Samsung DW80K5050US – Heavy/HE error Repair Guide

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Model: Samsung DW80K5050US
Brand: Samsung
Model Number: DW80K5050US

🔍 Problem Description

Reset by holding two buttons; check heating element; test thermistor

📋 What You’ll Need

  • Heating element
  • Thermistor
  • Multimeter

    • 🔧 Step-by-Step Repair Instructions

      🔧 Step 1: Reset dishwasher by holding two buttons simultaneously

      1. Open the dishwasher door fully until it rests at approximately 90 degrees from the closed position.
      2. Locate the control panel at the top edge of the door’s interior surface, positioned directly below where the door meets the tub opening.
      3. Identify the “Delicate” button on the left side of the control panel, approximately 2 inches from the left edge.
      4. Identify the “Heavy” button on the control panel, positioned approximately 5 inches from the left edge (third button from the left).
      5. Press and hold both the “Delicate” and “Heavy” buttons simultaneously with two fingers.
      6. Continue holding both buttons for 3 seconds while watching the display panel.
      7. Observe the control panel display – all indicator lights will illuminate together, then turn off in sequence from left to right.
      8. Listen for a brief beep sound (approximately 1 second duration) that signals the reset initialization.
      9. Keep holding both buttons until the display shows “0:00” or goes completely blank, which takes approximately 5-8 seconds total.
      10. Release both buttons once the display clears or shows “0:00”.
      11. Watch for the “Clean” light to flash 3 times rapidly, indicating the reset command has been accepted.
      12. Close the dishwasher door completely until you hear the latch click into place.
      13. Wait 10 seconds without touching any buttons while the internal memory resets.
      14. Open the door again and verify the display is blank with no error codes showing (error codes appear as alphanumeric combinations like “LC”, “OE”, or “LE”).

      🛠️ Step 2: Check heating element continuity

      1. Set your digital multimeter to the resistance (Ω) setting, specifically to the 200-ohm range or the lowest ohm setting available on your meter.
      2. Locate the heating element wire connector at the right side of the dishwasher tub, approximately 3 inches from the floor and 2 inches from the right wall. You’ll see a white plastic connector with 2 wires (typically red and black) plugged into the heating element terminals.
      3. Pull the white connector straight off the heating element terminals using firm, steady pressure. The connector may require 5-10 pounds of pulling force to disconnect.
      4. Identify the two metal heating element terminals now exposed – they are flat blade connectors approximately 1/4 inch wide, spaced 1 inch apart.
      5. Touch one multimeter probe to the left terminal and the other probe to the right terminal. Maintain firm contact with both terminals simultaneously.
      6. Read the resistance value on your multimeter display. A functional heating element for this model will show between 15 and 30 ohms. Write down the exact reading you observe.
      7. If the multimeter displays “OL” (open loop), “1”, or infinity symbol (∞), the heating element has failed and requires replacement with part number DD47-00019A.
      8. If the reading is between 15-30 ohms, move one multimeter probe from the heating element terminal to a bare metal section of the dishwasher tub frame (any unpainted metal surface on the side wall works).
      9. The multimeter should now display “OL” or infinity. If you see any resistance reading below 1000 ohms in this test, the heating element is grounding out to the frame and must be replaced.
      10. Reconnect the white wire connector to the heating element terminals by pushing firmly until the connector seats flush against the element base.

      ⚙️ Step 3: Test thermistor with multimeter

      1. Set your digital multimeter to the resistance (Ω) setting at 20K ohms or the next highest range available.
      2. Locate the two wire terminals on the thermistor – you’ll see a white connector housing with two metal pins approximately 3mm apart.
      3. Touch one multimeter probe to each of the two metal terminals on the thermistor connector. The probe orientation doesn’t matter for resistance testing.
      4. Read the resistance value displayed on your multimeter screen. At room temperature (68-72°F), a functioning thermistor should read between 50,000-53,000 ohms (50-53K ohms).
      5. If the multimeter displays “OL” (overload) or infinite resistance, the thermistor has an open circuit and has failed – proceed to replacement.
      6. If the multimeter reads 0 ohms or near-zero, the thermistor is shorted internally and has failed – proceed to replacement.
      7. For a more accurate test, fill a container with ice water, submerge just the thermistor sensor tip (the small metal probe end, not the connector), and wait 2 minutes for temperature stabilization.
      8. With the thermistor in ice water (32°F), the resistance should read between 196,000-204,000 ohms (196-204K ohms).
      9. Next, heat tap water to approximately 140°F using a cooking thermometer to verify temperature, submerge only the thermistor sensor tip, wait 2 minutes, then test resistance.
      10. At 140°F, the resistance should measure between 5,800-6,200 ohms (5.8-6.2K ohms).
      11. Record your readings: room temperature, ice water, and hot water. If any reading falls outside the specified ranges by more than 10%, the thermistor requires replacement (part number DD32-00010A).
      12. If all three readings fall within acceptable ranges, the thermistor is functioning correctly – reconnect the wire harness and investigate other potential causes for your dishwasher issue.

      🔩 Step 4: Inspect for error codes

      1. Press and hold the “Delay Start” and “Delicate” buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds while the dishwasher door is closed to enter diagnostic mode.
      2. Watch the control panel display—it will cycle through a series of two-digit codes appearing in the small LED window on the right side of the control panel.
      3. Write down each code that appears, as multiple codes may display in sequence, each showing for approximately 2 seconds before advancing to the next.
      4. Match your displayed code(s) to these common Samsung DW80K5050US error codes:
      5. Exit diagnostic mode by pressing the “Power” button once, or wait 10 seconds for automatic exit.
      6. If code “LE” or “LC” displays, open the dishwasher door and tilt the unit backward 45 degrees—water will drain from the base pan through a white plastic tube at the rear right corner if leakage occurred.
      7. For “OE” codes, locate the drain filter assembly at the bottom center of the tub and rotate it counterclockwise one-quarter turn to remove and inspect for blockages.
      8. Clear all error codes by pressing and holding “Delicate” and “Heavy” buttons together for 3 seconds—the display will flash three times confirming reset completion.

      📋 Step 5: Replace heating element or thermistor if faulty

      1. Locate the heating element at the bottom center of the tub, beneath the spray arm assembly, running in a U-shape approximately 14 inches wide.
      2. Use a 10mm socket wrench to remove the 2 hex nuts securing the heating element terminals to the tub exterior (accessed from underneath the dishwasher).
      3. Disconnect the 2 wire connectors from the heating element terminals—one blue wire on the left terminal, one red wire on the right terminal.
      4. Push the heating element terminals upward through the tub floor to release them from the mounting holes.
      5. Lift the old heating element out from inside the tub cavity.
      6. Insert the new heating element terminals down through the same 2 mounting holes in the tub floor until the rubber grommets seat flush against the tub bottom.
      7. Thread the 2 hex nuts onto the terminals from underneath and tighten to finger-tight, then an additional quarter-turn with the 10mm socket wrench (approximately 8-10 inch-lbs).
      8. Reconnect the blue wire to the left terminal and red wire to the right terminal until the spade connectors fully seat.
      9. Locate the thermistor mounted on the right sidewall of the tub, 3 inches up from the tub floor and 2 inches back from the front opening.
      10. Disconnect the 2-wire white connector by squeezing the locking tab and pulling straight away from the thermistor body.
      11. Rotate the thermistor counterclockwise 90 degrees to release it from the mounting bracket.
      12. Pull the thermistor straight out through the bracket opening.
      13. Insert the new thermistor through the bracket opening until the flange contacts the bracket face.
      14. Rotate the thermistor clockwise 90 degrees until it stops and locks into position.
      15. Reconnect the 2-wire white connector by pushing firmly until you hear an audible click.

      🛒 Recommended Products

      Here are the recommended products for this repair: