Whirlpool WDF520PADM Owner's Manual

DISHWASHER

USER INSTRUCTIONS

THANK YOU for purchasing this high-quality product. If you should experience a problem not covered in TROUBLESHOOTING,

please visit our website at www.whirlpool.com for additional information. If you still need assistance, call us at 1-800-253-1301. In Canada, visit our website at www.whirlpool.ca or call us at 1-800-807-6777.

You will need your model and serial number located near the door on the right-hand or left-hand side of the dishwasher interior.

Table of Contents

DISHWASHER SAFETY ........................................1

WHAT'S NEW IN YOUR DISHWASHER ............... 3

ENERGY ................................................................3

PERFORMANCE ...................................................3

PARTS AND FEATURES .......................................4

QUICK STEPS .......................................................5

DISHWASHER USE ............................................... 6

CYCLE AND OPTION DESCRIPTIONS................8

DISHWASHER FEATURES .................................10

FILTRATION SYSTEM ......................................... 12

DISHWASHER CARE .......................................... 13

TROUBLESHOOTING ......................................... 14

WARRANTY ......................................................... 17

Dishwasher Safety

Your safety and the safety of others are very important.

We have provided many important safety messages in this manual and on your appliance. Always read and obey all safety messages.

This is the safety alert symbol. This symbol alerts you to potential hazards that can kill or hurt you and others. All safety messages will follow the safety alert symbol and either the word “DANGER” or “WARNING.”

These words mean:

You can be killed or seriously injured if you don't immediately

DANGER

WARNING

All safety messages will tell you what the potential hazard is, tell you how to reduce the chance of injury, and tell you what can happen if the instructions are not followed.

follow instructions.

You

can be killed or seriously injured if you don't

instructions.

W10717214A

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

WARNING: When using the dishwasher, follow basic precautions, including the following:

■ Read all instructions before using the dishwasher.

■ Use the dishwasher only for its intended function.

■ Use only detergents or rinse agents recommended for

use in a dishwasher, and keep them out of the reach of children.

■ When loading items to be washed:

1) Locate sharp items so that they are not likely to damage the door seal; and

2) Load sharp knives with the handles up to reduce the risk of cut-type injuries.

■ Do not wash plastic items unless they are marked

“dishwasher safe” or the equivalent. For plastic items not so marked, check the manufacturer's recommendations.

■ Do not touch the heating element during or

immediately after use.

■ Do not operate the dishwasher unless all enclosure

panels are properly in place.

■ Do not tamper with controls.

■ Do not abuse, sit on, or stand on the door, lid, or dish

racks of the dishwasher.

■ To reduce the risk of injury, do not allow children to

play in or on the dishwasher.

■ Under certain conditions, hydrogen gas may be

produced in a hot water system that has not been used for two weeks or more. HYDROGEN GAS IS EXPLOSIVE. If the hot water system has not been used for such a period, before using the dishwasher turn on all hot water faucets and let the water flow from each for several minutes. This will release any accumulated hydrogen gas. As the gas is flammable, do not smoke or use an open flame during this time.

■ Remove the door or lid to the washing compartment

when removing an old dishwasher from service or discarding it.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

GROUNDING INSTRUCTIONS

■

For a grounded, cord-connected dishwasher:

The dishwasher must be grounded. In the event of a malfunction or breakdown, grounding will reduce the risk of electric shock by providing a path of least resistance for electric current. The dishwasher is equipped with a cord having an equipment-grounding conductor and a grounding plug. The plug must be plugged into an appropriate outlet that is installed and grounded in accordance with all local codes and ordinances.

WARNING:

grounding conductor can result in a risk of electric shock.

Improper connection of the equipment-

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Do not use dishwasher until completely installed.

Do not push down on open door.

Doing so can result in serious injury or cuts.

Check with a qualified electrician or service representative if you are in doubt whether the dishwasher is properly grounded. Do not modify the plug provided with the dishwasher; if it will not fit the outlet, have a proper outlet installed by a qualified electrician.

■

For a permanently connected dishwasher:

The dishwasher must be connected to a grounded metal, permanent wiring system, or an equipment-grounding conductor must be run with the circuit conductors and connected to the equipment-grounding terminal or lead on the dishwasher.

WARNING

Tip Over Hazard

State of California Proposition 65 Warnings: WARNING: This product contains one or more chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer. WARNING: This product contains one or more chemicals known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other

reproductive harm.

What’s New in Your Dishwasher

Energy

Congratulations on purchasing your water- and energy-efcient dishwasher! This dishwasher cleans by spraying the dishes with water and pauses to allow the detergent to soak into and release the soils on the dishes. The cycles are longer due to the soaks and pauses for exceptional cleaning. Several models contain an optical water sensor. The optical water sensor is used to determine the optimum water and energy consumption for great cleaning performance. Efcient dishwashers run longer to save water and energy, just as driving a car slower saves on gas. The rst cycle using the sensor will run longer to calibrate the optical sensor.

Performance

Rinse Aid

Using rinse aid will optimize your drying and washing performance. This dishwasher is specically designed to be used with rinse aid for improved drying performance and controlling buildup of hard water deposits. Energy-efcient dishwashers use less water and energy, so they depend on the water “sheeting” action of rinse aid for total optimal performance.

Detergent

The United States and Canada have passed a restriction limiting the amount of phosphorus (phosphates) in household dishwasher detergents to no more than 0.5%, where previous detergents contained 8.7%. Major manufacturers have reformulated their dishwasher detergent for this change in detergents as another step in ecological awareness. With these recent changes it is recommended to use tablets and packs for convenience and improved performance.

Filtration System

Your dishwasher has the latest technology in dishwasher ltration. This triple ltration system minimizes sound and optimizes water and energy conservation while providing optimal cleaning performance. Regular maintenance of your lters will sustain peak cleaning performance. We suggest you clean both your upper and lower lter and rinse under running water at least once a month.

Parts and Features

Quick Steps

Prepare and load

dishwasher.

Spin the spray arms. They should turn freely.

Add detergent

and rinse aid.

Start dishwasher.

For models with controls on top of the door, select wash cycle, options, and press START/RESUME before closing the door. Push door rmly closed. The door latches automatically. Select the wash cycle, options, and press START/RESUME or press START/RESUME to repeat the same cycle and options as in the previous wash cycle.

Unload and clean the

lter.

See “Recommended Time Interval to Clean Your Filter,” in the “Filtration System” section for the recommended cleaning schedule.

Select a cycle and option (cycles and options vary

by model).

Dishwasher Use

Full

Lock

STEP 1 STEP 2

Prepare and Load the Dishwasher

IMPORTANT: Remove leftover food, bones, toothpicks, and

other hard items from the dishes. Remove labels from containers before washing.

Upper rack Lower rack

■ Make sure nothing keeps spray arm(s) from

spinning freely. It is important for the water spray to reach all soiled surfaces.

■ Make sure that when the dishwasher door is closed no items

are blocking the detergent dispenser.

■ Items should be loaded with soiled surfaces facing down and

inward to the spray as shown in the graphics above. This will improve cleaning and drying results.

■ Avoid overlapping items like bowls or plates that may trap

food.

■ Place plastics, small plates, and glasses in the upper rack.

■ Wash only items marked “dishwasher safe.”

■ To avoid thumping/clattering noises during operation:

Load dishes so they do not touch one another. Make sure lightweight load items are secured in the racks.

Add Detergent

NOTE: If you do not plan to run a wash cycle soon, run a rinse

cycle. Do not use detergent.

■ Use automatic dishwasher detergent only. Add powder, liquid,

or tablet detergent just before starting a cycle.

■ Fresh automatic

dishwasher detergent results in better cleaning. Store tightly closed detergent container in a cool, dry

place.

■ For optimum

performance, tablet detergent is recommended.

■ The amount of

detergent to use depends on:

How much soil remains on the items - heavily soiled loads require more detergent.

The hardness of the water - if you use too little in hard water, dishes won't be clean. If you use too much in soft water, glassware will etch.

Soft to Medium Water (0-6 grains per U.S. gallon) [typical water softener water and some city water]

Medium to Hard Water (7-12 grains per U.S. gallon) [well water and some city water]

■ Depending on your water hardness, ll the Main Wash section

of the dispenser as shown. Fill the Pre-Wash section to the level shown, for heavily soiled items.

NOTE: Fill amounts shown are for standard powdered detergent. Follow instructions on the package when using other dishwasher detergent.

PRE-

MAIN WASH

A. Cover latch B. Main wash section C. Pre-wash section

WASH

■ When loading silverware, always place sharp

items pointing down and avoid “nesting” as shown. If your silverware does not t into the designated slots, ip the covers up and mix silverware types to keep them separated.

■ Use suggested loading patterns, as shown, to better clean

your silverware.

PUSH

■ Use the slots in the covers to keep your silverware separated

for optimum wash.

Hard Water Soft Water

Main Wash Pre-Wash

Add Rinse Aid

■ Your dishwasher is designed to use rinse aid for good drying

performance. Without rinse aid your dishes and dishwasher interior will have excessive moisture. The heat dry option will not perform as well without rinse aid.

■ Rinse aid keeps water from forming droplets that

can dry as spots or streaks. It also improves drying by allowing water to drain off of the dishes after the nal rinse.

■ Check the rinse aid indicator. Add rinse aid when

indicator drops to “Add” level.

■ To add rinse aid, turn the dispenser cap

¼ turn counterclockwise and lift off. Pour rinse aid into the opening until the indicator level is at “Full.” Replace the dispenser cap and turn to “Lock.” Make sure cap is fully locked.

fill

max

Add

NOTE: For most water conditions, the factory setting will give good results.

■ Check water hardness level to ensure no rings or spots on

your dishware before adding rinse aid or adjusting the factory setting.

■ If you have hard water or notice rings or spots, try a higher

setting.

Turn the arrow adjuster inside the dispenser by either using your ngers or inserting a at-blade screwdriver into the center of the arrow and turning.

fill

max

STEP 3

Select a Cycle (cycles vary by model)

See Cycle and Option Selections charts in the following section. Heavier cycles and options affect cycle length.

STEP 4

Start or Resume a Cycle

■ Run hot water at the sink nearest your dishwasher until the

water is hot. Turn off water. For best dishwashing results, water should be 120ºF (49ºC) as it enters the dishwasher.

■ For models with controls on top of the door, select wash

cycle, options, and press START/RESUME before closing the door. Push door rmly closed. The door latches automatically. Select the wash cycle, options, and press START/RESUME or press START/RESUME to repeat the same cycle and options as in the previous wash cycle.

■ You can add an item anytime at the beginning of the cycle.

Open the door slowly and add the item. Close the door rmly. Press START/RESUME.

Select Options (options vary by model)

See Cycle and Option Selections charts in the following section. You can customize your cycles by pressing the options desired.

Cycle and Option Descriptions

This information covers several different models. Your dishwasher may not have all of the cycles and options described. Estimated cycle times may increase or decrease depending on water temperature, soil conditions, dish load size, and options selected. You can customize your cycle by selecting an option.

See option selections. If you change your mind, press the option again to turn off the option, or select a different option. You can change an option anytime before the selected option begins. At each stage of the wash cycle, you may hear noises that you are not used to hearing in your previous dishwasher. Each cycle will provide a series of pauses and water sprays throughout the wash cycle. This is normal and will provide optimal cleaning performance.

CYCLE SELECTIONS

CYCLES ESTIMATED

The most advanced and versatile cycle. This cycle senses load size, soil amount, and toughness of soil, to adjust the cycle for optimal cleaning using only the amount of water and energy needed. Use for all soil levels.

WASH TIME

(HH:MM)

2:30 3.38 to 7.4

WATER USAGE

GALLONS

(LITERS)

(12.8 to 28.0)

Use for hard-to-clean, heavily soiled pots, pans, casseroles, and tableware. 3:28 7.4

This cycle, with only the Heat Dry option selected, and without other options selected, is recommended to completely wash and dry a full load of normally soiled dishes. The energy usage label is based on this cycle and option combination.

For fast results, 1-Hour Wash will clean dishes using slightly more water and energy. Select the Heat Dry option to provide best drying performance.

This cycle quietly soaks dishes with an extended prewash which eliminates the need to presoak dishes, saving personal time and effort. For optimal cleaning results during the Soak & Clean cycle, add prewash detergent. Use this cycle for loads with heavy amounts of dried-on or hard-to-clean baked-on food.

IMPORTANT: The sensor in your dishwasher monitors the soil level. Cycle time and/or water usage can vary as the sensor adjusts the cycle for the best wash performance. If the incoming water is less than the recommended temperature or food soils are heavy, the cycle will automatically compensate by adding time, heat and water as needed.

2:32 2.4 to 7.4

1:00 7.87 (29.8)

7:31 7.4 (28.0)

(28.0)

(9.09 to 28.0)

OPTION SELECTIONS

OPTIONS CAN BE

Raises main wash temperature to improve cleaning for loads containing tough, baked-on food.

SELECTED

WITH

Sensor

Heavy

Normal

Soak & Clean

WHAT IT DOES ADDED TIME

TO CYCLE

Raises the main

wash temperature

to 135°F (57°C).

0:05 to 0:13 0 to 3.86

ADDED WATER

GALLONS

(LITERS)

(0 to 14.6)

Sanitizes dishes and glassware in accordance with NSF International NSF/ANSI Standard 184 for Residential Dishwashers. Certied residential dishwashers are not intended for licensed food establishments. The Sanitized indicator at the end of the cycle shows whether the Sani Rinse option was successfully completed. If the indicator does not activate, it is probably due to cycle being interrupted.

Sensor

Heavy

Normal

Raises the main

wash temperature

to 135°F (57°C)

and the nal rinse

temperature to

156°F (69°C).

0:05 to 1:06 0 to 3.86

(0 to 14.6)

OPTION SELECTIONS (cont.)

OPTIONS CAN BE

SELECTED

WITH

Dries dishes with heat. This option, with the use of rinse aid, will provide the best drying performance. Plastic items are less likely to deform when loaded in the top rack. Use Heat Dry for optimum dry performance. Turn the Heat Dry option off for air dry.

Runs dishwasher at a later time. Select a wash cycle and options. Each time you press the delay button, it will display the next available delay time. Press 4-Hr Delay. Press START/RESUME. Close door rmly.

NOTES:

■ The dishwasher remembers the last Delay you

selected. To reset the delay time to something other than what is displayed, continue to press the Delay button until the desired delay time is reached.

■ Anytime the door is opened (such as, to add a

dish); START/RESUME must be pressed again to resume delay countdown.

To turn on lock, press and hold “4-Hr Delay” button for 3 seconds. Control Lock light will stay on for a short time, indicating that it is activated, and all buttons are disabled. If you press any button while your dishwasher is locked, light ashes 3 times. Dishwasher door can still be opened/closed while the controls are locked.

To turn off Lock, press and hold “4-Hr Delay” button for 3 seconds. Light turns off.

Sensor

Heavy

Normal

Soak & Clean

Available with

any cycle

WHAT IT DOES ADDED TIME

TO CYCLE

Uses heating

element to speed

drying times.

Heat Dry option

defaults to On

when any cycle is

selected except for

1-Hour Wash. Delay 4 hours 0 0

0:08 to 0:46 0

ADDED WATER

GALLONS

(LITERS)

CONTROLS AND CYCLE STATUS

CONTROL PURPOSE COMMENTS

Press to start or resume a wash cycle.

If the door is opened during a cycle or the power is interrupted, the Start/Resume button LED ashes. Cycle will not resume until door is closed and Start/Resume is pressed.

Press to cancel wash cycle.

Close the door rmly. The dishwasher starts a 2-minute drain (if needed). Let dishwasher drain completely. Press Cancel again to fully cancel machine.

The Clean indicator glows when a cycle is nished.

Dishwasher Features

Your Whirlpool dishwasher may have some or all of these features.

ANYWARE™ PLUS silverware basket

The ANYWARE™ PLUS silverware basket can be hung on the door, the bottom rack, or placed inside the bottom rack.

Door position Rack position Rack position side

To open the ANYWARE™ PLUS silverware basket

To unlock, grasp the front panel, pull up, and rotate 90° as shown. Make sure the front panel is up all the way before rotating. To unlock and rotate the front panel, grasp the front panel as shown and pull it up and out.

PUSH

NOTE: Be sure the front panel of the silverware basket is completely locked into place before pulling out the bottom rack and before closing the dishwasher door.

To remove the basket from the door

1. Grasp the silverware basket by the handle. Slide it toward

the top of the door.

2. Lift the basket off the holding buttons. To replace the basket in the door

1. Set the silverware basket on the holding buttons.

2. Slide the basket toward the bottom of the door until

it locks into place.

Fold-down Tines

The row of tines on the left-hand and right-hand sides of the upper rack or in the back of lower rack can be adjusted to make room for a variety of dishes.

To adjust the fold-down tines

1. Grasp the tip of the tine that is

in the tine holder.

2. Gently push the tine out of the

holder.

3. Lay the tines down, toward the center of the rack.

Light Item Clips

The light item clips hold lightweight plastic items such as cups, lids, or bowls in place during washing.

To move a clip

1. Pull the clip up and off the tine.

2. Reposition the clip on another tine.

EZ Adjust Tines

Sliding lower-rack tines that move left or right to t your dishes. You can use this feature to t larger items like cereal bowls and others.

Silverware Spray (on some models)

Cup shelves

Fold down the extra shelf on the left-hand or right-hand side of the top rack to hold additional cups, stemware, or long items such as utensils and spatulas.

Silverware Spray helps remove stuck-on food. It delivers a concentrated shower of water to the in-door silverware basket to eliminate rewashing.

EZ-2-Lift™ Top Rack Adjuster (on some models)

You can raise or lower the top rack to t tall items in either the top or bottom rack. Adjusters are located on each side of the top rack.

To raise or lower the rack with adjuster 1

Hold the top rack with one hand near the adjuster and use the other hand to pull out the top of the adjuster. Raise or lower the rack to one of the preset positions.

To raise the rack with adjuster 2

Lift and pull up.

To lower the rack

Lift up and let down. NOTE: The top rack

must be level.

Removable Top Rack

The removable top rack allows you to wash larger items such as pots, roasters, and cookie sheets in the bottom rack.

IMPORTANT: Remove dishes prior to removing the top rack from dishwasher.

To remove the rack

1. To gain access to the

track stops, pull the upper rack forward about halfway out of the tub.

2. To open, ip the

track stop toward the outside of the tub.

3. After opening both

track stops, pull top rack out of the rails.

4. Close track stops

and slide the tracks back into the dishwasher.

To replace the rack

1. Gently pull tracks forward in dishwasher until they stop.

Open track stops.

2. Place the back wheels on each side of the rack into the track

slot and roll them back into the tracks, but do not push the rack all the way into the tub.

3. Insert front rack wheels on each side of the rack into the

track slots.

4. Slide rack into the dishwasher. The stops will automatically

close when rack enters dishwasher.

Filtration System

Your dishwasher has the latest technology in dishwasher ltration. This triple ltration system minimizes sound and optimizes water and energy conservation while providing superior cleaning performance. Throughout the life of your dishwasher, the lter will require maintenance to sustain peak cleaning performance.

The triple lter system consists of 2 parts, an upper lter assembly and a lower lter.

■ The upper lter assembly keeps oversized items and foreign

objects, along with very ne food particles, out of the pump.

■ The lower lter keeps food from being recirculated onto your

dishware.

The lters may need to be cleaned when:

■ Visible objects or soils are on the Upper Filter Assembly.

■ There is degradation in cleaning performance (that is, soils

still present on dishes).

■ Dishes feel gritty to the touch.

It is very easy to remove and maintain the lters. The chart below shows the recommended cleaning frequency.

RECOMMENDED TIME INTERVAL TO CLEAN YOUR FILTER

Number of loads per week

8-12 Every two months Every four months Once per year

If you only scrape before loading*

If you scrape and rinse before loading

If you wash before loading

4-7 Every four months Once per year Once per year

1-3 Twice per year Once per year Once per year

*Manufacturer's recommendation: This practice will conserve the water and energy that you would have used to prepare your dishes.

will also save you time and effort.

This

Very hard water

If you have hard water (above 15 grains), clean your lter at least once per month. Buildup of white residue on your dishwasher indicates hard water. For tips on removing spots and stains, see “Troubleshooting” section.

Filter Removal Instructions

Cleaning instructions

IMPORTANT: Do not use wire brush, scouring pad, etc. as they

may damage the lters. Rinse lter under running water until most soils are removed.

If you have hard-to-remove soils or calcium deposits from hard water, a soft brush may be required.

1. Turn the Upper Filter

Assembly ¼ turn counterclockwise and lift out.

2. Separate the Upper Filter

Assembly by gently pulling apart.

3. Clean the lters as shown.

To remove Upper Filter Assembly

O W

Filter Reinstallation Instructions

1. Noting the previous

illustrations, place the Lower Filter under the Locating Tabs in the bottom of the dishwasher so the round opening for the Upper Filter Assembly lines up with the round opening in the bottom of the tub.

2. Insert the Upper Filter

Assembly into the circular opening in the Lower Filter.

To replace Upper Filter Assembly

Dishwasher Care

CLEANING THE DISHWASHER

3. Slowly rotate the lter clockwise until it drops into place.

Continue to rotate until the lter is locked into place. If the lter is not fully seated (still turns freely), continue to turn the lter clockwise until it drops and locks into place.

NOTE: The Upper Filter Assembly arrow does not have to align with the arrow in the Lower Filter as long as the lter is locked.

IMPORTANT: To avoid damage to dishwasher, do not operate your dishwasher without the lters properly installed. Be sure the Lower Filter is securely in place and the Upper Filter Assembly is locked into place. If the Upper Filter Assembly turns freely, it is not locked into place.

Cleaning the exterior

Clean the exterior of the dishwasher with a soft, damp cloth and mild detergent. If your dishwasher has a stainless steel exterior, a stainless steel cleaner is recommended - Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish Part Number 31464.

Cleaning the interior

Clean the interior of the dishwasher, with a paste of powdered dishwasher detergent and water or use liquid dishwasher detergent on a damp sponge to clean the cooled-down interior.

A white vinegar rinse may remove white spots and lm. Vinegar is an acid, and using it too often could damage your dishwasher.

Put 2 cups (500 mL) white vinegar in a glass or dishwasher-safe measuring cup on the bottom rack. Run the dishwasher through a complete washing cycle using an air-dry or an energy-saving dry option. Do not use detergent. Vinegar will mix with the wash water.

Dishwasher maintenance procedure

Removal of Hard Water/Filming

Recommended use of a monthly maintenance product such as

affresh

NOTE: It is recommended to use a premeasured detergent tablet or pack for regular daily use.

Dishwasher Cleaner Part Number W10282479.

■ Load your dishwasher (preferably with dishes affected by

lming/hard water).

■ Place tablet in main wash compartment of detergent

dispenser.

■ Select cycle/option best for heavily soiled dishes and start

dishwasher.

Drain air gap

If you have a drain air gap, check and clean it if the dishwasher isn't draining well.

Drain air gap

■ When you will not be using the dishwasher during the

summer months, turn off the water and power supply to the dishwasher.

■ Make sure the water supply lines are protected against

freezing conditions. Ice formations in the supply lines can increase water pressure and cause damage to your dishwasher or home. Damage from freezing is not covered by the warranty.

■ When storing your dishwasher in the winter, avoid water

damage by having your dishwasher winterized by authorized service personnel.

Troubleshooting

First try the solutions suggested here. If you need further assistance or more recommendations that may help you avoid a service call, refer to the warranty page in this manual and scan the code with your mobile device, or visit www.whirlpool.com/product_help. In Canada, visit www.whirlpool.ca.

Whirlpool Brand Home Appliances Customer eXperience Center 553 Benson Road Benton Harbor, MI 49022-2692

Please include a daytime phone number in your correspondence.

In Canada:

Whirlpool Brand Home Appliances Customer eXperience Centre 200 – 6750 Century Ave. Mississauga, Ontario L5N 0B7

Dishwasher maintenance procedure

■ Dishwasher does not run or stops during a cycle

It is normal for certain cycles to repeatedly pause for several seconds during the main wash.

Is the door closed tightly and latched? Is the right cycle selected? Is there power to the dishwasher? Has a household fuse

blown, or has a circuit breaker tripped? Replace the fuse or reset the circuit breaker. If the problem continues, call an electrician.

Has the motor stopped due to an overload? The motor automatically resets itself within a few minutes. If it does not restart, call for service.

Is the water shutoff valve (if installed) turned on?

■ The Clean light is flashing

Check the following:

■ Is the overll protection oat able to move up and down freely? Press down to release.

■ Be sure the water supply to the dishwasher is turned on to the dishwasher. (This is very important following the new installation of your dishwasher.)

■ Check for suds in the dishwasher. If foam or suds are detected by the dishwasher sensing system, the dishwasher may not operate properly or may not ll with water.

Suds can come from:

1. Using the incorrect type of detergent, such as

laundry detergent, hand soap, or dish detergent for hand washing dishes.

2. Forgetting to replace the rinse aid dispenser cap

after lling (or relling) the rinse aid.

3. Using an excessive amount of dishwasher detergent.

■ Dishwasher will not fill

Is the overll protection oat able to move up and down freely? Press down to release.

■ Dishwasher seems to run too long

Try the 1 Hour Wash cycle. Is the water supplied to the dishwasher hot enough? The

dishwasher runs longer while heating water. Is the dishwasher cycle time within the cycle times? See Cycle

Selections for wash times. A delay automatically occurs in some wash and rinse cycles until the water reaches the proper temperature.

This dishwasher is equipped with an optical sensor wash that detects water temperature, soil, and detergent amount. Wash cycles are adjusted based on the load sensing.

IMPORTANT: The very rst wash cycle after installation in your home will be adjusted to include an additional 2 rinses. This cycle must not be interrupted for proper sensor adjustment. If this adjustment cycle is canceled or stopped before the Clean light comes on at the end of the cycle, the next wash cycle will repeat this sensor adjustment.

■ Water remains in the dishwasher

Is the cycle complete? Was the disposer knockout plug removed during installation?

(See “Install the drain hose” section in the Installation Instructions.)

■ Detergent remains in the covered section of the dispenser

Is the cycle complete? Check for items such as cookie sheets, cutting boards, or

large containers that may be blocking the detergent dispenser from opening properly.

Be sure the cycle has nished (green light is on). If it has not nished, you will need to resume the cycle by pressing START/ RESUME and closing the door within 3 seconds.

Is the detergent lump-free? Replace detergent if necessary.

■ White residue on the front of the access panel

Was too much detergent used? Is the brand of detergent making excess foam? Try a different

brand to reduce foaming and eliminate buildup.

■ Odor in the dishwasher

Are dishes washed only every 2 or 3 days? Check and clean your lters regularly. See the table in

“Filtration System” section for “Recommended Time Interval to Clean Your Filter.”

Does the dishwasher have a new plastic smell? Run a vinegar rinse as described in “Dishwasher Care.”

To avoid odor, use affresh

dishwasher and disposal cleaner tablet once a month or as needed for a fresher dishwasher as described in “Dishwasher Care.”

■ Condensation on the kitchen counter (built-in models)

Is the dishwasher aligned with the countertop? Moisture from the vent in the dishwasher console can form on the counter. Refer to the Installation Instructions for more information.

■ Bottom rack does not fully slide into the dishwasher

Reload to keep items from interfering with spray jets or spray arm.

Dishes do not dry completely

■ Dishes do not dry completely

Did you use a rinse aid? Your dishwasher is designed to use rinse aid for good drying performance. Without rinse aid your dishes and dishwasher interior will have excessive moisture. The Heat Dry option will not perform as well without rinse aid.

■ Dishes are not dry

Did you load your dishwasher to allow proper water drainage? Do not overload. Use a liquid rinse aid to speed drying.

Are the plastics wet? Plastics often need towel drying. Is the rinse aid dispenser empty? Did you use an air-dry or energy-saving dry option? Use a

heated drying option for drier dishes.

■ Excess moisture on racks and dishwasher interior

Check the rinse aid indicator to see that there is rinse aid in the dispenser.

Spots and stains on dishes

■ Spotting and filming on dishes

Is your water hard, or is there a high mineral content in your water? Conditioning the nal rinse water with a liquid rinse aid helps eliminate spotting and lming. Keep the rinse aid dispenser lled. Always use a high-temp option. If your water hardness is 13 grains or above, it is strongly recommended that you install a home water softener. If you do not wish to drink softened water, have the softener installed onto your hot water supply.

Is the water temperature too low? For best dishwashing results, water should be 120°F (49°C) as it enters the dishwasher.

Did you use the correct amount of effective detergent? Use recommended dishwasher detergents only. Do not use less than 1 tbs (15 g) per load. Detergent must be fresh to be effective. Heavy soil and/or hard water generally require extra detergent.

Using dishwasher detergent tablets and packs have been proven better than powder, liquid, or gel detergents to reduce lming on your dishes. By using these tablets and packs, over time this will start to reduce or eliminate white lm. Also, by using a rinse aid you can minimize repeat buildup of white lm.

Is the home water pressure high enough for proper dishwasher lling? Home water pressure should be 20 to 120 psi (138 to 828 kPa) for proper dishwasher ll. If you have questions about your water pressure, call a licensed, qualied plumber.

NOTE: To remove spots and lm from glassware, remove all silverware and metal items and run a vinegar rinse as described in “Dishwasher Care.”

■ Silica film or etching (silica film is a milky, rainbow-colored

deposit; etching is a cloudy film)

Sometimes there is a water/chemical reaction with certain types of glassware. This is usually caused by some combination of soft or softened water, alkaline washing solutions, insufcient rinsing, overloading the dishwasher, and the heat of drying. It might not be possible to avoid the problem, except by hand washing.

To slow this process use a minimum amount of detergent but not less than 1 tbs (15 g) per load. Use a liquid rinse aid and underload the dishwasher to allow thorough rinsing. Silica lm and etching are permanent and cannot be removed. Do not use heated drying.

■ White spots on cookware with nonstick nish

Has the dishwasher detergent removed cookware seasoning? Reseason cookware after washing it in the dishwasher.

■ Brown stains on dishes and dishwasher interior

Does your water have high iron content? Rewash dishes using 1-3 tsp (5-15 mL) of citric acid crystals added to the covered section of the detergent dispenser. Do not use detergent. Follow with a Normal wash cycle with detergent. If treatment is needed more often than every other month, the installation of an iron removal unit is suggested.

■ Black or gray marks on dishes

Are aluminum items rubbing dishes during washing? Disposable aluminum items can break down in the dishwasher and cause marking. Handwash these items. Remove aluminum markings by using a mild abrasive cleaner.

■ Orange stains on plastic dishes or dishwasher interior

Are large amounts of tomato-based foods on dishes placed in the dishwasher? It may be necessary to use a stain removal product to remove stains from your dishwasher. Stains will not affect dishwasher performance.

Noises

■ Surging sounds

Surging sounds can occur periodically throughout the cycle while the dishwasher is draining.

■ Valve hissing

Normal water valve hissing may be heard periodically, during the water ll.

■ Snapping sound

A normal snap sound may be heard when the detergent dispenser opens during the cycle, and when the door is opened at the end of the cycle.

■ Grinding, grating, crunching, or buzzing sounds

A hard object has entered the wash module (on some models). When the object is ground up, the sound should stop. If the noise persists after a complete cycle, call for service.

Dishwasher stops and starts

■ Numerous starts and stops

It is normal to hear numerous starts and stops throughout your entire cycle. These starts and stops are needed to provide optimal cleaning performance and energy savings.

■ Depending on cycle selected

Depending on the cycle selected and the soil level sensed by the “Optical Water Sensor” (on some models), you will experience more starts and stops throughout the entire cycle.

Dishes are not completely clean

■ Food soil left on the dishes

Is the dishwasher loaded correctly? Check and clean your lters regularly. See the table in “Filtration

System” section for “Recommended Time Interval to Clean Your Filter.”

Did you choose the cycle that describes the most difcult soil in your dishwasher? If you have some items with heavier soils, use a heavier cycle.

Is the water temperature too low? For best dishwashing results, water should be 120°F (49°C) as it enters the dishwasher.

Did you use the correct amount of fresh detergent? Use recommended dishwasher detergents only. Do not use less than 1 tbs (15 g) per load. Detergent must be fresh to be effective. Heavy soil and/or hard water generally require extra detergent.

Is detergent caked in dispenser? Use fresh detergent only. Do not allow detergent to sit for several hours in a wet dispenser. Clean dispenser when caked detergent is present.

Is the pump or spray arm clogged by labels from bottles and cans?

Are high suds slowing the wash arm? Do not use soap or laundry detergents. Use recommended dishwasher detergents only.

Dishes are damaged during a cycle

■ Chipping of dishes

Did you load the dishwasher properly? Load the dishes and glasses so they are stable and do not strike together from washing action. Minimize chipping by moving the rack in and out slowly.

NOTE: Antiques, feather-edged crystal, and similar types of china and glassware might be too delicate for automatic dishwashing. Wash by hand.

+ 36 hidden pages

Whirlpool WDF520PADM Owner's Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual