Quick Answer
To reset a Fisher and Paykel dishwasher or DishDrawer, turn it off with the power button, then switch off power at the wall outlet or circuit breaker for about 1 minute and restore it. This clears most temporary faults. If buttons do not respond, check for the key lock symbol and hold the lock button combination until it turns off. Recurring fault codes need service.
Key Takeaways
- A power reset (off at the wall or breaker for about 1 minute) is the standard first step for frozen controls or a fault code.
- In a double DishDrawer, each drawer has its own controls, so troubleshoot the drawer that is misbehaving.
- Unresponsive buttons are often just the key lock or child lock, not a fault.
- Water in the base can trip the flood safety switch, which keeps the drawer from running until it dries.
- If the same fault code returns after a reset, look it up in your user guide and contact Fisher and Paykel service.
Fisher and Paykel makes both conventional built-in dishwashers and DishDrawer models, which are one or two independent drawer dishwashers in a single cabinet. Like most modern appliances, they run on an electronic control board that can occasionally freeze or hold onto an error after a power surge, a door opened mid-cycle or a drain problem. A reset is quick, safe and often all you need.
When Should You Reset a Fisher and Paykel Dishwasher?
A reset makes sense when the control panel freezes, the dishwasher stops mid-cycle, a fault code or flashing light appears, the display is blank, or the machine will not start after a power outage. It will not fix a blocked filter, a kinked drain hose or a failed part, but it clears temporary glitches and lets you see whether a problem is persistent.
| Symptom | Likely cause | First action |
|---|---|---|
| No buttons respond, key icon lit | Key lock or child lock on | Hold the lock button combination to release |
| Blank display | Standby, tripped breaker or power loss | Press power; check breaker and outlet |
| Stopped mid-cycle | Paused, control glitch or drain fault | Cancel program, then power reset |
| Fault code shown | Stored error | Note the code, power reset, check user guide |
| Water left in drawer or tub | Blocked filter or drain | Clean filter, check drain hose, reset |
| Will not start, water in base | Flood safety switch triggered | Turn off power; dry base; find leak |
How Do You Reset a Fisher and Paykel Dishwasher?
This power-reset method works for both DishDrawer and conventional Fisher and Paykel dishwashers.
Step 1: Cancel the Current Program
If a wash is running, cancel it from the control panel. On many DishDrawer models you press the power button (single drawer) or press and hold it (double drawer) to cancel. If there is water in the drawer, the dishwasher will usually drain it before turning off, so give it a minute.
Step 2: Turn the Dishwasher Off
Press the power button to switch the dishwasher or drawer off. On double DishDrawers, you may need to press and hold the power button. Make sure the display goes dark.
Step 3: Disconnect Power for About 1 Minute
Switch off the dishwasher at the wall outlet or unplug it if you can reach the plug. If it is hardwired or the outlet is hidden, turn off its circuit breaker. Wait about 1 minute so the control board fully powers down.
Step 4: Restore Power
Turn the outlet or breaker back on. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button. The display should light up normally without the previous fault.
Step 5: Run a Short Test Cycle
Choose a short or rinse program and start it. Listen for the dishwasher filling, washing and draining. If it completes without an error, the reset worked. If the same fault returns, note the code and move on to troubleshooting.
Safety: Always cut power before touching filters, spray arms, or anything under the dishwasher. If you see water near the electrical connections or smell burning, leave the power off and call a qualified technician.
How Do You Reset One Drawer of a Double DishDrawer?
A double DishDrawer is really two dishwashers in one cabinet, each with its own wash pump, drain and controls. That means one drawer can show a fault while the other works normally. Start by pressing the power button on the problem drawer to wake it from standby, and try cancelling its program. Both drawers usually share one power supply, so a power reset at the wall or breaker restarts both at once. Make sure neither drawer is mid-wash before you cut power, or you may end up with dirty water sitting in the drawer that was working fine. If only one drawer keeps faulting after the reset, its filter, drain path or components are the place to look, rather than the shared power supply.
How Do You Turn Off the Key Lock or Child Lock?
Many DishDrawer models have a key lock that disables all buttons and a child lock that also locks the drawer closed. When either is active, a key or lock indicator lights up, and pressing buttons does nothing. This often looks like a fault, but it is a setting.
On many models, you cancel the lock by pressing and holding the same two buttons used to set it, or the button marked with a key symbol, until you hear a tone and the indicator goes out. The exact buttons differ by model, so check the quick start guide or the key symbol printed on your panel. Some models need you to hold for a few seconds before the tone sounds.
What Should You Do If It Shows a Fault Code?
Fisher and Paykel dishwashers display numbered fault codes, often shown with an F, when something goes wrong. Write the code down before you reset, since a reset clears the display. Then:
- Do a power reset as described above.
- Run a short test cycle.
- If the code returns, look it up in the “If there is a fault” or troubleshooting section of your user guide. Model-specific guides are available on the Fisher and Paykel website by entering your model number.
- Check the common causes below before calling for service.
Your model number is usually on a label inside the drawer or door edge. Have it and the fault code ready when you contact service.
What Are Common Causes of Faults?
Blocked Filter
Food debris in the filter is one of the most frequent causes of poor draining and errors. Remove the filter from the bottom of the drawer or tub, rinse it under warm running water, scrub gently with a soft brush, and reinstall it until it locks.
Drain Hose Problems
A kinked, crushed or clogged drain hose stops water from leaving. Check under the sink where the hose connects to the sink drain or garbage disposal. If you recently installed a new disposal, make sure the knockout plug in its dishwasher inlet was removed.
Water in the Base
If a leak or overflow puts water in the base tray, a float switch shuts the dishwasher down as a safety measure. Turn off the power, soak up the water you can reach, and allow it to dry. Excess suds from using regular dish soap instead of dishwasher detergent are a common cause.
Water Supply Issues
Make sure the water supply valve under the sink is fully open and the inlet hose is not kinked. Low water pressure can trigger filling errors.
Power Surges or Outages
A brief outage or surge can leave the control board in a confused state. A power reset usually fixes it.
Tip: Clean the filter every week or two if you rinse dishes lightly, and wipe the drawer seals. A clean filter prevents many drain-related faults before they happen.
What Mistakes Should You Avoid?
- Resetting repeatedly without noting the fault code, which hides useful information.
- Using hand dish soap in the dishwasher, which causes excess suds and leaks.
- Forcing a locked drawer open while child lock is active.
- Working on the dishwasher without cutting power at the breaker.
- Removing panels or the control board yourself on a unit still under warranty.
When Should You Call Fisher and Paykel Service?
Contact Fisher and Paykel customer care or an authorized service technician if the same fault code returns after a reset and basic checks, the dishwasher trips the breaker, you find a leak you cannot trace, the motor hums without washing, or the display stays blank with confirmed power. Repairs involving the control board, pumps, motor or wiring should be done by a qualified technician, and do-it-yourself repairs may affect your warranty.
Other kitchen appliances benefit from the same reset-and-clean approach. See our guides on using an Oster rice cooker, cleaning a Honeywell humidifier, and repairing a damaged glass cooktop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a reset button on a Fisher and Paykel dishwasher?
Most Fisher and Paykel dishwashers and DishDrawers do not have a dedicated reset button. The standard reset is to turn the unit off, cut power at the wall outlet or circuit breaker for about one minute, and then restore power and switch it back on.
Why are my DishDrawer buttons not working?
If a key or lock symbol is lit, the key lock or child lock is on and all buttons are disabled. Press and hold the lock button combination for your model until you hear a tone and the indicator goes out. If no lock is shown, try a power reset.
How do I cancel a wash on a Fisher and Paykel DishDrawer?
On many single DishDrawers you press the power button to cancel a wash, and on double DishDrawers you press and hold it. If there is water in the drawer, it usually drains before the drawer turns off. Check your quick start guide for your exact model.
What does a fault code mean on a Fisher and Paykel dishwasher?
Fault codes identify a specific problem, such as a drain, fill, heating or leak issue. Meanings vary by model, so note the code and look it up in the troubleshooting section of your user guide, available on the Fisher and Paykel website using your model number.
Why does my Fisher and Paykel dishwasher stop mid-cycle?
Common causes include a blocked filter or drain hose, water in the base triggering the flood safety switch, an opened drawer, or a control glitch after a power surge. Clean the filter, check the drain and base, then do a power reset. Call service if it keeps happening.
