Dishwasher displays C5; spray arms may not rotate properly and dishes remain dirty.
Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: Disconnect power at the breaker before accessing internal components.
- Clean filters thoroughly: Remove lower rack and both coarse and fine filters. Rinse under hot water and scrub off grease and food residue.
- Inspect spray arms: Remove lower and upper spray arms (they usually twist off or have a retaining nut). Rinse and use a toothpick to clear any blocked jets.
- Check for overloading: Ensure dishes are not blocking the spray arms from spinning. Large trays or pans can prevent rotation and trigger low-pressure errors.
- Inspect circulation pump area: With power off, access the bottom of the dishwasher. Locate the circulation (wash) pump attached to the sump. Check for leaks or signs of overheating. If accessible, inspect the impeller for broken blades or obstructions.
- Run a test cycle: Restore power and run a short cycle with the door briefly opened mid-wash (carefully) to confirm spray arm movement and water pressure.
If cleaning and loading adjustments do not resolve the C5 error, the circulation pump assembly may need replacement. This is a more advanced repair and may be best handled by a technician.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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