Samsung dishwasher stops mid-cycle, sometimes it can finish cycle, sometimes not. Why is that?
Appliance ExpertHi, I’m Mike, your appliance troubleshooting expert—when it stopped, did the control panel stay lit (any lights blinking) and was there an error code or water left in the tub?
The lights stayed on, the Start light was blinking, no error code, and there was water pooled in the bottom.
Appliance ExpertDoes the door latch feel firm and does the dishwasher resume if you press Start after firmly closing the door?
The door seems to close fine; if I press Start it tries for a second and then stops and starts blinking again.
Appliance ExpertWhat is the exact model number and roughly how old is the unit?
It’s a Samsung DW80K5050US, about 5 years old.
Appliance ExpertWhen you press Start now, do you hear the drain pump run for a few seconds or just a quick buzz, and do you see any water under the unit or in the sink cabinet?
I hear a brief hum like it’s trying to drain, then it stops; water stays in the tub and there’s no water on the floor that I can see.
Appliance ExpertGiven the panel is lit, the Start light blinks, and it briefly attempts to drain before stopping on a DW80K-series, the most likely cause is an intermittent or weak door latch/switch making the control think the door opened mid-cycle; this model will pause with a blinking Start when the door signal drops even momentarily. Other possibilities, in order of likelihood, are: a loose/bent latch strike or wiring at the latch (intermittent door signal), a drain pump that starts then stalls or a partial blockage in the drain path (would often throw a 5C/SC code but not always), moisture in the base pan tripping the leak sensor (LC) (less likely here because that usually runs the pump continuously), or a failing control board that misreads the door or pump. A technician would prioritize inspecting and testing the door latch/switch and strike alignment, checking the latch harness to the control, running diagnostics for stored error codes, and then evaluating drain pump amperage and the hose/check valve for restrictions; they’d also check the base pan for moisture. Safety note: if you notice water under the unit, burning smells, or heat/charring at the junction box, disconnect power and call a pro—shock and fire hazards. Based on your symptoms, I’d rank the door latch/switch as the top suspect, followed by the drain system. If you’d like, I can walk you through simple, safe checks you can do without disassembly.