How to replace Whirlpool, Maytag or KitchenAid dishwasher electronic control board WPW10285179
Samantha Bullington / Tuesday January 2, 2024
Is your dishwasher acting up and leaving you with dirty dishes? If the electronic control board is the culprit, don’t worry—replacing it yourself is surprisingly easy and cost-effective. Dive into our comprehensive guide and watch the step-by-step video below to bring your dishwasher back to life in no time!
You may need to replace your Whirlpool, KitchenAid, or Maytag dishwasher’s electronic control board if it’s damaged or failed testing. Thankfully, replacing it is an easy do-it-yourself project that can save you time and money.
The electronic control board is the “brain” of your dishwasher and controls all of the dishwasher’s functions. Over time, you may notice that some features aren’t working correctly or the dishwasher not working at all, which may indicate it’s time to replace the control board.
If you need control board WPW10285179, you can order it here. If you need any other parts for your dishwasher, enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com to find them.
WATCH: How to install dishwasher control board WPW10285179
What you need
- Torx 15 screwdriver – to remove the screws from the control panel.
- Flat blade screwdriver – to open tabs and disconnect wiring plugs.
- New electronic control board WPW10285179 – take your model number to AppliancePartsPros.com to make sure you have the correct part for your unit.
READ MORE: Why It’s Best to Choose OEM Over Aftermarket Parts for Appliance Repairs
Keep safety first
When working on any appliance repair, remember to keep safety first. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before attempting any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by preventing any risk of electric shock.
- Turn off the water supply to the dishwasher.
- Lay out a protective mat or towels to avoid damaging the floor or countertops.
- If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time to cool down before working on it.
- Take your time and don’t rush while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries.
- Work in a well-lit area so you can clearly see and access appliance parts.
- Keep your workspace free of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
- Never work on internal parts with wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
- Check the user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions related to your appliance or replacement part.
- Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause personal injury.
- Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts and debris.
- When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
READ MORE: My part is no longer available! What do I do now?
Replacement steps
Step 1 – Remove the control panel
- Open the dishwasher door and find the control panel along the top edge inside the door. You will see several screw holes in the metal frame around it.
- Use your Torx 15 screwdriver to carefully remove the six screws that secure the control panel assembly in place. Then set them aside.
- Gently pull the control panel away from the dishwasher door. The control panel will still be partially connected by wiring, so don’t try to remove it fully yet.
- Along the bottom of the control panel, you’ll see a cover panel with four plastic tabs. Take your flat-blade screwdriver and gently pry outward on each tab to pop the cover panel off.
- Set the cover panel aside. You now have access to the back of the control panel and wiring connections.
READ MORE: How to Clean a Dishwasher
Step 2 – Remove the old control board
- Look for a bracket with a locking tab on each side of the door latch mechanism. Use the flat-blade screwdriver to pry open the side tabs and remove this bracket. Set it aside carefully.
- Near the center of the control panel, there’s a thin flex cable that connects to the main control board. Carefully disconnect the flex cable. The control board can be pulled to the side of the panel and lifted up while you use a flathead screwdriver to release the lock tabs found near where the flex cable is connected to the control.
- With the cable unplugged, you can now fully detach the control panel and set it to the side.
- Flip the control board to where the wire connections can be easily viewed. You will see several wire bundle plugs of varying sizes that connect to the circuit board with locking tabs securing them.
- Use the flat-blade screwdriver to gently release the locking tabs on each plug to disconnect them from the old circuit board. Pull firmly but slowly on the plugs to detach them.
- Refer to the wire colors and labels to take note of where each connector plugs in, you can also take pictures to refer to later. This will make installing the new board easier.
- Fully remove the old electronic control board. Discard or recycle it appropriately.
READ MORE: Best Loading Techniques For Your Dishwasher
Step 3 – Install the new electronic control board
- Orient the new control board so the labeled plugs match the locations from the old board. Double-check that the wire colors match as well.
- Firmly push each wire plug into its connection port on the board, and make sure it clicks and locks in place. Refer to your notes if needed.
- Pay special attention to the thermal fuse and reattach it securely to the bracket on the new board.
- Once you have carefully connected all plugs, place the control back into position on the control panel.
- Push the thin flex cable plug firmly back into its socket connector. Then put the control cover back into place.
READ MORE: Surprising Things That Can & Can’t Go in the Dishwasher
Step 4 – Reassemble the dishwasher
- Now that the control is secured to the control panel, replace the door latch. Snap it back into place.
- Place the control panel firmly against the inner door panel.
- Insert the 6 Torx 15 screws back into the control panel holes and tighten them with your screwdriver.
- Close the dishwasher door.
- Reconnect the power and water supply lines.
- Run an empty test cycle to make sure the dishwasher is working correctly.
More information
Thanks for reading! We hope this article helped you replace the electronic control board in your KitchenAid, Whirlpool, or Maytag dishwasher.
If you still need some replacement parts, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com. We offer over two million parts and most orders arrive in two business days. If you need some help with finding the right part or placing an order, you can contact our team at 1 (877) 477-7278.
While you’re waiting for your new part to arrive, you can explore our DIY blog and watch thousands of video tutorials on our YouTube channel.
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Hey there, I’m Samantha and I’m super excited to be a part of the Appliance Parts Pros team! With 9 years of experience, I’ve had the awesome opportunity to assist countless customers in troubleshooting their home appliances and finding DIY repair solutions.