easiest fix - Whirlpool dishwasher fills/drains but doesn't run

Watched a lot of videos of folks doing a LOT of work to fix this issue. this is an easy fix to avoid a complete removal of components. Model not shown but if your drain layout looks the same I am sure you will be set. Attempted after resets, power off and on, button sequence failed to resolve. Yes I mistakenly put upper arm on lower at the end but caught myself. Runs like a champ again

[lazsantos]

After hours of searching, this was the fix i was searching for. Bought a 3 dollar mini plunger from home depot and it did the trick for my clogged whirlpool. Thank you for sharing!

[hawkcrazy]

This is the best video I’ve ever found!! Worked like a charm. For anyone wondering pay close attention to how he plunged with force in the up direction!! Thank you sir

[jstevenson]

I appreciate this! Saved Thanksgiving because no way was I cooking without my dishwasher 😄

[jt]

**UPDATE** Sadly it started doing the just filling and draining after running a load after dinner. Looks like it's either the Circulation pump motor or the inlet valve on my Whirlpool.
I just changed my heating element litterally yesterday then this happened! I found this video and tried it not only did I plunge the crap out of the dishwasher I also plunged my disposal side and it Thank you so much for this

[RoaDOG]

You are my HERO! Solve my issue if the washer filling but not running, and then when I hit cancel it would empty. Thank you for your wisdom! My DW is a Whirlpool WDF530PAYW3.

[nataliehoyt]

Did not, for a second, think this would fix my dishwasher! It was filling and draining, so why would plunging fix it?! Low and behold the plunging worked! So easy! So quick! Much love to you for providing us this simple fix!

[MrWFD]

Amazing! I've tried everything, even the normal toilet plunger. I gave up and said to the wife I'm going to HD and buy a small plunger. She said go ahead and waist your money. Just go get me a new Dishwasher. Gothe small plunger came home and gave it six good up plunges. No new diswasher ! The wife was more amazed than I was!! Thanks!!! saved me $560. Love YouTube!!!

[nanettewarn]

It worked! Thank you. I did not have a mini plunger so I used the one I had that had a kind of a collar on the bottom. It was awkward, but it did the job. At first it worked but then the circulator stopped again. A bit more plunging and it’s been back in business for two cycles. I have very hard well water so I added lots of vinegar to the water. I will buy and keep a mini plunger for future use.

[laniehyland]

Thank you so much! It worked! After three tries, it was finally dislodged and it’s now spraying like it used to. Without cutting off the electricity or taking apart the dishwasher!

[bubo]

I dont have that tool at home so I used empty bottle instead of plunger🤣 i can't believe but it worked. Thank you very much ❤

[kevinburrowes]

You are truly a GOD! I was confused about this all day. Thought it was the latch like other videos said. Was about to say F it and buy a new one but found this video last minute. Start the dishwasher, when it stops does nothing, open it up - it should be filled with water on the bottom. Take off spray arm and take out filter, grab short plunger and go to town. 3 or 4 times should do the trick. Put spray and filter back on and resume. Good to go!

[rulebraking]

Was about to spend $250 to replace the circulation pump when I came across your video - and for $3- (plunger) it solved the issue - i'll make it a 6 month routine - many thx buddy

[jessicap]

I tried this and one other thing before powering up my dishwasher, and at least one of them fixed it (cleaned the compellor motor-had a hair wound in it). Just so grateful to have a working dishwasher again and grateful to save several hundred dollars on replacement. Thank you.

[nickvankleeck]

Watched the video, shook my head, thought this can't possibly work, then (gratuitous Big Lebowkski reference here)... "you can probably guess what happens next."... "he fixes the dishwasher?" Heck yeah! Thank you Mr. Dineen, may you live long and prosper, . A Mr Clean plunger (wide on top, but with a narrow neck below) did the trick on my identical-looking Whirlppol.

[bigmark]

Wow, yep work the same way. I had water in that area after repeated draining. So I poured a pot of water in there to fill it up more. Than took the filter out and started plunging like you did. I plunged 3 times just to be sure, really hard. I put the filter back in and the spray arm and closed the machine. The washer started, it work perfectly again. The washer spraying water like normal. Wow a simple fix from a house plunger. The great things you find on YouTube. Wow thanks much for this one. Really thank you.. 12/11/2022

[brian_onthetrail]

Ditto the previous comment. Not for one second did I think it would work either, but I figured I'd try it before spending my Sunday night pulling out my dishwasher. My plunger was different from his and the my dishwasher drain hole is not round like in the video So, in order to get better plunging power I filled up the bottom of my dishwasher with water and then went to town plunging. Then closed the door and turned it on and low and behold the wash cycle worked!!! My wife thinks I amazing. I might add this to my yearly maintenance tasks.

[jasonstarr]

watched several other videos, pulled the d/w, removed pump... it was clean... watched this one, repeated your process.... worked like a charm.. in fact, spraying better than it had been when new!! Got this d/w as scratch/dent from big box for $300 (retail $600.00), so wasn't happy with the idea of having to spend $125 for a new pump... thanks for your hint!!!! new sub...

[bobsmith]

Thanks a lot for pointing me in the right direction. Have a 13 year old KitchenAid, KUDE70. Turned the unit over and removed the modular motor/impeller from the housing. Was all gunked up. Seems to have overheated since it was "stuck" and deformed the plastic coated rotor. Put it back together after cleaning and it runs like a charm. Saved big $$ as the motor assy is no longer available alone. Looking for a vintage model to scavenge the motor off off.

[noahcooper]

A lifesaver! We were worried that we would have to call someone out, but it worked! We even used a larger plunger. As long as you get a seal, it still should work!

[kathleenno]

Thank you so much. I have a whirlpool and this is exactly what was wrong. Such an easy fix for piece of mind. Thank-you thank-you thank-you.