Samsung DW80R9950US (Linear Wash) – Touch control not responding Repair Guide

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Model: Samsung DW80R9950US (Linear Wash)
Brand: Samsung
Model Number: DW80R9950US

🔍 Problem Description

Reset control panel; check ribbon cable connections; replace UI board

📋 What You’ll Need

  • UI board
  • Ribbon cable

    • 🔧 Step-by-Step Repair Instructions

      🔧 Step 1: Reset control panel (unplug for 30 seconds)

      1. Open the dishwasher door fully to access the interior.
      2. Look at the front edge of the dishwasher door where it meets the tub—you’ll see the control panel strip running horizontally across the top.
      3. Close the dishwasher door.
      4. Locate your home’s circuit breaker panel and identify the breaker labeled for the dishwasher (typically a 15-amp or 20-amp breaker).
      5. Flip the dishwasher circuit breaker to the OFF position—the switch will move to the opposite direction and you’ll hear a click.
      6. Open the dishwasher door again and press any button on the control panel—nothing should light up, confirming power is cut.
      7. Kneel down and open the lower cabinet directly beneath or adjacent to the dishwasher (most Samsung installations have the power cord accessible here).
      8. Look for a standard 3-prong electrical plug inserted into a wall outlet, typically located 12-18 inches from the floor on the left or right side of the dishwasher base.
      9. Grasp the plug body (not the cord) firmly and pull straight out from the outlet until completely disconnected.
      10. Set your phone timer or watch a clock for exactly 30 seconds—this duration allows the control board capacitors to fully discharge.
      11. After 30 seconds have elapsed, push the plug firmly back into the wall outlet until it seats completely flush—you should not see any of the metal prongs exposed.
      12. Return to your circuit breaker panel and flip the dishwasher breaker back to the ON position.
      13. Close the lower cabinet door.
      14. Press any button on the dishwasher control panel—the display should illuminate, showing either “0:00” or the Samsung logo, indicating successful power restoration and control panel reset.

      🛠️ Step 2: Check ribbon cable connections to control panel

      1. Locate the main control panel assembly at the top front of the dishwasher door, directly behind the outer stainless steel panel where the touchscreen interface is mounted.
      2. Open the dishwasher door fully to access the interior door panel where ribbon cables connect to the control board.
      3. Remove the 6 Torx T20 screws securing the inner door panel—3 screws along the top edge spaced approximately 4 inches apart, and 3 screws along each side edge, positioned 2 inches from the top corner.
      4. Lift the inner door panel up and away, tilting it slightly forward to expose the control board assembly mounted on the upper door frame.
      5. Identify the two ribbon cable connectors: the wider 20-pin ribbon cable (approximately 1 inch wide) on the left side of the control board, and the narrower 12-pin ribbon cable (approximately 0.6 inches wide) on the right side.
      6. Inspect both ribbon cable connection points for any visible gaps between the cable end and the connector housing—the cable should be fully inserted with no exposed metal contacts visible.
      7. Release the first connector by sliding the black locking tab horizontally away from the ribbon cable approximately 2mm until it stops, then gently pull the ribbon cable straight out.
      8. Examine the ribbon cable for any creases, tears, or discoloration on the copper contact strips at the cable end.
      9. Reinsert the ribbon cable by sliding it straight into the connector slot until the copper contacts are no longer visible, then push the black locking tab back toward the cable until it clicks into the locked position.
      10. Repeat steps 7-9 for the second ribbon cable connector.
      11. Success verification: each locking tab sits flush against the ribbon cable with no gap, and tugging gently on the cables produces no movement.

      ⚙️ Step 3: Test touchpad buttons

      1. Locate the multimeter you set aside earlier and rotate the dial to the continuity setting (marked with a diode symbol or speaker icon).
      2. Touch the two multimeter probes together to verify the meter beeps or shows “0.00” – this confirms the continuity function works.
      3. Identify the ribbon cable connector on the back of the touchpad control board – it’s a white rectangular socket positioned at the center of the board, measuring approximately 2 inches wide.
      4. Locate the individual contact points where the ribbon cable pins insert into the connector – you’ll see a row of 20-24 small metal terminals inside the white socket.
      5. Place the black (negative) multimeter probe on the common ground terminal, which is the first pin position on the far left side of the connector when viewing from the front.
      6. Press the “Power” button on the touchpad with your finger while simultaneously touching the red (positive) probe to the second terminal from the left – the multimeter should beep and display “0.00” indicating continuity.
      7. Release the “Power” button and verify the multimeter returns to “OL” (open line) or stops beeping – this confirms the button releases properly.
      8. Repeat this press-and-test procedure for each remaining button, moving the red probe one terminal to the right for each subsequent button test (third terminal for “Delay Start”, fourth for “Half Load”, fifth for “Sanitize”, and so on across all control buttons).
      9. Write down which buttons fail to beep when pressed or fail to release – these are defective membrane switches requiring touchpad replacement.
      10. If all buttons beep when pressed and stop when released, the touchpad membrane is functional and the issue lies with the main control board requiring replacement of part number DD97-00519A.

      🔩 Step 4: Inspect UI board for damage

      1. Position the detached UI control panel face-down on your clean work surface with the circuit board facing upward toward you.
      2. Examine the green rectangular circuit board measuring approximately 8 inches wide by 3 inches tall for any visible burn marks, which appear as black or brown discoloration on the green surface or around component legs.
      3. Look at all silver-colored solder joints (the shiny connections where component wires meet the board) for cracks, which appear as dark lines or gaps in the silvery solder, indicating a broken electrical connection.
      4. Inspect the three white plastic wire connectors located along the right edge of the board for melted plastic, identified by deformed connector shapes, white plastic turned brown or black, or visible warping.
      5. Check the ribbon cable connector (the flat gray connector at the bottom center of the board) for bent pins by looking straight down at the connector—all metal pins should stand vertically in parallel rows without any leaning to the sides.
      6. Examine all black rectangular components (integrated circuits) and cylindrical components (capacitors) for physical cracks, bulging tops on cylindrical capacitors (the top should be flat, not domed), or any components sitting at angles instead of perpendicular to the board.
      7. Run your fingertip across the board surface to feel for raised or loose components that move when touched—all components should sit firmly against the board without wiggling.
      8. Smell the board surface for burnt electronic odor (smells like burnt plastic or sulfur), which indicates overheated components even if no visible damage appears.
      9. If you find burn marks, cracked solder joints, melted connectors, bent pins, bulging capacitors, or loose components, the board requires replacement with part number DD97-00348A.
      10. If the board shows no damage, proceed to Step 5 to test electrical continuity.

      📋 Step 5: Replace UI board if reset doesn’t resolve

      1. Locate the circuit breaker labeled for your dishwasher and switch it to OFF position
      2. Use a non-contact voltage tester at the dishwasher’s control panel to confirm zero power
      3. Open the dishwasher door fully to 90 degrees
      4. Locate 4 Torx T15 screws along the top inner edge of the door, one at each corner approximately 2 inches from each side
      5. Remove all 4 screws using a T15 Torx bit driver
      6. Grasp the stainless steel front panel at both bottom corners
      7. Lift the panel upward approximately 1 inch, then pull forward to unhook from top retaining clips
      8. Set the outer door panel aside on a flat surface
      9. Identify the white plastic UI board housing mounted to the right side of the door frame
      10. Locate 2 Phillips-head screws securing the board housing (one at top, one at bottom)
      11. Remove both screws using a Phillips #2 screwdriver
      12. Slide the UI board assembly 1 inch to the right to release from mounting tabs
      13. Identify the wide ribbon cable connector (40-pin) on the back of the UI board
      14. Press the black locking tab downward on the ribbon connector while pulling the ribbon cable straight out
      15. Align the 40-pin ribbon cable with the connector on the new UI board
      16. Insert the ribbon cable until the connector clicks audibly (approximately 0.25 inches depth)
      17. Push the black locking tab upward to secure
      18. Position the new UI board housing onto the mounting tabs, sliding left until flush
      19. Install the 2 Phillips screws, tightening until snug (do not overtighten plastic housing)
      20. Reinstall the outer door panel by hooking top clips first, then pressing bottom until it seats flush
      21. Install all 4 Torx screws
      22. Restore power at the circuit breaker

      đź›’ Recommended Products

      Here are the recommended products for this repair: