Are there puddles of water in your Samsung dishwasher? Is it failing to heat or even getting too hot?
This and other reasons can cause the heavy light in your dishwasher to blink. Let’s talk about how to fix that.
How do you solve a blinking heavy light on your Samsung dishwasher?
The heavy light blinking by itself indicates that the sensor has detected a leak. If it flashes with other lights, this points to a water supply issue or a temperature error.
Unplug the machine. Then, look for and clear out clogs that could be causing leaks or draining problems.
If the error remains, you can also try the following steps:
- Check for plumbing issues.
- Make sure that all hoses are connected securely.
- Look for any damage inside the dishwasher, especially in the heating and draining systems.
If the lights still flash after trying all of these things, it could be a systemic issue or error instead of a leak. Try rebooting your dishwasher to fix this.
To reboot your dishwasher, unplug it for one to five minutes. Then, plug it in and turn it back on.
Also, remember that the lights may simply blink when you’re using the dishwasher. So, only consider the flashing as a sign of an error when your machine isn’t working properly or when it has stopped during a cycle.
If you need more direction on where to look and what to do, read our guide below.
Causes of the Heavy Light Blinking in a Samsung Dishwasher
As stated above, the heavy light can blink alone or in conjunction with other lights in the panel.
Since each combination of lights means a different issue, troubleshooting also varies based on which lights flash.
The heavy light flashing, whether by itself or with other lights, means one of 3 errors.
| Main Type of Error | Light Combinations Possible (and Error Subtypes) |
| Leakage Error | Heavy |
| Water Level Error | Over-Level Water Error Heavy (in models with Express 60 only) Heavy & Quick Heavy & Smart Auto Low-Level Water Error Heavy, Normal, & Smart Auto |
| Temperature Error | Sensor Error Heavy, Quick+, & Smart Auto Heavy, Delicate, & Smart Auto Heavy, Delicate, & Quick Heater Error Heavy & Delicate Heavy & Quick + Heavy & Express 60 (in models with Express 60 only) Thermistor Error Heavy & Normal Heavy, Normal, & Express 60 (in models with Express 60 only) |
Now that you know what causes your heavy light to go off, let’s dive deeper into what you can do to resolve each issue.
Leakage Error
Signs
For Samsung dishwasher models without an Express 60 option, a heavy light blinking by itself means that your machine’s leak sensor has detected moisture.
Your dishwasher will not turn itself off as it tries to auto-correct the error by draining the water away.
So, before you try to look for the source of the leak in your dishwasher, make sure to unplug it or switch it off from the circuit breaker.
Depending on the cause, you know that there’s a leak when puddles of water are forming in front of your dishwasher or there are water trails underneath it.
Causes
If the water trail isn’t visible, it’s likely that the moisture may be caused by an external source.
This could come from a wet floor, spilled drink, or some leftover water from a previous flooding incident.
On the other hand, if you have already seen puddles of water in or out of your dishwasher, it may be caused by one of the following reasons:
- Damaged or loose water supply hose. Kinks or gaps in the water supply hose can cause water to leak and trigger the heavy light.
- Loose or clogged drain hose. Gaps in the drain hose connections may cause the water to slip through. It is also possible that food waste and debris are clogging the drain hose, causing the water to spill elsewhere.
- Unleveled placement. If your dishwasher is titled from left to right or front to back, it may cause the door to open slightly and leak some water.
- Overextended tub. This happens when your dishwasher is screwed way too tight on each side of the cabinet. An overextended tub will cause gaps on the sides of the dishwasher where the water can leak.
- Clogged or torn drain filter. Drain filters are vulnerable to clogging from detergent suds and food residue. If the filter is clogged or damaged, wastewater won’t be able to drain properly, resulting in leaks.
- Clogged or cracked dispenser. If the dispenser tray is clogged or damaged, it will release unusual amounts of detergent, which will cause suds to form.
These suds can block the water running through the dishwasher or cause moisture that’ll trigger the leak sensor.
- Worn out gaskets. Gaskets act as a watertight seal to keep the water from slipping out the dishwasher door. However, since they are made of rubber, they are also prone to wear and tear, so they sometimes need to be replaced.
- Dysfunctional water pumps. The water pump pushes the water in and out of the dishwasher. Any obstructions or damage will prevent it from functioning properly.
- Clogged water nozzles. Dirty nozzles will cause the water to spray everywhere instead of its usual targeted stream. Make sure that they are clear of obstructions.
- Unremoved garbage disposal cap. If you have connected your new dishwasher to the garbage disposal, it’s possible that you left the cap on. This will stop the water from coming out and cause it to leak somewhere else instead.
Solutions
If there are no visible leaks or water trails, try looking for any wet sources or moisture near your dishwasher.
Once you have cleaned and dried the wet areas, reboot your dishwasher to resolve the error.
If there are visible leaks, unplug your machine and follow the water trail. See if you find the source of the leak.
Make sure that your dishwasher isn’t tilting and loosen the screws if the tub is stretched.
Then, inspect the water supply and drain hoses for clogs and damage. Make sure that the supply and drain hoses are connected securely.
You should also take out the drain filter and clean it carefully in running water. Look for clogs in the sump area and water nozzles and clean them as much as you can.
Lastly, make sure that the rubber seals are properly aligned and clean the detergent dispenser for any excess suds. If these parts are damaged, replace them immediately.
Over-Level Water Error
Signs
When there’s too much water in the dishwasher than necessary, the following light combinations pop up:
- Heavy (in models with Express 60 only)
- Heavy & Quick
- Heavy & Smart Auto
This error is closely linked to a draining issue. If there are any damaged parts in the draining system, you might also hear a low-humming noise or a loud squeal.
Causes
As stated, the main culprit for this error is a draining problem. This can be caused by a malfunctioning or clogged component.
If you think that the damage is mechanical, here’s where you can start checking:
- Drain impeller. This component is accessed from the bottom of the dishwasher and is responsible for pushing the water out.
- Drain pump motor. The drain pump motor powers the impeller. If the motor pump malfunctions, the impeller won’t be able to spin and drain the water.
- Drain solenoid. This part is responsible for opening the drain valve that lets the dirty water out from the machine. If damaged, the valve will remain closed and will cause your tub to fill with water.
- Check valve. The check valve prevents the water from coming back inside the dishwasher once it has been drained. A faulty check valve will cause the wastewater to re-enter.
If all draining components are undamaged, you may be facing a clogging issue. Here are the most vulnerable parts you should inspect:
- Drain valve. This valve is where the wastewater first exits your dishwasher. If the valve is stuck in a close position, the drained water won’t be able to get out.
- Drain hose. The drain hose can be clogged by food residue or any debris from the garbage disposal or the sink drain. It’s also likely that the drain hose is bent and is restricting the flow of water out of your dishwasher.
- Drain filter. As previously mentioned, the drain filter can be clogged when not cleaned regularly. Depending on the dirt build-up, this may slow down the draining process or stop it entirely.
Solution
Unplug your dishwasher and detach the drain hose from both ends. Run some water in the hose to check for blockages and remove any debris.
Be sure to reattach the drain hose properly. Tighten the connection so there aren’t any gaps that may cause leaks in the future.
Also, take out the drain filter assembly and clean it thoroughly. To do this, remove the lower rack, hold the propeller, and turn the filter assembly counterclockwise.
Once the assembly is out, clean the filters in running water using a soft brush. Be careful not to damage or poke a hole in the screen.
Inspecting and diagnosing damaged components may be a little difficult for those who aren’t experienced with tools or appliance repair.
If you suspect any damaged parts, ask for help from your local appliance experts.
Low-Level Water Error
Signs
Another issue that your heavy light may be trying to point out is a low-level water error. You’ll notice this if the following light combination flickers:
- Heavy, Normal, & Smart Auto
This error means that your dishwasher isn’t getting enough water to meet the minimum requirement of a washing cycle.
Causes
Here are the common reasons for this error:
- Clogged water inlet hose. The inlet hose, just like others, is also prone to clogging. If the port is dirty, this may restrict some of the water from coming into your dishwasher.
- Low water pressure. If your dishwasher isn’t getting enough water, it may be because your home’s water supply isn’t strong enough due to a small water line or a partially opened water supply.
Solution
First, verify that there are no problems with your plumbing. Also, make sure that your water supply is turned on.
Next, check for any bends or kinks in the hose that may be limiting the flow of water. Since the hose is small, any bends or damage is enough to affect the water supply.
You can also check if your floater switch or water level switch is faulty. If damaged, it may not be reading the water level correctly, so have it fixed or replaced.
Temperature Error
Signs
One of the common temperature-related errors on Samsung dishwashers is a faulty temperature sensor.
When the following lights are on, you know that this is your problem:
- Heavy, Quick+, & Smart Auto
- Heavy, Delicate, & Smart Auto
- Heavy, Delicate, & Quick
Other light combinations that suggest a temperature error are the following:
The heater is failing:
- Heavy & Delicate
The dishwasher is unable to heat:
- Heavy & Quick +
- Heavy & Express 60 (in models with Express 60 only)
The thermistor is malfunctioning:
- Heavy & Normal
- Heavy, Normal, & Express 60 (in models with Express 60 only)
Causes
Since these errors are caused by wiring issues or damaged heating elements, temperature-related errors can be dangerous.
So before you look inside to inspect, make sure that you have unplugged the dishwasher to avoid electrocution or other injuries.
Samsung dishwashers have their own heating elements to regulate the temperature. This means tapping it into a hot water supply is harmful, not helpful.
Also, heating elements such as the sensor or the thermistor can become faulty. It will result in an inaccurate reading, thermal mismatch, or too much heat generated by the dishwasher.
Solution
You’ll need to replace the thermistor and heating sensor. While this is doable, it can be quite technical.
Hence, when it comes to damaged heating elements, it’s best to leave it to a professional.
Turn the machine off and call a local repair service that can help resolve the problem for you.
Trouble-shooting your Samsung dishwasher is easier with the tips provided above. As long as you know which lights are blinking, you can more or less diagnose the problem yourself and conduct an easy fix.
However, you should know that some issues require the assistance of an appliance repair technician or the Samsung service center.
In that case, avoid using your broken dishwasher until you get a professional to take a look at it.
