your issue and save your money. So why invest in such costly acts?
Check More Dishwasher Fixations:
GE Dishwasher Fills with Water then Stops

Frequently Asked Questions
Q – Why does my dishwasher start to fill with water but then stop?
A – Ensure your dishwasher has power and is properly loaded if it stops in the middle of the cycle. To begin basic troubleshooting, clean the spray arm and filter. Make sure there is enough water pressure in your dishwasher as well.
Q – Why does my dishwasher fill with water but not start the cycle?
A – The most frequent causes of a dishwasher filling up but not starting the wash cycle are a jammed detergent door, a defective wash arm, or a broken drive motor. You have two options: either call in a professional to examine the issue or attempt to identify and fix it independently.
Q – How do I reset a Whirlpool dishwasher?
A – Follow the below-mentioned steps.
- Turn off the dishwasher by pressing the “Power” button.
- After that, unplug the dishwasher from the electricity source and let it run without a plug for five to ten minutes.
- Replug the dishwasher and turn it back on.
- To make sure the dishwasher is operating properly, run a quick cycle.
The End
All in all, dealing with a defective dishwasher is a very frustrating thing to do. You have to get rid of this issue as soon as possible. There is no doubt that the troubleshooting process can be time consuming but once you learn the right skills then it will be just a piece of cake for you. Moreover, if you learn the skills on your own then you wouldn’t have to invest in hiring a professional. You can save that money for other causes. Do a thorough checkup of all the components before taking any big step.