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A Samsung dishwasher is a smart appliance. Meaning, you’ll get a notification if any component is not working correctly. Resolving error codes is not hard; slight corrections such as adjusting water supply temperature or correct installation of the drain hose should do the trick, depending on the error. Refer to the tech sheet (image below) to decipher the error code.
This article details how to resolve the water level error, which is indicated by the three lights NORMAL – HEAVY – SMART AUTO flashing.
Read Also: Samsung Dishwasher not cleaning dishes? How to Fix it
What Does the “Normal” “Smart Auto” and “Heavy” LED Flashing Mean?
You start a cycle, hear the water get in, but after a minute, the drain pump kicks on draining everything away before the wash cycle. Then you get those NORMAL – HEAVY – SMART AUTO lights flashing. What your Samsung dishwasher is trying to tell you is that there’s a problem with the case break sensor.
This error code means a low-water level error. A Samsung dishwasher has a case break overflow water sensor that monitors the water level and sends activation signals to the drainage pump. This is to prevent problems like an overflow, low water level supply, or just a general water supply error.
If your Samsung dishwasher is in good condition, the drain pump shouldn’t kick in right after it was filled with water. If your dishwasher keeps draining out, then it could be due to one of the following errors:
· Blocked supply valves
· A broken case sensor or it just dirty inside
· A problematic Flow
Samsung Dishwasher Error Code List
- If HEAVY QUICK+ SMART AUTO flashing – Temperature Sensor issue
- If HEAVY QUICK+ flashing – Heater Error
- If NORMAL SMART AUTO flashing – High-Temperature Heating Error
- If NORMAL HEAVY SMART AUTO flashing – Low Water Level Error
- If SMART AUTO flashing – Water Supply Error. Check whether the water supply valve is closed or water supply is suspended or water inlet valve line is frozen or clogged by foreign particles.
- If NORMAL QUICK+ SMART AUTO flashing – High-Temperature Water Supply Error. Check the temperature of the water to make sure it’s not high then 167 Fahrenheit or 80 Celcius.
- If QUICK+ flashing – Drain Error. Check the drain hose and the drain pump.
- If HEAVY SMART AUTO flashing – Over Level Water Error. Check Overflow Water Sensor (on the left side of the dishwasher) and blow into black rubber hose which is connected to the sump. If its clogged, that sensor (it’s actually 2 probs with blue wires connected to) will not “see” how much water got in the dishwasher. See pictures below
- If HEAVY flashing – Leakage error. Water in the bottom pan of the dishwasher.
- If NORMAL QUICK+ flashing – Button error.
Caution! Before attempting to repair your dishwasher, always cut off the power supply to the Samsung dishwasher. It is also recommended that you turn off the water supply to prevent a mess. If the troubleshooting tips below do not resolve your problem, you may need to test the power outlet for proper voltage. Contact a professional for help with electrical components.
Read also: 5 Common Samsung Dishwasher Problems
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How do you fix the low water level error?
1. Clean the Overflow Sensor
You will need a Phillips Screwdriver and Long nose Pliers. Follow the manufacturer’s standard procedure to get to the overflow sensor.
The overflow sensor has two parts: The case sensor and the flow meter assembly. The flow meter assembly has a little spinning wheel, while the case sensor chamber has a floating piece that moves up and down depending on the water level in the unit.
The case sensor is just a rudimentary system with two exposed electrode prongs such that when water reaches them, the circuit becomes complete, and the draining mechanism is triggered.
But water is not the only thing that could complete the circuit. Residues from corrosion, molds, and hard water can also complete the circuit triggering the error code.
Therefore, in the case that the error code results from a corroded sensor, cleaning the sensor chamber should fix your dishwasher. To access the sensor chamber, use a half-inch drill to make holes near the sensor, taking caution not to damage the sensor electrodes or float piece. Next, use stuff such as alcohol, CLR, q-tips to get rid of hard water sum and mold.
Finally, seal back the chamber using a thick plastic and sealants that can handle high water temperature.
3. Replace Broken Case Sensor
In the case that cleaning the sensor chamber didn’t fix the Oe error code, then probably the case brake sensor is broken, and you have to purchase a new Over Level Water Sensor. Follow the manufacturer’s guideline to install the new case brake sensor into your system. And if you still get the same problem, replace the flow meter assembly.
Depends on your dishwasher model, you will need the whole Case break assembly (click here) or just overflow sensor (click here).
A faulty case brake system does not only send overflow water level errors, but you could also get low water level error or water supply error. The hacks mentioned above should be able to fix the failure.
Smart Auto and Heavy LED signaling lights are common on Samsung dishwashers. Customers across the world are reporting frustrations due to the faulty case brake systems. You turn on the cycle, hear the water coming in, then suddenly the drainage pump kicks in, and all the water is gone! Very unfortunate.
If your water is hard, you can expect this failure at some pint down the line unless you use a water softener. And if the sensor chamber is already corroded, open it and give it a blitz as directed above. The good thing with drilling holes to clean the chamber and sealing them back with plastic is the plastic can be removed easily for future cleaning tasks.
And finally, in the case that all the above hacks don’t work, check if the unit is satisfied with the amount of water that is coming in. Leaking valves and drains can trigger the Smart Auto and Heavy lights too. Inspect the recesses of your dishwasher for leaking components. Tighten the water supply line dry the inside of the dishwasher using a paper towel.
noticed water standing in the bottom of the dishwasher. Tried holding down start button for drain, no good. Tried running thru a normal wash cycle. Now smart auto & Heavy lights blinking. Would water level sensor mentioned above affect draining?
First, thanks so much. I have a Samsung Dishwasher DD81-01549A-EN. We didn’t use it for awhile and when I turn it on now all it does is beep three times and flash Normal and Smart Auto. No other buttons do anything and it never turns on. Flashes forever but only beeps the three times. Any advice for something I could try from home? Also, any idea where to get a manual? Thanks.
Flashing Normal and Smart Auto means High-Temperature Heating Error. I believe it is somehow related to the temperature sensor. Either sensor bad wire connection, calcium builds up around sensor or sensor itself is a failure
Hello, what does it mean when only the lights indicator is on. None of the rest of the bottoms will turn on. I Already vacuum inside clean the filters inside and vacuum the water house and clean the water filter on the side that was clogged. But the dishwasher still doesn’t turn on. I unplugged overnight and plug it back on and still nothing
Hello,
My Samsung dishwasher showing two blinking lights Smart Auto and Heavy I checked the water supply and the drain both looks fine. any suggestions/help?
You need to check the water level sensor/probes on the water inlet housing (plastic transparent thing) on the left side. Sometimes it gets gunk up and needs to cleaned. Also blow out black hose connected to the sump (you will see once you take it apart) and to the housing.
Hello,
I have Samsung dishwasher which keeps flashing at heavy and turning on itself. We have cleaned the main board but same issue.
Also cannot turn it off with power. Had to turn it off from main circuit board.
Any help is much appreciated.
There is a leak underneath the dishwasher…
I seriously need a diagram. My son installed a new disposal and forgot to remove the plug blocking the *optional dishwasher drain. He connected the dishwasher hose. My daughter began running a cycle of dishes, not knowing it was blocked. Now it’s flashing NORMAL. We have virtually disassembled this thing and have found nothing awry. I used my vacuum to suck out all the water from the hose, knocked out the plug, and hooked it back up, reset the breaker, and still DING DING DING and flashing NORMAL. Any suggestions?
Normal light flashing – there is a leak in the lower pan of the dishwasher. I would clean that pan, assemble dishwasher back and run it for 1 cycle without putting it under countertop, to see where water is coming from.
Turn off power to breaker to reset? Is it the same as unplugging the dw? If not, why?
Yes, it is the same thing
I have a samsung diaswasher dmt300rmf and the heavy and quick light are blinking, what does that mean and what can i do to fix it?
I need help. All of a sudden my Samsung dishwasher stopped working after a contractor replaced my kitchen faucet. I swear it’s something he did wrong, because all of a sudden it doesn’t work. It fills up but I don’t think all the way. It drains and drains but never washes. Keeps draining and then flashes “normal, heavy and smart auto”. The dishwasher tab drawer never opens and I see food residue on the bottom of dishwasher even though no dishes are in there. Samsung model DW7933LRASR. Sears technical told me it would cost around $350 to fix. But I know or hope it’s a simple fix; something I can do. Help a female in NJ.
If NORMAL+HEAVY+SMART AUTO is flashing that means (most likely) water fill assembly (case sensor assembly) partially clogged and the dishwasher control board can not see how much water coming in the dishwasher. This assembly located on the left side of the dishwasher. I hope this video will help https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW8lGqK6xyE
I have a samsung dishwasher, model DW80N303OUS and the normal light keeps blinking. Machine sounds like it is draining but no water is in the machine. The dishes are not dry. I turned the breaker off but this did not change anything. Any and all help is appreciated.
Flashing NORMAL CYCLE light means there is leak. You need to pull dishwasher out and remove left metal cover on the side. Maybe you will be able to figure where leak coming from. Then you need to lay dishwasher on its back or on the right side, be prepare to catch some water. Remove bottom cover, underneath dishwasher.. You will see leak sensor. Wipe that area, to remove residual water and assemble it back.
If the drain hose is unhooked from the garbage disposal should you be able to blow that clearly. It is Not releasing the water from the machine.
I had to turn off the water supply to the house for an unrelated plumbing issue. When I turned the water back on, I got the Normal light blinking. When I hit start, the machine drains for about 2 minutes and then stops making noise and the Normal light continues to blink. I’ve turned off the breaker for 15 minutes, but no luck. Suggestions?
did you ever figure it out? We had a broken water main nearby and had no water. As soon as that happened, our normal light started blinking. Haven’t been able to figure it out
Is there a button combo to press to reset my Samsung Dishwasher, DW80R2031?
Why do you need to reset dishwasher? Usually, you need to turn power OFF on the breaker panel to reset the control board, but as I know there is no procedure to reset it through the buttons
Thanks for the info. The float was stuck to the bottom. Works fine now.
You are welcome
Great guide! Mine was just junked up with scale. I filled mine with 50/50 CLR and water, and set it aside for 2 hours. Then carefully shake it for a few minutes with your fingers in the two main holes. Rinse off with water and repeat. Do it a couple times and your good.
Thanks Austin